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Panasonic FX78 vs Pentax K-1

Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
31
Overall
33
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX78 front
 
Pentax K-1 front
Portability
55
Imaging
76
Features
82
Overall
78

Panasonic FX78 vs Pentax K-1 Key Specs

Panasonic FX78
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-120mm (F2.5-5.9) lens
  • 142g - 100 x 55 x 21mm
  • Announced January 2011
  • Additionally Known as Lumix DMC-FX77
Pentax K-1
(Full Review)
  • 36MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 204800
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 1010g - 137 x 110 x 86mm
  • Released February 2016
  • New Model is Pentax K-1 II
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Panasonic FX78 vs Pentax K-1 Overview

Below, we will be analyzing the Panasonic FX78 vs Pentax K-1, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Advanced DSLR by brands Panasonic and Pentax. There exists a considerable gap among the resolutions of the FX78 (12MP) and K-1 (36MP) and the FX78 (1/2.3") and K-1 (Full frame) use different sensor sizes.

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The FX78 was unveiled 6 years before the K-1 and that is a fairly large difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of these cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic FX78 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-1 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before diving in to a full comparison, below is a simple summation of how the FX78 grades versus the K-1 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FX78 over the Pentax K-1

 FX78 K-1 
Screen dimension3.5"3.2"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K-1 over the Panasonic FX78

 K-1 FX78 
ReleasedFebruary 2016January 2011Fresher by 61 months
Focus manually More accurate focus
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen resolution1037k230kCrisper screen (+807k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic FX78 and Pentax K-1

 FX78 K-1 
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen

Panasonic FX78 vs Pentax K-1 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is aiming to carry your camera frequently, you need to take into account its weight and volume. The Panasonic FX78 has exterior dimensions of 100mm x 55mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") with a weight of 142 grams (0.31 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-1 has sizing of 137mm x 110mm x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4") accompanied by a weight of 1010 grams (2.23 lbs).

See the Panasonic FX78 vs Pentax K-1 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you have attached at that time. Underneath is the front view physical size comparison of the FX78 and the K-1.

Panasonic FX78 vs Pentax K-1 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the FX78 and K-1 is 95 and 55 respectively.

Panasonic FX78 vs Pentax K-1 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FX78 vs Pentax K-1 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is very difficult to visualize the gap in sensor sizing simply by seeing a spec sheet. The graphic below may offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the FX78 and K-1.

As you can see, the 2 cameras have got different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The FX78 using its smaller sensor is going to make getting shallower DOF more challenging and the Pentax K-1 will produce greater detail having an extra 24 Megapixels. Higher resolution will allow you to crop pictures much more aggressively. The older FX78 will be behind with regard to sensor innovation.

Panasonic FX78 vs Pentax K-1 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FX78 vs Pentax K-1 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FX78 vs Pentax K-1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FX78 Portrait photography details
Pentax K-1 Portrait photography details
21
lack of manual focus
manual exposure not possible
cannot use external flash
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
85
has manual focus
high sensor resolution (36MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
comes with face detect focus
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FX78 as a Street photography camera
Pentax K-1 as a Street photography camera
57
built in image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
70
screen articulates
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
weather sealing
above average high ISO (204,800)
more heavy than others in class (1,010g)
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FX78 Sports photography factors
Pentax K-1 Sports photography factors
28
built in image stabilization (Optical)
includes tracking focus
max shutter speed is low (1/1,400 seconds)
painfully slow continuous shooting (4.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
not so great battery power (200 shots)
does not have phase detect AF
76
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
high sensor resolution (36MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
comes with tracking focus
weather sealing
supports phase detect auto focus
slow frames per second (4.4 frames/s)
terrible battery life (760 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FX78 Travel photography factors
Pentax K-1 Travel photography factors
56
has built in flash
rather wide (24mm)
no Timelapse mode
not so great battery power (200 CIPA)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f2.5)
53
weather sealing
high sensor resolution (36MP)
terrible battery life (760 CIPA)
more heavy than others in class (1,010 grams)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FX78 Landscape photography advice
Pentax K-1 Landscape photography advice
36
rather wide (24mm)
screen larger than average (3.5")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.5)
manual exposure not possible
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
not so great battery power (200 per charge)
no Timelapse mode
81
has manual focus
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
nice screen size (3.2")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
high sensor resolution (36MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
doesnt have anti-alias filter
above average high ISO (204,800)
delivers RAW formats
weather sealing
two card slots
terrible battery life (760 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic FX78
Vlogging with Pentax K-1
33
rather wide (24mm)
touchscreen functionality
built in image stabilization (Optical)
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
slow maximum aperture (f2.5)
screen isn't selfie friendly
no microphone socket
31
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
comes with face detect focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
comes with microphone socket
does not have a selfie friendly screen
more heavy than others in class (1,010 grams)
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Panasonic FX78 vs Pentax K-1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FX78 and Pentax K-1
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX78Pentax K-1
General Information
Make Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX78 Pentax K-1
Alternative name Lumix DMC-FX77 -
Class Small Sensor Compact Advanced DSLR
Announced 2011-01-25 2016-02-17
Physical type Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Venus Engine FHD -
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Full frame
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 36MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 4000 x 3000 7360 x 4912
Maximum native ISO 6400 204800
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 11 33
Cross type focus points - 25
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens zoom range 24-120mm (5.0x) -
Maximal aperture f/2.5-5.9 -
Macro focusing range 5cm -
Total lenses - 151
Crop factor 5.9 1
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Screen sizing 3.5 inches 3.2 inches
Resolution of screen 230k dots 1,037k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen tech TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.7x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/1400s 1/8000s
Continuous shutter rate 4.0 frames/s 4.4 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 5.60 m no built-in flash
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto Flash Discharge, Auto Flash + Red-eye Reduction, Flash On, Flash On + Red-eye Reduction, Slow-speed Sync, Slow-speed Sync + Red-eye, P-TTL, Trailing Curtain Sync, Contrast-control-sync, High-speed sync, Wireless sync
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize - 1/200s
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, AVCHD MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Built-in
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 142 gr (0.31 lbs) 1010 gr (2.23 lbs)
Dimensions 100 x 55 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") 137 x 110 x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 96
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 25.4
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 14.6
DXO Low light rating not tested 3280
Other
Battery life 200 photographs 760 photographs
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I)
Card slots One 2
Launch pricing $210 $1,499