Panasonic FX78 vs Pentax K-3

In this article, we will be analyzing the Panasonic FX78 and Pentax K-3, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Advanced DSLR by competitors Panasonic and Pentax. There exists a huge gap among the sensor resolutions of the FX78 (12MP) and K-3 (24MP) and the FX78 (1/2.3") and K-3 (APS-C) use totally different sensor sizing.

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The FX78 was announced 4 years before the K-3 and that is a fairly significant gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic FX78 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-3 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before we go through a detailed comparison, below is a brief highlight of how the FX78 matches up against the K-3 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Below is a preview of the gallery images for Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX78 and Pentax K-3. The whole galleries are provided at Panasonic FX78 Gallery and Pentax K-3 Gallery.

For those who are going to lug around your camera, you need to factor its weight and proportions. The Panasonic FX78 has outside measurements of 100mm x 55mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") with a weight of 142 grams (0.31 lbs) and the Pentax K-3 has measurements of 131mm x 100mm x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") having a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).

See the Panasonic FX78 and Pentax K-3 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you select at that time. Below is the front view size comparison of the FX78 against the K-3.

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the FX78 and K-3 is 95 and 59 respectively.

Typically, it is tough to envision the contrast in sensor measurements purely by going through specifications. The photograph here will offer you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the FX78 and K-3.

Plainly, the 2 cameras offer different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The FX78 having a smaller sensor will make achieving shallow DOF more difficult and the Pentax K-3 will provide greater detail with its extra 12MP. Higher resolution will also let you crop photographs a little more aggressively. The older FX78 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor technology.