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Panasonic FX580 vs Pentax K-r

Portability
95
Imaging
34
Features
29
Overall
32
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX580 front
 
Pentax K-r front
Portability
67
Imaging
53
Features
52
Overall
52

Panasonic FX580 vs Pentax K-r Key Specs

Panasonic FX580
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600 (Bump 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
  • Also referred to as Lumix DMC-FX550
Pentax K-r
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 12800 (Increase to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 598g - 125 x 97 x 68mm
  • Revealed March 2011
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Panasonic FX580 vs Pentax K-r Overview

Below is a complete analysis of the Panasonic FX580 versus Pentax K-r, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by rivals Panasonic and Pentax. The resolution of the FX580 (12MP) and the K-r (12MP) is relatively comparable but the FX580 (1/2.3") and K-r (APS-C) provide different sensor sizing.

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The FX580 was introduced 3 years before the K-r and that is a fairly serious gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both the cameras have different body design with the Panasonic FX580 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-r being a Compact SLR camera.

Before diving into a more detailed comparison, here is a quick summation of how the FX580 grades versus the K-r with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FX580 over the Pentax K-r

 FX580 K-r 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-r over the Panasonic FX580

 K-r FX580 
RevealedMarch 2011January 2009More recent by 25 months
Focus manually Dial accurate focus
Screen resolution921k230kSharper screen (+691k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic FX580 and Pentax K-r

 FX580 K-r 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen measurement
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither provides Touch friendly screen

Panasonic FX580 vs Pentax K-r Physical Comparison

When you are going to lug around your camera, you will need to consider its weight and size. The Panasonic FX580 provides physical 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-r has specifications of 125mm x 97mm x 68mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.7") along with a weight of 598 grams (1.32 lbs).

Check out the Panasonic FX580 versus Pentax K-r in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you choose at that moment. The following is a front view sizing comparison of the FX580 and the K-r.

Panasonic FX580 vs Pentax K-r size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the FX580 and K-r is 95 and 67 respectively.

Panasonic FX580 vs Pentax K-r top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FX580 vs Pentax K-r Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it's tough to visualize the gap in sensor measurements purely by checking out a spec sheet. The photograph here might offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the FX580 and K-r.

As you can see, both of these cameras provide the same MP albeit different sensor measurements. The FX580 provides the smaller sensor which should make obtaining shallower depth of field tougher. The older FX580 will be behind in sensor tech.

Panasonic FX580 vs Pentax K-r sensor size comparison

Panasonic FX580 vs Pentax K-r Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic FX580
Portrait photography with Pentax K-r
26
supports face detect focus
manual focus not available
manual exposure not possible
can't use external flash
MP count low (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
63
you can focus manually
nice sensor size (APS-C)
has face detection autofocus
saves RAW files
MP count low (12MP)
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic FX580
Street photography with Pentax K-r
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
67
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
no articulating screen
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FX580 Sports photography highlights
Pentax K-r Sports photography highlights
27
built in image stabilization (Optical)
continuous shooting slow (2.0 frames per second)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
55
great max shutter speed (1/6,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports phase detect autofocus
painfully slow continuous shooting (6.0 fps)
MP count low (12MP)
bad battery (470 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FX580 Travel photography advice
Pentax K-r Travel photography advice
58
built-in flash
relatively wide (25mm)
missing Timelapse mode
MP count low (12MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f2.8)
47
flash built-in
bad battery (470 shots)
MP count low (12MP)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FX580 Landscape photography highlights
Pentax K-r Landscape photography highlights
36
relatively wide (25mm)
good sized screen (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
manual exposure not possible
MP count low (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
missing Timelapse mode
65
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
MP count low (12 megapixels)
bad battery (470 per charge)
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic FX580
Vlogging with Pentax K-r
30
relatively wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect focus
slow max aperture (f2.8)
display isn't selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing microphone jack
26
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detection autofocus
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing external mic port
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Panasonic FX580 vs Pentax K-r Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FX580 and Pentax K-r
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX580Pentax K-r
General Information
Make Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX580 Pentax K-r
Also called Lumix DMC-FX550 -
Class Small Sensor Compact Entry-Level DSLR
Introduced 2009-01-27 2011-03-11
Body design Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by - Prime II
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.6 x 15.8mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 372.9mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2 3:2
Full resolution 4000 x 3000 4288 x 2848
Max native ISO 1600 12800
Max boosted ISO 6400 25600
Min native ISO 80 200
RAW files
Min boosted ISO - 100
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 11 11
Cross focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens focal range 25-125mm (5.0x) -
Highest aperture f/2.8-5.9 -
Macro focus distance 5cm -
Number of lenses - 151
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 230k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology - TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 96 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.57x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000s 1/6000s
Continuous shooting speed 2.0 frames/s 6.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 6.00 m 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync Auto, Red-eye Reduction, Slow-speed Sync, Trailing Curtain Sync, High-Speed Sync and Wireless Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync - 1/180s
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
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) 1280 x 720 (25 fps), 640 x 480 (25 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
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 Optional
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 167 gr (0.37 lb) 598 gr (1.32 lb)
Physical dimensions 95 x 57 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") 125 x 97 x 68mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 72
DXO Color Depth score not tested 22.9
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 12.4
DXO Low light score not tested 755
Other
Battery life - 470 images
Battery form - Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI109,4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC
Storage slots One One
Launch cost $499 $1,100