Panasonic FX580 vs Pentax K100D S

Its time to look closer at the Panasonic FX580 vs Pentax K100D S, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by manufacturers Panasonic and Pentax. There exists a significant gap among the resolutions of the FX580 (12MP) and K100D S (6MP) and the FX580 (1/2.3") and K100D S (APS-C) use totally different sensor size.

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The FX580 was introduced 20 months later than the K100D S making the cameras a generation apart from one another. Both the cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic FX580 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K100D S being a Compact SLR camera.

Before we go through a more detailed comparison, below is a simple synopsis of how the FX580 matches up against the K100D S in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

The following is a sample of the gallery pictures for Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX580 and Pentax K100D Super. The whole galleries are viewable at Panasonic FX580 Gallery and Pentax K100D S Gallery.

For anybody who is intending to carry your camera often, you should consider its weight and measurements. The Panasonic FX580 has external measurements of 95mm x 57mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") having a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs) whilst the Pentax K100D S has proportions of 129mm x 91mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.6" x 2.8") and a weight of 646 grams (1.42 lbs).

Contrast the Panasonic FX580 vs Pentax K100D S in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you have during that time. Following is the front view physical size comparison of the FX580 vs the K100D S.

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the FX580 and K100D S is 95 and 65 respectively.

Quite often, it is difficult to visualise the difference in sensor sizing only by looking through specs. The graphic below might give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the FX580 and K100D S.

All in all, both of those cameras have got different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The FX580 having a smaller sensor will make getting shallower depth of field trickier and the Panasonic FX580 will result in greater detail using its extra 6 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also help you crop images much more aggressively. The more modern FX580 will have an advantage in sensor technology.