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Panasonic FX78 vs Pentax K-r

Portability
95
Imaging
36
Features
31
Overall
34
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX78 front
 
Pentax K-r front
Portability
67
Imaging
53
Features
52
Overall
52

Panasonic FX78 vs Pentax K-r 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
  • Released January 2011
  • Additionally referred to as Lumix DMC-FX77
Pentax K-r
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 12800 (Push to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 598g - 125 x 97 x 68mm
  • Released March 2011
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Panasonic FX78 vs Pentax K-r Overview

In this write-up, we are analyzing the Panasonic FX78 and Pentax K-r, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by brands Panasonic and Pentax. The resolution of the FX78 (12MP) and the K-r (12MP) is very similar but the FX78 (1/2.3") and K-r (APS-C) enjoy totally different sensor size.

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The FX78 was released at a similar time to the K-r which means that they are of a similar generation. Both of the cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic FX78 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-r being a Compact SLR camera.

Before diving straight into a step-by-step comparison, below is a quick introduction of how the FX78 grades versus the K-r in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FX78 over the Pentax K-r

 FX78 K-r 
Display sizing3.5"3"Larger display (+0.5")
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K-r over the Panasonic FX78

 K-r FX78 
Manually focus More accurate focusing
Display resolution921k230kSharper display (+691k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic FX78 and Pentax K-r

 FX78 K-r 
ReleasedJanuary 2011March 2011Similar generation
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen

Panasonic FX78 vs Pentax K-r Physical Comparison

In case you're aiming to travel with your camera, you should factor in its weight and size. The Panasonic FX78 has outer 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) whilst the Pentax K-r has specifications of 125mm x 97mm x 68mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.7") along with a weight of 598 grams (1.32 lbs).

Check out the Panasonic FX78 and Pentax K-r in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are employing during that time. Following is the front view measurements comparison of the FX78 compared to the K-r.

Panasonic FX78 vs Pentax K-r size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the FX78 and K-r is 95 and 67 respectively.

Panasonic FX78 vs Pentax K-r top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FX78 vs Pentax K-r Sensor Comparison

Often, it is hard to envision the contrast between sensor dimensions purely by reading technical specs. The image below will help provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the FX78 and K-r.

As you have seen, both of those cameras enjoy the same exact resolution but not the same sensor dimensions. The FX78 offers the tinier sensor which will make obtaining shallower DOF more difficult.

Panasonic FX78 vs Pentax K-r sensor size comparison

Panasonic FX78 vs Pentax K-r Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FX78 Portrait photography info
Pentax K-r Portrait photography info
21
lack of manual focus
lack of manual exposure
can't use external flash
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
63
you can focus manually
decent sensor size (APS-C)
includes face detect focus
delivers RAW files
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FX78 Street photography features
Pentax K-r Street photography features
57
image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
67
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
no moving screen
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FX78 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax K-r as a Sports photography camera
29
image stabilization (Optical)
provides tracking autofocus
maximum shutter speed is a little low (1/1,400s)
continuous shooting slow (4.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
bad battery (200 CIPA)
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
55
great max shutter speed (1/6,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect auto focus
slow continuous shooting (6.0 fps)
low resolution sensor (12MP)
terrible battery life (470 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FX78 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax K-r as a Travel photography camera
56
has built in flash
pretty wide (24mm)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
bad battery (200 per charge)
low megapixels (12MP)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f2.5)
47
flash built-in
terrible battery life (470 shots)
low resolution sensor (12MP)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FX78 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax K-r as a Landscape photography camera
36
pretty wide (24mm)
lovely big screen (3.5 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.5)
lack of manual exposure
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
bad battery (200 per charge)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
65
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
terrible battery life (470 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic FX78
Vlogging with Pentax K-r
34
pretty wide (24mm)
touchscreen functionality
image stabilization (Optical)
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
slow max aperture (f2.5)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
doesn't have external microphone port
26
image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detect focus
does not have a selfie friendly screen
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have microphone socket
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Panasonic FX78 vs Pentax K-r Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FX78 and Pentax K-r
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX78Pentax K-r
General Information
Company Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX78 Pentax K-r
Also called Lumix DMC-FX77 -
Class Small Sensor Compact Entry-Level DSLR
Released 2011-01-25 2011-03-11
Physical type Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Venus Engine FHD Prime II
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.6 x 15.8mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 372.9mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Max resolution 4000 x 3000 4288 x 2848
Max native ISO 6400 12800
Max enhanced ISO - 25600
Lowest native ISO 100 200
RAW files
Lowest enhanced ISO - 100
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 11 11
Cross focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens focal range 24-120mm (5.0x) -
Maximum aperture f/2.5-5.9 -
Macro focus range 5cm -
Total lenses - 151
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3.5 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 230k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen tech TFT LCD TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 96 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.57x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/1400 seconds 1/6000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 4.0fps 6.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 5.60 m 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, Red-eye Reduction, Slow-speed Sync, Trailing Curtain Sync, High-Speed Sync and Wireless Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize - 1/180 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
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) 1280 x 720 (25 fps), 640 x 480 (25 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4, AVCHD Motion JPEG
Microphone port
Headphone port
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 sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 142 grams (0.31 lbs) 598 grams (1.32 lbs)
Dimensions 100 x 55 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") 125 x 97 x 68mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 72
DXO Color Depth score not tested 22.9
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 12.4
DXO Low light score not tested 755
Other
Battery life 200 shots 470 shots
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI109,4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC
Card slots 1 1
Pricing at release $210 $1,100