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Panasonic FX580 vs Pentax K-01

Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
29
Overall
32
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX580 front
 
Pentax K-01 front
Portability
76
Imaging
57
Features
68
Overall
61

Panasonic FX580 vs Pentax K-01 Key Specs

Panasonic FX580
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600 (Push to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-125mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 167g - 95 x 57 x 22mm
  • Introduced January 2009
  • Other Name is Lumix DMC-FX550
Pentax K-01
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Bump to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 561g - 122 x 79 x 58mm
  • Announced May 2012
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Panasonic FX580 vs Pentax K-01 Overview

Following is a thorough overview of the Panasonic FX580 vs Pentax K-01, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by manufacturers Panasonic and Pentax. There exists a crucial gap between the sensor resolutions of the FX580 (12MP) and K-01 (16MP) and the FX580 (1/2.3") and K-01 (APS-C) offer totally different sensor size.

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The FX580 was revealed 4 years prior to the K-01 which is quite a serious gap as far as technology is concerned. The two cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic FX580 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-01 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving right into a step-by-step comparison, here is a simple summation of how the FX580 scores versus the K-01 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FX580 over the Pentax K-01

 FX580 K-01 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-01 over the Panasonic FX580

 K-01 FX580 
AnnouncedMay 2012January 2009More modern by 40 months
Focus manually Very precise focus
Screen resolution921k230kClearer screen (+691k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic FX580 and Pentax K-01

 FX580 K-01 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen size
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither has Touch friendly screen

Panasonic FX580 vs Pentax K-01 Physical Comparison

For those who are planning to carry around your camera, you should factor its weight and volume. The Panasonic FX580 has outer dimensions of 95mm x 57mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") and a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs) while the Pentax K-01 has sizing of 122mm x 79mm x 58mm (4.8" x 3.1" x 2.3") with a weight of 561 grams (1.24 lbs).

Check the Panasonic FX580 vs Pentax K-01 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are using during that time. The following is a front view proportions comparison of the FX580 compared to the K-01.

Panasonic FX580 vs Pentax K-01 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the FX580 and K-01 is 95 and 76 respectively.

Panasonic FX580 vs Pentax K-01 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FX580 vs Pentax K-01 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is hard to visualise the gap between sensor sizes only by checking specs. The pic here should provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the FX580 and K-01.

As you can plainly see, both of the cameras come with different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The FX580 with its tinier sensor will make achieving shallower DOF more difficult and the Pentax K-01 will give extra detail because of its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop shots a good deal more aggressively. The more aged FX580 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Panasonic FX580 vs Pentax K-01 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FX580 vs Pentax K-01 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FX580 vs Pentax K-01 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FX580 Portrait photography advice
Pentax K-01 Portrait photography advice
26
includes face detection autofocus
no manual focus
no manual mode
can't use external flash
low MP (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
74
you can focus manually
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
comes with face detect focus
exports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FX580 Street photography highlights
Pentax K-01 Street photography highlights
57
image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
66
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
no moving screen
heavier than competition in class (561g)
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Panasonic FX580 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax K-01 as a Sports photography camera
27
image stabilization (Optical)
max frames per second low (2.0 fps)
low MP (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
61
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
better than average battery power (540 shots)
max frames per second very slow (6.0 frames per second)
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FX580 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax K-01 as a Travel photography camera
58
built-in flash
fairly wide (25mm)
lack of Timelapse function
low MP (12 megapixels)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
65
better than average battery power (540 CIPA)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
has built in flash
heavier than competition in class (561g)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FX580 Landscape photography highlights
Pentax K-01 Landscape photography highlights
37
fairly wide (25mm)
good sized screen (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
no manual mode
low MP (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
lack of Timelapse function
80
you can focus manually
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
better than average battery power (540 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FX580 Vlogging advice
Pentax K-01 Vlogging advice
31
fairly wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detection autofocus
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of external microphone support
34
image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detect focus
good video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
comes with mic support
screen isn't selfie friendly
heavier than competition in class (561 grams)
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Panasonic FX580 vs Pentax K-01 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FX580 and Pentax K-01
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX580Pentax K-01
General Information
Company Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX580 Pentax K-01
Also called Lumix DMC-FX550 -
Class Small Sensor Compact Entry-Level Mirrorless
Introduced 2009-01-27 2012-05-30
Physical type Compact SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4000 x 3000 4928 x 3264
Highest native ISO 1600 12800
Highest boosted ISO 6400 25600
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 11 81
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens focal range 25-125mm (5.0x) -
Largest aperture f/2.8-5.9 -
Macro focus distance 5cm -
Total lenses - 151
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3" 3"
Screen resolution 230 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen technology - TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 2.0fps 6.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 6.00 m 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow-speed Sync, Trailing Curtain Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize - 1/180 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30, 25, 24 fps),1280 x 720 (60, 50, 30, 25, 24 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25, 24 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 167 gr (0.37 pounds) 561 gr (1.24 pounds)
Physical dimensions 95 x 57 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") 122 x 79 x 58mm (4.8" x 3.1" x 2.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 79
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.7
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 12.9
DXO Low light score not tested 1135
Other
Battery life - 540 pictures
Battery style - Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Single Single
Pricing at launch $499 $899