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Panasonic FX48 vs Pentax Q

Portability
95
Imaging
34
Features
21
Overall
28
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX48 front
 
Pentax Q front
Portability
93
Imaging
35
Features
47
Overall
39

Panasonic FX48 vs Pentax Q Key Specs

Panasonic FX48
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200 (Expand to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 25-125mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 150g - 95 x 53 x 22mm
  • Launched January 2009
  • Also Known as Lumix DMC-FX40
Pentax Q
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax Q Mount
  • 180g - 98 x 57 x 31mm
  • Announced June 2011
  • Later Model is Pentax Q10
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Panasonic FX48 vs Pentax Q Overview

Here is a extended overview of the Panasonic FX48 and Pentax Q, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by competitors Panasonic and Pentax. The image resolution of the FX48 (12MP) and the Q (12MP) is very similar and they come with the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The FX48 was brought out 3 years before the Q and that is quite a sizable gap as far as technology is concerned. Both of the cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic FX48 being a Compact camera and the Pentax Q being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before getting in to a step-by-step comparison, below is a short view of how the FX48 scores against the Q when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FX48 over the Pentax Q

 FX48 Q 

Reasons to pick Pentax Q over the Panasonic FX48

 Q FX48 
AnnouncedJune 2011January 2009Fresher by 29 months
Focus manually Dial exact focusing
Display sizing3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution460k230kSharper display (+230k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic FX48 and Pentax Q

 FX48 Q 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch display Missing Touch display

Panasonic FX48 vs Pentax Q Physical Comparison

If you're planning to carry your camera, you need to consider its weight and volume. The Panasonic FX48 offers outer dimensions of 95mm x 53mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.9") with a weight of 150 grams (0.33 lbs) and the Pentax Q has sizing of 98mm x 57mm x 31mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2") and a weight of 180 grams (0.40 lbs).

Take a look at the Panasonic FX48 and Pentax Q in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you select at the time. Following is the front view sizing comparison of the FX48 against the Q.

Panasonic FX48 vs Pentax Q size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the FX48 and Q is 95 and 93 respectively.

Panasonic FX48 vs Pentax Q top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FX48 vs Pentax Q Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it can be difficult to visualise the difference between sensor sizing only by reading technical specs. The graphic underneath may provide you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the FX48 and Q.

As you can tell, the two cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing and the same megapixels and you should expect similar quality of photographs however you should always factor the production date of the products into consideration. The older FX48 is going to be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

Panasonic FX48 vs Pentax Q sensor size comparison

Panasonic FX48 vs Pentax Q Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FX48 vs Pentax Q Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FX48 Portrait photography info
Pentax Q Portrait photography info
27
offers face detect focusing
no manual focus
no external flash support
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW support
45
manual focus
high flash sync (1/2,000 seconds)
saves RAW formats
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FX48 as a Street photography camera
Pentax Q as a Street photography camera
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW support
69
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
saves RAW formats
lighter than others in class (180 grams)
no articulating screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic FX48
Sports photography with Pentax Q
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
MP count low (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
31
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers tracking focus
slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
low megapixels (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
not so great battery (230 shots)
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FX48 Travel photography highlights
Pentax Q Travel photography highlights
58
has built in flash
really wide (25mm)
missing Timelapse recording
MP count low (12 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
57
lighter than others in class (180 grams)
has built in flash
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
not so great battery (230 per charge)
low megapixels (12MP)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FX48 Landscape photography details
Pentax Q Landscape photography details
33
really wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
tiny screen (2.5 inches)
MP count low (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW support
missing Timelapse recording
51
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Pentax Q mount)
nice screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
saves RAW formats
low megapixels (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
not so great battery (230 shots)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FX48 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax Q as a Vlogging camera
30
really wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detect focusing
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is not selfie friendly
low quality video (640 x 480 resolution)
missing microphone support
34
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than others in class (180 grams)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
doesn't have mic port
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Panasonic FX48 vs Pentax Q Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FX48 and Pentax Q
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX48Pentax Q
General Information
Brand Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX48 Pentax Q
Also Known as Lumix DMC-FX40 -
Category Small Sensor Compact Entry-Level Mirrorless
Launched 2009-01-27 2011-06-23
Body design Compact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CMOS
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 12 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 3200 6400
Maximum boosted ISO 6400 -
Lowest native ISO 80 125
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 11 25
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Pentax Q
Lens zoom range 25-125mm (5.0x) -
Maximal aperture f/2.8-5.9 -
Macro focusing distance 5cm -
Available lenses - 8
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.5" 3"
Display resolution 230 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology - TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/3000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 2.0 frames per sec 2.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 6.00 m 5.60 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Trailing-curtain sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync - 1/2000 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720p (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 640x480 1920x1080
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 150g (0.33 pounds) 180g (0.40 pounds)
Dimensions 95 x 53 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.9") 98 x 57 x 31mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 47
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 20.2
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 11.1
DXO Low light rating not tested 189
Other
Battery life - 230 photographs
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI68
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots One One
Price at launch $325 $695