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Panasonic FZ100 vs Pentax K-01

Portability
67
Imaging
37
Features
62
Overall
47
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ100 front
 
Pentax K-01 front
Portability
76
Imaging
57
Features
68
Overall
61

Panasonic FZ100 vs Pentax K-01 Key Specs

Panasonic FZ100
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-600mm (F2.8-5.2) lens
  • 540g - 124 x 82 x 92mm
  • Introduced July 2010
  • Successor is Panasonic FZ200
Pentax K-01
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Raise to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 561g - 122 x 79 x 58mm
  • Released May 2012
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Panasonic FZ100 vs Pentax K-01 Overview

On this page, we will be looking at the Panasonic FZ100 vs Pentax K-01, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by manufacturers Panasonic and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the FZ100 (14MP) and the K-01 (16MP) is pretty comparable but the FZ100 (1/2.3") and K-01 (APS-C) boast different sensor dimensions.

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The FZ100 was released 22 months prior to the K-01 which makes them a generation away from one another. Both of the cameras have different body design with the Panasonic FZ100 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Pentax K-01 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before getting into a complete comparison, here is a quick view of how the FZ100 scores vs the K-01 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FZ100 over the Pentax K-01

 FZ100 K-01 
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Pentax K-01 over the Panasonic FZ100

 K-01 FZ100 
ReleasedMay 2012July 2010More modern by 22 months
Screen resolution921k460kSharper screen (+461k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic FZ100 and Pentax K-01

 FZ100 K-01 
Focus manually Dial exact focusing
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen sizing
Touch friendly screen Neither has Touch friendly screen

Panasonic FZ100 vs Pentax K-01 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is going to carry around your camera regularly, you're going to have to factor in its weight and measurements. The Panasonic FZ100 has exterior dimensions of 124mm x 82mm x 92mm (4.9" x 3.2" x 3.6") accompanied by a weight of 540 grams (1.19 lbs) and the Pentax K-01 has proportions of 122mm x 79mm x 58mm (4.8" x 3.1" x 2.3") accompanied by a weight of 561 grams (1.24 lbs).

See the Panasonic FZ100 vs Pentax K-01 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are working with at that time. Underneath is a front view dimensions comparison of the FZ100 compared to the K-01.

Panasonic FZ100 vs Pentax K-01 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the FZ100 and K-01 is 67 and 76 respectively.

Panasonic FZ100 vs Pentax K-01 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FZ100 vs Pentax K-01 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, its tough to visualize the difference in sensor sizes just by going through a spec sheet. The pic below might provide you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the FZ100 and K-01.

As you can see, both of these cameras have different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The FZ100 due to its smaller sensor is going to make shooting shallower depth of field harder and the Pentax K-01 will show extra detail as a result of its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop pictures a bit more aggressively. The more aged FZ100 will be behind with regard to sensor innovation.

Panasonic FZ100 vs Pentax K-01 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FZ100 vs Pentax K-01 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FZ100 vs Pentax K-01 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FZ100 Portrait photography advice
Pentax K-01 Portrait photography advice
54
has manual focus
good MP (14 megapixels)
supports face detect focusing
saves RAW files
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
74
you can focus manually
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
offers face detect focus
exports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic FZ100
Street photography with Pentax K-01
58
screen can move to multiple angles
image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW files
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
more heavy than competition (540 grams)
66
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
fixed screen
heavier than competition in class (561g)
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FZ100 Sports photography details
Pentax K-01 Sports photography details
51
great zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (14MP)
supports tracking focus
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
61
image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
good battery power (540 per charge)
slow frames per second (6.0 frames per second)
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FZ100 Travel photography advice
Pentax K-01 Travel photography advice
59
good MP (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
display is selfie friendly
decently wide (25mm)
long zoom (600mm)
lack of Timelapse mode
more heavy than competition (540g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
65
good battery power (540 per charge)
MP count decent (16MP)
built-in flash
heavier than competition in class (561g)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FZ100 Landscape photography info
Pentax K-01 Landscape photography info
51
has manual focus
decently wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (14MP)
saves RAW files
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of Timelapse mode
80
you can focus manually
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
good battery power (540 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FZ100 Vlogging highlights
Pentax K-01 Vlogging highlights
64
decently wide (25mm)
display is selfie friendly
image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does have microphone port
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
more heavy than competition (540g)
34
image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detect focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
includes mic jack
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
heavier than competition in class (561g)
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Panasonic FZ100 vs Pentax K-01 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FZ100 and Pentax K-01
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ100Pentax K-01
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ100 Pentax K-01
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level Mirrorless
Introduced 2010-07-21 2012-05-30
Body design SLR-like (bridge) SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Venus Engine FHD -
Sensor type CMOS 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 14MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4320 x 3240 4928 x 3264
Highest native ISO 6400 12800
Highest boosted ISO - 25600
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points - 81
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens focal range 25-600mm (24.0x) -
Maximal aperture f/2.8-5.2 -
Macro focus distance 1cm -
Total lenses - 151
Crop factor 5.9 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 460k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen technology - TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 11.0 frames per sec 6.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 9.50 m 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow-speed Sync, Trailing Curtain Sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash sync - 1/180 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (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 480 (30, 25, 24 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format 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 None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 540 gr (1.19 pounds) 561 gr (1.24 pounds)
Physical dimensions 124 x 82 x 92mm (4.9" x 3.2" x 3.6") 122 x 79 x 58mm (4.8" x 3.1" x 2.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 79
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.7
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 12.9
DXO Low light score not tested 1135
Other
Battery life - 540 photographs
Type of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots 1 1
Cost at launch $500 $899