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Panasonic FX78 vs Pentax K-500

Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
31
Overall
33
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX78 front
 
Pentax K-500 front
Portability
64
Imaging
58
Features
70
Overall
62

Panasonic FX78 vs Pentax K-500 Key Specs

Panasonic FX78
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-120mm (F2.5-5.9) lens
  • 142g - 100 x 55 x 21mm
  • Released January 2011
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-FX77
Pentax K-500
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 646g - 130 x 97 x 71mm
  • Introduced November 2013
Photography Glossary

Panasonic FX78 vs Pentax K-500 Overview

In this write-up, we will be reviewing the Panasonic FX78 versus Pentax K-500, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by competitors Panasonic and Pentax. There exists a large gap between the image resolutions of the FX78 (12MP) and K-500 (16MP) and the FX78 (1/2.3") and K-500 (APS-C) possess different sensor measurements.

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The FX78 was unveiled 3 years earlier than the K-500 and that is quite a serious difference as far as technology is concerned. Each of these cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic FX78 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-500 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before delving through a more detailed comparison, below is a simple overview of how the FX78 grades vs the K-500 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FX78 over the Pentax K-500

 FX78 K-500 
Screen sizing3.5"3"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K-500 over the Panasonic FX78

 K-500 FX78 
IntroducedNovember 2013January 2011Fresher by 34 months
Manually focus Very accurate focus
Screen resolution921k230kClearer screen (+691k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic FX78 and Pentax K-500

 FX78 K-500 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen

Panasonic FX78 vs Pentax K-500 Physical Comparison

In case you're going to carry your camera, you'll have to think about its weight and volume. The Panasonic FX78 features exterior dimensions of 100mm x 55mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") along with a weight of 142 grams (0.31 lbs) while the Pentax K-500 has sizing of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") and a weight of 646 grams (1.42 lbs).

Compare the Panasonic FX78 versus Pentax K-500 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are utilising during that time. Here is the front view proportions comparison of the FX78 compared to the K-500.

Panasonic FX78 vs Pentax K-500 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the FX78 and K-500 is 95 and 64 respectively.

Panasonic FX78 vs Pentax K-500 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FX78 vs Pentax K-500 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it's tough to imagine the gap between sensor sizing just by checking specs. The graphic underneath should give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the FX78 and K-500.

As you can plainly see, both the cameras offer different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The FX78 having a tinier sensor is going to make getting shallower DOF harder and the Pentax K-500 will resolve greater detail having an extra 4MP. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop photographs a little more aggressively. The older FX78 is going to be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.

Panasonic FX78 vs Pentax K-500 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FX78 vs Pentax K-500 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FX78 vs Pentax K-500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FX78 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax K-500 as a Portrait photography camera
21
manual focus not available
manual exposure not available
cannot use external flash
MP count low (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
74
has manual focus
megapixel count good (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
has face detection focusing
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic FX78
Street photography with Pentax K-500
57
image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
68
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
good high ISO (51,600)
no moving screen
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FX78 Sports photography information
Pentax K-500 Sports photography information
28
image stabilization (Optical)
comes with tracking focus
max shutter speed is low (1/1,400s)
max frames per second low (4.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
MP count low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
not so great battery (200 shots)
lacks phase detect autofocus
72
maximum shutter speed is high (1/6,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
has tracking autofocus
good battery pack (710 shots)
sensor has phase detect AF
max frames per second very slow (6.0 fps)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FX78 Travel photography details
Pentax K-500 Travel photography details
56
built-in flash
really wide (24mm)
does not have Timelapse function
not so great battery (200 shots)
MP count low (12MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f2.5)
67
good battery pack (710 per charge)
megapixel count good (16MP)
built-in flash
does not contain selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FX78 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax K-500 as a Landscape photography camera
36
really wide (24mm)
bigger than average screen (3.5 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.5)
manual exposure not available
MP count low (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
not so great battery (200 shots)
does not have Timelapse function
79
has manual focus
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
good high ISO (51,600)
supports RAW formats
good battery pack (710 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FX78 Vlogging highlights
Pentax K-500 Vlogging highlights
33
really wide (24mm)
screen is touchscreen
image stabilization (Optical)
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
slow max aperture (f2.5)
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have microphone support
30
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detection focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does not contain selfie friendly display
lack of external mic jack
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Panasonic FX78 vs Pentax K-500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FX78 and Pentax K-500
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX78Pentax K-500
General Information
Make Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX78 Pentax K-500
Alternative name Lumix DMC-FX77 -
Type Small Sensor Compact Entry-Level DSLR
Released 2011-01-25 2013-11-27
Body design Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by Venus Engine FHD PRIME M
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Max resolution 4000 x 3000 4928 x 3264
Max native ISO 6400 51600
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 11 11
Cross type focus points - 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens zoom range 24-120mm (5.0x) -
Highest aperture f/2.5-5.9 -
Macro focusing distance 5cm -
Number of lenses - 151
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3.5 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 230k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display technology TFT LCD TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.61x
Features
Min shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/1400 seconds 1/6000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 4.0 frames/s 6.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 5.60 m 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync, Slow Sync+Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync - 1/180 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported 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 (30,25,24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60,50,30,25,24 fps), 640 x 424 (30,25,24 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, AVCHD MPEG-4, H.264
Mic input
Headphone input
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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 142g (0.31 pounds) 646g (1.42 pounds)
Dimensions 100 x 55 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 79
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.7
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 13.1
DXO Low light rating not tested 1087
Other
Battery life 200 photographs 710 photographs
Style of battery Battery Pack AA
Battery ID - 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots One One
Cost at release $210 $600