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Panasonic FZ47 vs Pentax RS1500

Portability
68
Imaging
35
Features
45
Overall
39
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ47 front
 
Pentax Optio RS1500 front
Portability
93
Imaging
37
Features
30
Overall
34

Panasonic FZ47 vs Pentax RS1500 Key Specs

Panasonic FZ47
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Push to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-600mm (F2.8-5.2) lens
  • 498g - 120 x 80 x 92mm
  • Introduced July 2011
  • Additionally referred to as Lumix DMC-FZ48
Pentax RS1500
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-110mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 157g - 114 x 58 x 28mm
  • Announced March 2011
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Panasonic FZ47 vs Pentax RS1500 Overview

Let's look more in depth at the Panasonic FZ47 versus Pentax RS1500, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by competitors Panasonic and Pentax. The image resolution of the FZ47 (12MP) and the RS1500 (14MP) is relatively close and both cameras have the same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The FZ47 was brought out 5 months after the RS1500 so they are of a similar generation. Both the cameras have different body design with the Panasonic FZ47 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Pentax RS1500 being a Compact camera.

Before we go straight to a comprehensive comparison, here is a simple view of how the FZ47 scores versus the RS1500 for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FZ47 over the Pentax RS1500

 FZ47 RS1500 
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kClearer screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax RS1500 over the Panasonic FZ47

 RS1500 FZ47 

Common features in the Panasonic FZ47 and Pentax RS1500

 FZ47 RS1500 
AnnouncedJuly 2011March 2011Same generation
Focus manually More precise focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch screen Absent Touch screen

Panasonic FZ47 vs Pentax RS1500 Physical Comparison

If you're intending to travel with your camera, you have to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic FZ47 has got outer dimensions of 120mm x 80mm x 92mm (4.7" x 3.1" x 3.6") with a weight of 498 grams (1.10 lbs) and the Pentax RS1500 has dimensions of 114mm x 58mm x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") along with a weight of 157 grams (0.35 lbs).

Check the Panasonic FZ47 versus Pentax RS1500 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you use at the time. The following is a front view scale comparison of the FZ47 and the RS1500.

Panasonic FZ47 vs Pentax RS1500 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the FZ47 and RS1500 is 68 and 93 respectively.

Panasonic FZ47 vs Pentax RS1500 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FZ47 vs Pentax RS1500 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it's hard to imagine the difference in sensor dimensions only by viewing technical specs. The picture underneath may provide you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the FZ47 and RS1500.

As you have seen, both the cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit different resolution. You should count on the Pentax RS1500 to result in greater detail having its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will let you crop shots more aggressively.

Panasonic FZ47 vs Pentax RS1500 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FZ47 vs Pentax RS1500 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FZ47 vs Pentax RS1500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FZ47 Portrait photography advice
Pentax RS1500 Portrait photography advice
38
focusing manually
above average flash sync (1/2,000s)
provides face detection focus
no external flash support
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
35
you can focus manually
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
manual exposure not available
can't use external flash
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FZ47 Street photography features
Pentax RS1500 Street photography features
43
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
more heavy than competition in class (498g)
54
environment proof
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FZ47 Sports photography info
Pentax RS1500 Sports photography info
42
great zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
provides tracking autofocus
great battery life (400 shots)
max frames per second low (4.0 fps)
low megapixels (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
37
good megapixels (14MP)
provides tracking autofocus
environment proof
continuous shooting slow (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FZ47 Travel photography highlights
Pentax RS1500 Travel photography highlights
51
great battery life (400 shots)
flash built-in
relatively wide (25mm)
very long zoom (600mm)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
more heavy than competition in class (498g)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f2.8)
67
environment proof
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
decently wide (28mm)
no Timelapse recording
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FZ47 Landscape photography info
Pentax RS1500 Landscape photography info
43
focusing manually
relatively wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
great battery life (400 CIPA)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
doesn't have Timelapse recording
40
you can focus manually
decently wide (28mm)
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
environment proof
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
manual exposure not available
lack of image stabilization
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
no Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic FZ47
Vlogging with Pentax RS1500
27
relatively wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detection focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
display isn't selfie friendly
doesn't have external microphone socket
more heavy than competition in class (498 grams)
25
decently wide (28mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
no external microphone socket
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Panasonic FZ47 vs Pentax RS1500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FZ47 and Pentax RS1500
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ47Pentax Optio RS1500
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ47 Pentax Optio RS1500
Also called Lumix DMC-FZ48 -
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2011-07-21 2011-03-16
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Venus Engine FHD -
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 14MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4000 x 3000 4288 x 3216
Max native ISO 1600 6400
Max boosted ISO 6400 -
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 23 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-600mm (24.0x) 28-110mm (3.9x)
Highest aperture f/2.8-5.2 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focus distance 1cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inches 2.7 inches
Display resolution 460k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display tech - TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 secs 4 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/1500 secs
Continuous shooting rate 4.0 frames per sec 1.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 9.50 m 3.90 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/2000 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format AVCHD Motion JPEG
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 498 grams (1.10 pounds) 157 grams (0.35 pounds)
Physical dimensions 120 x 80 x 92mm (4.7" x 3.1" x 3.6") 114 x 58 x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 400 pictures 260 pictures
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 pictures)) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots One One
Retail cost $379 $150