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Panasonic FZ300 vs Pentax K-x

Portability
59
Imaging
37
Features
73
Overall
51
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ300 front
 
Pentax K-x front
Portability
69
Imaging
52
Features
47
Overall
50

Panasonic FZ300 vs Pentax K-x Key Specs

Panasonic FZ300
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1/16000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 25-600mm (F2.8) lens
  • 691g - 132 x 92 x 117mm
  • Announced July 2015
  • Older Model is Panasonic FZ200
Pentax K-x
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400 (Expand to 12800)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 580g - 123 x 92 x 68mm
  • Launched December 2009
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Panasonic FZ300 vs Pentax K-x Overview

Below is a extensive assessment of the Panasonic FZ300 and Pentax K-x, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by manufacturers Panasonic and Pentax. The image resolution of the FZ300 (12MP) and the K-x (12MP) is fairly well matched but the FZ300 (1/2.3") and K-x (APS-C) have different sensor sizes.

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The FZ300 was released 5 years later than the K-x and that is quite a sizable difference as far as technology is concerned. Each of these cameras have different body design with the Panasonic FZ300 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Pentax K-x being a Compact SLR camera.

Before going into a in depth comparison, here is a short summary of how the FZ300 grades against the K-x when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FZ300 over the Pentax K-x

 FZ300 K-x 
LaunchedJuly 2015December 2009More recent by 68 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution1040k230kClearer display (+810k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K-x over the Panasonic FZ300

 K-x FZ300 

Common features in the Panasonic FZ300 and Pentax K-x

 FZ300 K-x 
Manual focus More precise focusing

Panasonic FZ300 vs Pentax K-x Physical Comparison

When you are going to lug around your camera frequently, you have to factor in its weight and measurements. The Panasonic FZ300 enjoys physical measurements of 132mm x 92mm x 117mm (5.2" x 3.6" x 4.6") with a weight of 691 grams (1.52 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-x has proportions of 123mm x 92mm x 68mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.7") with a weight of 580 grams (1.28 lbs).

Examine the Panasonic FZ300 and Pentax K-x in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you are working with at that moment. Below is a front view over all size comparison of the FZ300 compared to the K-x.

Panasonic FZ300 vs Pentax K-x size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the FZ300 and K-x is 59 and 69 respectively.

Panasonic FZ300 vs Pentax K-x top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FZ300 vs Pentax K-x Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is very difficult to picture the difference between sensor measurements only by checking a spec sheet. The photograph below will give you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the FZ300 and K-x.

As you can see, both of those cameras provide the same megapixel count but different sensor measurements. The FZ300 contains the tinier sensor which is going to make achieving shallow DOF tougher. The more recent FZ300 should have an edge with regard to sensor innovation.

Panasonic FZ300 vs Pentax K-x sensor size comparison

Panasonic FZ300 vs Pentax K-x Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FZ300 vs Pentax K-x Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FZ300 Portrait photography information
Pentax K-x Portrait photography information
46
manual focus
has face detection autofocus
delivers RAW formats
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
63
has manual focus
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
comes with face detect focusing
saves RAW formats
MP count low (12 megapixels)
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Panasonic FZ300 as a Street photography camera
Pentax K-x as a Street photography camera
59
screen articulates
built in image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW formats
comes with focus by touch
environment proofing
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
heavier than competition (691g)
67
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
screen is fixed
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic FZ300
Sports photography with Pentax K-x
51
long zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
great max shutter speed (1/16,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
has tracking autofocus
environment proofing
great battery life (380 per charge)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
61
maximum shutter speed is high (1/6,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
great battery (1,900 CIPA)
has phase detect AF
max fps very slow (5.0 frames/s)
MP count low (12MP)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FZ300 Travel photography features
Pentax K-x Travel photography features
59
great battery life (380 CIPA)
environment proofing
comes with focus by touch
has built in flash
selfie friendly display
rather wide (25mm)
very long reach (600mm)
heavier than competition (691 grams)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
54
great battery (1,900 shots)
flash built-in
doesn't have Timelapse recording
MP count low (12 megapixels)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FZ300 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax K-x as a Landscape photography camera
52
manual focus
rather wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW formats
environment proofing
great battery life (380 CIPA)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
61
has manual focus
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
great battery (1,900 shots)
screen is small (2.7")
MP count low (12MP)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FZ300 Vlogging advice
Pentax K-x Vlogging advice
62
rather wide (25mm)
selfie friendly display
touchscreen capability
built in image stabilization (Optical)
has face detection autofocus
video resolution high (3840 x 2160 pxls)
does have external mic support
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
heavier than competition (691g)
27
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detect focusing
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have microphone socket
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Panasonic FZ300 vs Pentax K-x Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FZ300 and Pentax K-x
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ300Pentax K-x
General Information
Company Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ300 Pentax K-x
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level DSLR
Announced 2015-07-16 2009-12-23
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Venus Engine Prime
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.6 x 15.8mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 372.9mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Maximum resolution 4000 x 3000 4288 x 2848
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Maximum boosted ISO - 12800
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 49 11
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens zoom range 25-600mm (24.0x) -
Highest aperture f/2.8 -
Macro focusing range 1cm -
Available lenses - 151
Crop factor 5.8 1.5
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of display 1,040 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display tech - TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder resolution 1,440 thousand dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100% 96%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.57x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/16000 seconds 1/6000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 12.0fps 5.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 8.80 m (at Auto ISO) 16.00 m
Flash settings Auto, auto w/redeye reduction, forced on, forced on w/redeye reduction, slow sync, slow sync w/redeye reduction, forced off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear curtain, Wireless
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize - 1/180 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 3840 x 2160 (30p, 24p), 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 30p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p) 1280 x 720 (24 fps), 640 x 416 (24 fps)
Maximum video resolution 3840x2160 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, AVCHD Motion JPEG
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 691 gr (1.52 pounds) 580 gr (1.28 pounds)
Physical dimensions 132 x 92 x 117mm (5.2" x 3.6" x 4.6") 123 x 92 x 68mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 72
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 22.8
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.5
DXO Low light rating not tested 811
Other
Battery life 380 pictures 1900 pictures
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - 4 x AA
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card SD/SDHC card
Card slots One One
Price at launch $598 $600