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Panasonic FX78 vs Pentax K100D

Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
31
Overall
33
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX78 front
 
Pentax K100D front
Portability
64
Imaging
45
Features
36
Overall
41

Panasonic FX78 vs Pentax K100D 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
  • Announced January 2011
  • Additionally referred to as Lumix DMC-FX77
Pentax K100D
(Full Review)
  • 6MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Pentax KAF Mount
  • 660g - 129 x 93 x 70mm
  • Announced December 2006
  • Renewed by Pentax K100D S
Photography Glossary

Panasonic FX78 vs Pentax K100D Overview

Lets look more closely at the Panasonic FX78 and Pentax K100D, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by rivals Panasonic and Pentax. There exists a sizeable gap between the resolutions of the FX78 (12MP) and K100D (6MP) and the FX78 (1/2.3") and K100D (APS-C) provide totally different sensor measurements.

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The FX78 was announced 4 years later than the K100D and that is quite a large gap as far as technology is concerned. Both of the cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic FX78 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K100D being a Compact SLR camera.

Before delving right into a comprehensive comparison, here is a quick introduction of how the FX78 grades versus the K100D with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FX78 over the Pentax K100D

 FX78 K100D 
AnnouncedJanuary 2011December 2006Fresher by 51 months
Screen size3.5"2.5"Bigger screen (+1")
Screen resolution230k210kSharper screen (+20k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K100D over the Panasonic FX78

 K100D FX78 
Manual focus More precise focus

Common features in the Panasonic FX78 and Pentax K100D

 FX78 K100D 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen

Panasonic FX78 vs Pentax K100D Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to carry your camera, you should factor in its weight and proportions. The Panasonic FX78 has external 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) and the Pentax K100D has measurements of 129mm x 93mm x 70mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.8") with a weight of 660 grams (1.46 lbs).

Check the Panasonic FX78 and Pentax K100D in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you have at the time. Here is a front view overall size comparison of the FX78 versus the K100D.

Panasonic FX78 vs Pentax K100D size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the FX78 and K100D is 95 and 64 respectively.

Panasonic FX78 vs Pentax K100D top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FX78 vs Pentax K100D Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, its difficult to envision the gap between sensor sizing only by checking technical specs. The photograph here will help offer you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the FX78 and K100D.

As you have seen, both of the cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The FX78 having a tinier sensor will make achieving shallower DOF more difficult and the Panasonic FX78 will give you more detail with its extra 6MP. Higher resolution can also help you crop photographs way more aggressively. The newer FX78 will have an edge when it comes to sensor tech.

Panasonic FX78 vs Pentax K100D sensor size comparison

Panasonic FX78 vs Pentax K100D Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FX78 vs Pentax K100D Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FX78 Portrait photography information
Pentax K100D Portrait photography information
21
manual focus not available
no manual control
can't use external flash
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
51
manual focus
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW files
no liveview feature
MP count low (6 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FX78 Street photography factors
Pentax K100D Street photography factors
57
image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
58
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW files
screen is fixed
heavier than competition in class (660g)
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FX78 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax K100D as a Sports photography camera
28
image stabilization (Optical)
provides tracking autofocus
maximum shutter speed is a little low (1/1,400 seconds)
max frames per second low (4.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
low battery power (200 CIPA)
does not have phase detect auto focus
47
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
has phase detect autofocus
no liveview feature
continuous shooting slow (3.0 frames per second)
MP count low (6 megapixels)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FX78 Travel photography advice
Pentax K100D Travel photography advice
56
has built in flash
relatively wide (24mm)
lack of Time Lapse function
low battery power (200 per charge)
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f2.5)
42
has built in flash
missing Time Lapse mode
heavier than competition in class (660g)
MP count low (6 megapixels)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic FX78
Landscape photography with Pentax K100D
36
relatively wide (24mm)
bigger than average screen (3.5 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.5)
no manual control
resolution not great (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
low battery power (200 CIPA)
lack of Time Lapse function
52
manual focus
switch lenses (Pentax KAF mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW files
small screen (2.5 inch)
no liveview feature
MP count low (6 megapixels)
missing Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FX78 Vlogging info
Pentax K100D Vlogging info
33
relatively wide (24mm)
touchscreen
image stabilization (Optical)
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
sluggish max aperture (f2.5)
display is not selfie friendly
lack of external mic support
9
can't record video
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Panasonic FX78 vs Pentax K100D Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FX78 and Pentax K100D
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX78Pentax K100D
General Information
Company Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX78 Pentax K100D
Also Known as Lumix DMC-FX77 -
Type Small Sensor Compact Entry-Level DSLR
Announced 2011-01-25 2006-12-03
Physical type Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by Venus Engine FHD -
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 6 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Maximum resolution 4000 x 3000 3008 x 2008
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Min native ISO 100 200
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 11 11
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Pentax KAF
Lens focal range 24-120mm (5.0x) -
Highest aperture f/2.5-5.9 -
Macro focus distance 5cm -
Number of lenses - 151
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1.5
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3.5" 2.5"
Display resolution 230k dots 210k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display technology TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 96 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.57x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/1400 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 4.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 5.60 m -
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-eye reduction
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize - 1/180 secs
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) -
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video format MPEG-4, AVCHD -
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 142 gr (0.31 lb) 660 gr (1.46 lb)
Physical dimensions 100 x 55 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") 129 x 93 x 70mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 200 photographs -
Form of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model - 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/MMC card
Card slots 1 1
Price at launch $210 $0