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Panasonic FZ40 vs Pentax K-r

Portability
68
Imaging
37
Features
40
Overall
38
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40 front
 
Pentax K-r front
Portability
67
Imaging
53
Features
52
Overall
52

Panasonic FZ40 vs Pentax K-r 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
  • Also Known as Lumix DMC-FZ45
Pentax K-r
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 12800 (Push to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 598g - 125 x 97 x 68mm
  • Introduced March 2011
Photography Glossary

Panasonic FZ40 vs Pentax K-r Overview

Let's take a more detailed look at the Panasonic FZ40 vs Pentax K-r, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by rivals Panasonic and Pentax. The image resolution of the FZ40 (14MP) and the K-r (12MP) is very well matched but the FZ40 (1/2.3") and K-r (APS-C) offer different sensor sizes.

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The FZ40 was released 7 months earlier than the K-r and they are of a similar generation. Each of these cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic FZ40 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Pentax K-r being a Compact SLR camera.

Before getting right into a detailed comparison, here is a short summation of how the FZ40 matches up versus the K-r with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FZ40 over the Pentax K-r

 FZ40 K-r 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-r over the Panasonic FZ40

 K-r FZ40 
IntroducedMarch 2011July 2010More modern by 7 months
Display resolution921k230kCrisper display (+691k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic FZ40 and Pentax K-r

 FZ40 K-r 
Focus manually Very accurate focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display size3"3"Same display dimensions
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch display Lack of Touch display

Panasonic FZ40 vs Pentax K-r Physical Comparison

For anyone who is aiming to carry around your camera regularly, you will want to think about its weight and proportions. The Panasonic FZ40 offers outer measurements of 120mm x 80mm x 92mm (4.7" x 3.1" x 3.6") having a weight of 494 grams (1.09 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-r has measurements of 125mm x 97mm x 68mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.7") along with a weight of 598 grams (1.32 lbs).

See the Panasonic FZ40 vs Pentax K-r in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you are working with at that time. The following is a front view sizing comparison of the FZ40 versus the K-r.

Panasonic FZ40 vs Pentax K-r size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the FZ40 and K-r is 68 and 67 respectively.

Panasonic FZ40 vs Pentax K-r top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FZ40 vs Pentax K-r Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it's tough to picture the difference between sensor sizes only by checking technical specs. The image here will give you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the FZ40 and K-r.

As you have seen, both of the cameras come with different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The FZ40 because of its tinier sensor is going to make getting shallow DOF more challenging and the Panasonic FZ40 will give greater detail as a result of its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will make it easier to crop pics a good deal more aggressively. The more aged FZ40 is going to be behind in sensor innovation.

Panasonic FZ40 vs Pentax K-r sensor size comparison

Panasonic FZ40 vs Pentax K-r Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FZ40 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax K-r as a Portrait photography camera
46
you can focus manually
good resolution (14MP)
exports RAW formats
can't use external flash
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
63
focusing manually
decent sensor size (APS-C)
offers face detection autofocus
delivers RAW formats
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FZ40 Street photography details
Pentax K-r Street photography details
51
image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW formats
no moving screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
heavier than average in class (494 grams)
67
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
no moving screen
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FZ40 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax K-r as a Sports photography camera
43
excellent zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (14MP)
low fps (2.0 fps)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
55
great max shutter speed (1/6,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
comes with phase detect autofocus
max fps low (6.0 frames/s)
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
bad battery life (470 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic FZ40
Travel photography with Pentax K-r
54
good resolution (14MP)
built-in flash
relatively wide (25mm)
very long reach (600mm)
lack of Time Lapse function
heavier than average in class (494g)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
47
flash built-in
bad battery life (470 per charge)
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FZ40 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax K-r as a Landscape photography camera
51
you can focus manually
relatively wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (14MP)
exports RAW formats
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of Time Lapse function
65
focusing manually
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is decent (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
bad battery life (470 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic FZ40
Vlogging with Pentax K-r
23
relatively wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of external mic jack
heavier than average in class (494g)
26
image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detection autofocus
screen is not selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of external mic port
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Panasonic FZ40 vs Pentax K-r Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FZ40 and Pentax K-r
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40Pentax K-r
General Information
Company Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40 Pentax K-r
Otherwise known as Lumix DMC-FZ45 -
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level DSLR
Released 2010-07-21 2011-03-11
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by Venus Engine HD II Prime II
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.6 x 15.8mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 372.9mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Max resolution 4320 x 3240 4288 x 2848
Max native ISO 6400 12800
Max enhanced ISO - 25600
Lowest native ISO 80 200
RAW photos
Lowest enhanced ISO - 100
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points - 11
Cross type focus points - 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens zoom range 25-600mm (24.0x) -
Max aperture f/2.8-5.2 -
Macro focusing distance 1cm -
Number of lenses - 151
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology - TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 96%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.57x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/6000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 2.0 frames per second 6.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 9.50 m 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, Red-eye Reduction, Slow-speed Sync, Trailing Curtain Sync, High-Speed Sync and Wireless Sync
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync - 1/180 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
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) 1280 x 720 (25 fps), 640 x 480 (25 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format AVCHD Lite Motion JPEG
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 494g (1.09 pounds) 598g (1.32 pounds)
Physical dimensions 120 x 80 x 92mm (4.7" x 3.1" x 3.6") 125 x 97 x 68mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 72
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 22.9
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.4
DXO Low light rating not tested 755
Other
Battery life - 470 images
Battery form - Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI109,4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 pictures)) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC
Storage slots 1 1
Launch cost $420 $1,100