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Panasonic FX78 vs Pentax S1

Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
31
Overall
33
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX78 front
 
Pentax Optio S1 front
Portability
93
Imaging
37
Features
31
Overall
34

Panasonic FX78 vs Pentax S1 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
  • Revealed January 2011
  • Additionally Known as Lumix DMC-FX77
Pentax S1
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 157g - 114 x 58 x 28mm
  • Introduced March 2011
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Panasonic FX78 vs Pentax S1 Overview

Below, we will be reviewing the Panasonic FX78 and Pentax S1, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by competitors Panasonic and Pentax. The image resolution of the FX78 (12MP) and the S1 (14MP) is pretty comparable and they possess the exact same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The FX78 was launched very close to the S1 and they are both of a similar age. Both cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before delving in to a detailed comparison, below is a simple highlight of how the FX78 matches up versus the S1 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FX78 over the Pentax S1

 FX78 S1 
Screen dimension3.5"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.8")
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax S1 over the Panasonic FX78

 S1 FX78 
Manually focus More accurate focusing

Common features in the Panasonic FX78 and Pentax S1

 FX78 S1 
IntroducedJanuary 2011March 2011Same age
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kThe same screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen

Panasonic FX78 vs Pentax S1 Physical Comparison

If you are going to lug around your camera, you'll need to take into account its weight and proportions. The Panasonic FX78 offers outer 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 S1 has measurements of 114mm x 58mm x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") with a weight of 157 grams (0.35 lbs).

Analyze the Panasonic FX78 and Pentax S1 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you have chosen during that time. The following is the front view size comparison of the FX78 compared to the S1.

Panasonic FX78 vs Pentax S1 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the FX78 and S1 is 95 and 93 respectively.

Panasonic FX78 vs Pentax S1 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FX78 vs Pentax S1 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it can be hard to envision the gap in sensor measurements just by checking out technical specs. The graphic below will give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the FX78 and S1.

As you have seen, each of the cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements albeit not the same resolution. You can expect the Pentax S1 to show extra detail utilizing its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will allow you to crop photographs somewhat more aggressively.

Panasonic FX78 vs Pentax S1 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FX78 vs Pentax S1 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FX78 vs Pentax S1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FX78 Portrait photography features
Pentax S1 Portrait photography features
21
manual focus not available
manual mode not possible
external flash not possible
low MP (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
35
manual focus
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
lack of manual exposure
cannot use external flash
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic FX78
Street photography with Pentax S1
57
has image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
56
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
screen does not articulate
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FX78 Sports photography information
Pentax S1 Sports photography information
28
has image stabilization (Optical)
provides tracking focus
max shutter speed is low (1/1,400s)
continuous shooting slow (4.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
low MP (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
not so great battery (200 CIPA)
has no phase detect AF
39
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count decent (14MP)
includes tracking autofocus
max fps low (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FX78 Travel photography highlights
Pentax S1 Travel photography highlights
56
built-in flash
pretty wide (24mm)
no Time Lapse function
not so great battery (200 shots)
low MP (12MP)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f2.5)
64
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
really wide (28mm)
missing Timelapse function
screen is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic FX78
Landscape photography with Pentax S1
36
pretty wide (24mm)
screen larger than average (3.5")
has image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.5)
manual mode not possible
low MP (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
not so great battery (200 CIPA)
no Time Lapse function
42
manual focus
really wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count decent (14MP)
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
small screen (2.7")
lack of manual exposure
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
missing Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FX78 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax S1 as a Vlogging camera
33
pretty wide (24mm)
screen is touchscreen
has image stabilization (Optical)
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
slow max aperture (f2.5)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
no mic jack
28
really wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen is not selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing external microphone socket
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Panasonic FX78 vs Pentax S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FX78 and Pentax S1
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX78Pentax Optio S1
General Information
Company Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX78 Pentax Optio S1
Also Known as Lumix DMC-FX77 -
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2011-01-25 2011-03-02
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Venus Engine FHD -
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4000 x 3000 4288 x 3216
Highest native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-120mm (5.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Maximum aperture f/2.5-5.9 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focusing distance 5cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3.5" 2.7"
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen tech TFT LCD TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 secs 4 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/1400 secs 1/1500 secs
Continuous shutter rate 4.0 frames per second 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 5.60 m 3.90 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
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 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file 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 None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 142g (0.31 lbs) 157g (0.35 lbs)
Dimensions 100 x 55 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") 114 x 58 x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 200 photographs 260 photographs
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Pricing at release $210 $174