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Panasonic FX580 vs Pentax Q

Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
29
Overall
32
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX580 front
 
Pentax Q front
Portability
93
Imaging
36
Features
47
Overall
40

Panasonic FX580 vs Pentax Q Key Specs

Panasonic FX580
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600 (Expand to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-125mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 167g - 95 x 57 x 22mm
  • Launched January 2009
  • Also Known as Lumix DMC-FX550
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
  • Revealed June 2011
  • Replacement is Pentax Q10
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Panasonic FX580 vs Pentax Q Overview

Its time to look closer at the Panasonic FX580 vs Pentax Q, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by manufacturers Panasonic and Pentax. The image resolution of the FX580 (12MP) and the Q (12MP) is very similar and they feature the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The FX580 was revealed 3 years earlier than the Q and that is quite a large difference as far as technology is concerned. Both of these cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic FX580 being a Compact camera and the Pentax Q being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving through a step-by-step comparison, below is a short summation of how the FX580 scores versus the Q when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FX580 over the Pentax Q

 FX580 Q 

Reasons to pick Pentax Q over the Panasonic FX580

 Q FX580 
RevealedJune 2011January 2009More recent by 29 months
Focus manually More precise focus
Display resolution460k230kClearer display (+230k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic FX580 and Pentax Q

 FX580 Q 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display measurement
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch display No Touch display

Panasonic FX580 vs Pentax Q Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to lug around your camera, you will have to factor its weight and volume. The Panasonic FX580 features outer dimensions of 95mm x 57mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs) whilst the Pentax Q has sizing of 98mm x 57mm x 31mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2") having a weight of 180 grams (0.40 lbs).

Examine the Panasonic FX580 vs Pentax Q in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you use at the time. Underneath is the front view over all size comparison of the FX580 versus the Q.

Panasonic FX580 vs Pentax Q size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the FX580 and Q is 95 and 93 respectively.

Panasonic FX580 vs Pentax Q top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FX580 vs Pentax Q Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it's tough to see the difference between sensor measurements just by reviewing specifications. The photograph here may offer you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the FX580 and Q.

Plainly, the two cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing and the identical resolution so you can expect similar quality of pictures although you might want to factor the age of the products into consideration. The older FX580 is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor technology.

Panasonic FX580 vs Pentax Q sensor size comparison

Panasonic FX580 vs Pentax Q Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FX580 vs Pentax Q Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic FX580
Portrait photography with Pentax Q
26
comes with face detection focus
no manual focus
lack of manual exposure
external flash not possible
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
45
has manual focus
high flash sync (1/2,000 seconds)
supports RAW formats
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FX580 as a Street photography camera
Pentax Q as a Street photography camera
57
image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
69
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports RAW formats
lighter than competitors (180 grams)
no moving screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FX580 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax Q as a Sports photography camera
27
image stabilization (Optical)
painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
32
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with tracking autofocus
slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
not so great battery pack (230 CIPA)
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic FX580
Travel photography with Pentax Q
58
flash built-in
reasonably wide (25mm)
missing Timelapse function
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
57
lighter than competitors (180g)
built-in flash
missing Time Lapse recording
not so great battery pack (230 per charge)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
does not feature selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic FX580
Landscape photography with Pentax Q
37
reasonably wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
lack of manual exposure
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
missing Timelapse function
51
has manual focus
switch lenses (Pentax Q mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports RAW formats
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
not so great battery pack (230 shots)
missing Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic FX580
Vlogging with Pentax Q
31
reasonably wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detection focus
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing external microphone support
34
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competitors (180 grams)
does not feature selfie friendly display
missing external mic port
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Panasonic FX580 vs Pentax Q Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FX580 and Pentax Q
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX580Pentax Q
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX580 Pentax Q
Also called as Lumix DMC-FX550 -
Class 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 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 1600 6400
Maximum enhanced ISO 6400 -
Minimum native ISO 80 125
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 11 25
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Pentax Q
Lens zoom range 25-125mm (5.0x) -
Max aperture f/2.8-5.9 -
Macro focusing distance 5cm -
Number of lenses - 8
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 230k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display technology - TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 2.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 6.00 m 5.60 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Trailing-curtain sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash sync - 1/2000 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 fps), 1280 x 720p (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 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 167 grams (0.37 pounds) 180 grams (0.40 pounds)
Dimensions 95 x 57 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") 98 x 57 x 31mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 shots
Form 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 1 1
Pricing at release $499 $695