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Panasonic FX48 vs Pentax S1

Portability
95
Imaging
34
Features
21
Overall
28
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX48 front
 
Pentax Optio S1 front
Portability
93
Imaging
37
Features
31
Overall
34

Panasonic FX48 vs Pentax S1 Key Specs

Panasonic FX48
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200 (Push to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 25-125mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 150g - 95 x 53 x 22mm
  • Released January 2009
  • Also referred to as Lumix DMC-FX40
Pentax S1
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 157g - 114 x 58 x 28mm
  • Launched March 2011
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Panasonic FX48 vs Pentax S1 Overview

Here, we will be matching up the Panasonic FX48 versus Pentax S1, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by manufacturers Panasonic and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the FX48 (12MP) and the S1 (14MP) is pretty close and both cameras offer the identical sensor size (1/2.3").

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The FX48 was released 3 years before the S1 and that is a fairly significant gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of these cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before diving into a comprehensive comparison, here is a quick highlight of how the FX48 matches up vs the S1 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FX48 over the Pentax S1

 FX48 S1 

Reasons to pick Pentax S1 over the Panasonic FX48

 S1 FX48 
LaunchedMarch 2011January 2009More recent by 25 months
Focus manually Very exact focusing
Screen size2.7"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.2")

Common features in the Panasonic FX48 and Pentax S1

 FX48 S1 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kEqual screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch screen Lack of Touch screen

Panasonic FX48 vs Pentax S1 Physical Comparison

For those who are going to lug around your camera frequently, you are going to need to factor its weight and measurements. The Panasonic FX48 comes with exterior measurements of 95mm x 53mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.9") with a weight of 150 grams (0.33 lbs) whilst the Pentax S1 has proportions of 114mm x 58mm x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") having a weight of 157 grams (0.35 lbs).

Analyze the Panasonic FX48 versus Pentax S1 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you are employing at that time. Here is a front view overall size comparison of the FX48 and the S1.

Panasonic FX48 vs Pentax S1 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the FX48 and S1 is 95 and 93 respectively.

Panasonic FX48 vs Pentax S1 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FX48 vs Pentax S1 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is very difficult to visualize the difference in sensor measurements only by researching technical specs. The visual below should provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the FX48 and S1.

As you can tell, both cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit different MP. You should expect the Pentax S1 to result in extra detail as a result of its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will enable you to crop photographs way more aggressively. The older FX48 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor innovation.

Panasonic FX48 vs Pentax S1 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FX48 vs Pentax S1 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FX48 vs Pentax S1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FX48 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax S1 as a Portrait photography camera
27
supports face detect focusing
no manual focus
can't use external flash
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
35
has manual focus
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
no manual control
can't use external flash
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FX48 as a Street photography camera
Pentax S1 as a Street photography camera
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
56
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no moving screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FX48 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax S1 as a Sports photography camera
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
max frames per second very slow (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
resolution not great (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
39
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
provides tracking autofocus
max frames per second low (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FX48 Travel photography features
Pentax S1 Travel photography features
58
built-in flash
quite wide (25mm)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
does not have a selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
64
decent megapixels (14MP)
flash built-in
rather wide (28mm)
lack of Time Lapse recording
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FX48 Landscape photography information
Pentax S1 Landscape photography information
33
quite wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen is small (2.5 inches)
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
doesn't have Timelapse recording
42
has manual focus
rather wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
small screen (2.7 inches)
no manual control
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
lack of Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FX48 Vlogging features
Pentax S1 Vlogging features
30
quite wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect focusing
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
does not have a selfie friendly display
low res video (640 x 480 pixels)
doesn't have microphone socket
28
rather wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of external mic jack
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Panasonic FX48 vs Pentax S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FX48 and Pentax S1
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX48Pentax Optio S1
General Information
Brand Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX48 Pentax Optio S1
Also called as Lumix DMC-FX40 -
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Released 2009-01-27 2011-03-02
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 14MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4000 x 3000 4288 x 3216
Maximum native ISO 3200 6400
Maximum boosted ISO 6400 -
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-125mm (5.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Maximum aperture f/2.8-5.9 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focus distance 5cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.5" 2.7"
Screen resolution 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen technology - TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 seconds 4 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/3000 seconds 1/1500 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 2.0 frames per sec 1.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 6.00 m 3.90 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Maximum video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 150 gr (0.33 pounds) 157 gr (0.35 pounds)
Physical dimensions 95 x 53 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.9") 114 x 58 x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life - 260 photographs
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Pricing at launch $325 $174