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Panasonic FX78 vs Pentax ist DS2

Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
31
Overall
33
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX78 front
 
Pentax ist DS2 front
Portability
68
Imaging
44
Features
33
Overall
39

Panasonic FX78 vs Pentax ist DS2 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 ist DS2
(Full Review)
  • 6MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 3200
  • Pentax KAF Mount
  • 605g - 125 x 93 x 66mm
  • Introduced August 2005
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Panasonic FX78 vs Pentax ist DS2 Overview

Here, we are reviewing the Panasonic FX78 and Pentax ist DS2, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Advanced DSLR by brands Panasonic and Pentax. There exists a big gap among the resolutions of the FX78 (12MP) and ist DS2 (6MP) and the FX78 (1/2.3") and ist DS2 (APS-C) posses totally different sensor size.

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The FX78 was announced 5 years later than the ist DS2 and that is a fairly big gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of these cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic FX78 being a Compact camera and the Pentax ist DS2 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before we go into a in-depth comparison, here is a concise synopsis of how the FX78 scores vs the ist DS2 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FX78 over the Pentax ist DS2

 FX78 ist DS2 
IntroducedJanuary 2011August 2005Fresher by 67 months
Display size3.5"2.5"Larger display (+1")
Display resolution230k210kClearer display (+20k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax ist DS2 over the Panasonic FX78

 ist DS2 FX78 
Manually focus Dial precise focus

Common features in the Panasonic FX78 and Pentax ist DS2

 FX78 ist DS2 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen

Panasonic FX78 vs Pentax ist DS2 Physical Comparison

For those who are intending to carry your camera, you should take into account its weight and volume. The Panasonic FX78 enjoys physical measurements of 100mm x 55mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") accompanied by a weight of 142 grams (0.31 lbs) while the Pentax ist DS2 has sizing of 125mm x 93mm x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6") along with a weight of 605 grams (1.33 lbs).

Compare the Panasonic FX78 and Pentax ist DS2 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you have at that moment. Following is a front view dimensions comparison of the FX78 vs the ist DS2.

Panasonic FX78 vs Pentax ist DS2 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the FX78 and ist DS2 is 95 and 68 respectively.

Panasonic FX78 vs Pentax ist DS2 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FX78 vs Pentax ist DS2 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it's difficult to envision the contrast in sensor sizing only by looking through specs. The visual below might offer you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the FX78 and ist DS2.

As you can plainly see, both of the cameras feature different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The FX78 having a smaller sensor will make achieving bokeh harder and the Panasonic FX78 will provide you with greater detail with its extra 6MP. Greater resolution will let you crop images way more aggressively. The more recent FX78 will have an advantage when it comes to sensor technology.

Panasonic FX78 vs Pentax ist DS2 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FX78 vs Pentax ist DS2 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FX78 vs Pentax ist DS2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FX78 Portrait photography info
Pentax ist DS2 Portrait photography info
21
lack of manual focus
no manual control
can't use external flash
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
50
has manual focus
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW files
does not have liveview
low megapixels (6 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FX78 Street photography info
Pentax ist DS2 Street photography info
57
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
60
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW files
lighter than competition (605g)
screen is fixed
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FX78 Sports photography highlights
Pentax ist DS2 Sports photography highlights
28
built in image stabilization (Optical)
features tracking autofocus
max shutter speed is low (1/1,400s)
continuous shooting slow (4.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
MP count low (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
low battery pack (200 per charge)
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
38
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
comes with phase detect autofocus
does not have liveview
slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
does not have image stabilization
low megapixels (6MP)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic FX78
Travel photography with Pentax ist DS2
56
built-in flash
fairly wide (24mm)
lack of Time Lapse function
low battery pack (200 CIPA)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f2.5)
52
lighter than competition (605 grams)
has built in flash
lack of Timelapse recording
low megapixels (6 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FX78 Landscape photography factors
Pentax ist DS2 Landscape photography factors
36
fairly wide (24mm)
lovely big screen (3.5 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.5)
no manual control
MP count low (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
low battery pack (200 CIPA)
lack of Time Lapse function
46
has manual focus
switch lenses (Pentax KAF mount)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW files
small screen (2.5 inch)
does not have liveview
does not have image stabilization
low megapixels (6 megapixels)
lack of Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic FX78
Vlogging with Pentax ist DS2
33
fairly wide (24mm)
touchscreen functionality
built in image stabilization (Optical)
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
sluggish max aperture (f2.5)
display is not selfie friendly
lack of external mic socket
22
lighter than competition (605 grams)
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
video quality not great ( resolution)
lack of external microphone socket
Photography Glossary

Panasonic FX78 vs Pentax ist DS2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FX78 and Pentax ist DS2
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX78Pentax ist DS2
General Information
Company Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX78 Pentax ist DS2
Alternate name Lumix DMC-FX77 -
Category Small Sensor Compact Advanced DSLR
Released 2011-01-25 2005-08-22
Physical type Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by Venus Engine FHD -
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 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
Peak resolution 4000 x 3000 3008 x 2008
Highest native ISO 6400 3200
Minimum native ISO 100 200
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 11 11
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Pentax KAF
Lens focal range 24-120mm (5.0x) -
Max aperture f/2.5-5.9 -
Macro focus range 5cm -
Number of lenses - 151
Crop factor 5.9 1.5
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3.5 inch 2.5 inch
Display resolution 230k dots 210k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display tech TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical
Viewfinder coverage - 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.64x
Features
Min shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/1400 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 4.0 frames per second 3.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 5.60 m -
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-eye reduction
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance 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) -
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 -
Video file format MPEG-4, AVCHD -
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None No
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 1.0 (1.5 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 142 gr (0.31 pounds) 605 gr (1.33 pounds)
Physical dimensions 100 x 55 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") 125 x 93 x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 -
Battery type 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
Pricing at release $210 -