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Panasonic FZ40 vs Pentax K-1

Portability
68
Imaging
37
Features
40
Overall
38
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40 front
 
Pentax K-1 front
Portability
55
Imaging
76
Features
82
Overall
78

Panasonic FZ40 vs Pentax K-1 Key Specs

Panasonic FZ40
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-600mm (F2.8-5.2) lens
  • 494g - 120 x 80 x 92mm
  • Released July 2010
  • Other Name is Lumix DMC-FZ45
Pentax K-1
(Full Review)
  • 36MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 204800
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 1010g - 137 x 110 x 86mm
  • Launched February 2016
  • Updated by Pentax K-1 II
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Panasonic FZ40 vs Pentax K-1 Overview

Below is a extended overview of the Panasonic FZ40 and Pentax K-1, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Advanced DSLR by companies Panasonic and Pentax. There is a substantial difference among the resolutions of the FZ40 (14MP) and K-1 (36MP) and the FZ40 (1/2.3") and K-1 (Full frame) offer totally different sensor measurements.

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The FZ40 was unveiled 6 years before the K-1 and that is a fairly big difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of the cameras have different body design with the Panasonic FZ40 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Pentax K-1 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before diving right into a in-depth comparison, here is a quick highlight of how the FZ40 grades against the K-1 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FZ40 over the Pentax K-1

 FZ40 K-1 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-1 over the Panasonic FZ40

 K-1 FZ40 
LaunchedFebruary 2016July 2010More recent by 67 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen dimensions3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution1037k230kClearer screen (+807k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic FZ40 and Pentax K-1

 FZ40 K-1 
Manual focus Very accurate focus
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Missing Touch friendly screen

Panasonic FZ40 vs Pentax K-1 Physical Comparison

When you are planning to lug around your camera often, you'll need to think about its weight and proportions. The Panasonic FZ40 comes with exterior measurements of 120mm x 80mm x 92mm (4.7" x 3.1" x 3.6") having a weight of 494 grams (1.09 lbs) and the Pentax K-1 has measurements of 137mm x 110mm x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4") with a weight of 1010 grams (2.23 lbs).

Examine the Panasonic FZ40 and Pentax K-1 in our brand new 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 during that time. The following is a front view measurements comparison of the FZ40 against the K-1.

Panasonic FZ40 vs Pentax K-1 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the FZ40 and K-1 is 68 and 55 respectively.

Panasonic FZ40 vs Pentax K-1 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FZ40 vs Pentax K-1 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is very tough to see the difference in sensor measurements just by viewing a spec sheet. The visual here should offer you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the FZ40 and K-1.

As you can see, each of these cameras provide different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The FZ40 using its smaller sensor will make achieving shallow depth of field more difficult and the Pentax K-1 will provide you with more detail having an extra 22 Megapixels. Higher resolution will let you crop pictures more aggressively. The older FZ40 will be behind with regard to sensor technology.

Panasonic FZ40 vs Pentax K-1 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FZ40 vs Pentax K-1 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FZ40 vs Pentax K-1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FZ40 Portrait photography factors
Pentax K-1 Portrait photography factors
46
you can focus manually
good resolution (14 megapixels)
saves RAW formats
cannot use external flash
sensor is small (1/2.3")
85
manual focus
fantastic megapixels (36MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
has face detection focus
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FZ40 Street photography features
Pentax K-1 Street photography features
51
built in image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW formats
no moving screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
heavier than competition in class (494g)
70
screen can move to multiple angles
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
weather proof
very good ISO range (204,800)
heavier than others in class (1,010g)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic FZ40
Sports photography with Pentax K-1
43
great zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (14 megapixels)
painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames/s)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
76
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
fantastic megapixels (36 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
has tracking autofocus
weather proof
has phase detect auto focus
max fps low (4.4 frames/s)
bad battery life (760 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FZ40 Travel photography information
Pentax K-1 Travel photography information
54
good resolution (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
quite wide (25mm)
long reach (600mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
heavier than competition in class (494g)
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
53
weather proof
fantastic megapixels (36MP)
bad battery life (760 shots)
heavier than others in class (1,010g)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic FZ40
Landscape photography with Pentax K-1
51
you can focus manually
quite wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (14 megapixels)
saves RAW formats
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have Time Lapse mode
81
manual focus
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen is a decent size (3.2 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
fantastic megapixels (36MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
does not have anti aliasing filter
very good ISO range (204,800)
delivers RAW files
weather proof
has double storage slots
bad battery life (760 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic FZ40
Vlogging with Pentax K-1
23
quite wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
display is not selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have mic support
heavier than competition in class (494 grams)
31
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
has face detection focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
has external mic port
does not feature selfie friendly screen
heavier than others in class (1,010 grams)
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Panasonic FZ40 vs Pentax K-1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FZ40 and Pentax K-1
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40Pentax K-1
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40 Pentax K-1
Also called Lumix DMC-FZ45 -
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Advanced DSLR
Released 2010-07-21 2016-02-17
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by Venus Engine HD II -
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Full frame
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 36 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 4320 x 3240 7360 x 4912
Maximum native ISO 6400 204800
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points - 33
Cross focus points - 25
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens focal range 25-600mm (24.0x) -
Maximum aperture f/2.8-5.2 -
Macro focus distance 1cm -
Number of lenses - 151
Crop factor 5.9 1
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Screen size 3 inch 3.2 inch
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dot 1,037 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.7x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 2.0 frames per second 4.4 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 9.50 m no built-in flash
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto Flash Discharge, Auto Flash + Red-eye Reduction, Flash On, Flash On + Red-eye Reduction, Slow-speed Sync, Slow-speed Sync + Red-eye, P-TTL, Trailing Curtain Sync, Contrast-control-sync, High-speed sync, Wireless sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync - 1/200 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format AVCHD Lite MPEG-4, H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Built-in
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 494 grams (1.09 lbs) 1010 grams (2.23 lbs)
Physical dimensions 120 x 80 x 92mm (4.7" x 3.1" x 3.6") 137 x 110 x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 96
DXO Color Depth score not tested 25.4
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 14.6
DXO Low light score not tested 3280
Other
Battery life - 760 photographs
Form of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 pictures)) Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I)
Storage slots One 2
Pricing at release $420 $1,499