• 1/2.33 inch 28.2mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 29.00mm - 145.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.4 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 51,200

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Differences

Panasonic DMC-FS15 advantages over Pentax K-3 II

  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Thinner
    21 mm vs 77 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    138g vs 785g
    Lighter weight
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots

Pentax K-3 II advantages over Panasonic DMC-FS15

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1/2.33 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 3.91 vs 1.53 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • High resolution composite
    Yes vs No
    Combine multiple shots to form a super hi-res version
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Fast startup
    ~1.20 vs 2.2 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 720 vs 330 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Newer
    10 years vs 16 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More dots on screen
    1037k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Less shutter lag
    0.14 vs 0.90 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More pixels
    24.4 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    8.1 fps vs 1.7 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    60 vs 3 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    51200 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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Buy the Panasonic DMC-FS15

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Pentax K-3 II
Body Only (Black)
All K-3 II Deals

Review Excerpt

  • Top-notch image quality; Spectacular detail from Pixel Shift Resolution; Better performance than K-3; Geotag images with no accessories; Great ergonomics in a compact body; Clever on-demand low-pass filtering; Broad sensitivity range; Large and bright viewfinder for an APS-C camera; Dual card slots

  • No built-in flash strobe; No wireless flash support out of the box; AstroTracer function can be finicky; AE Lock button is poorly located; Below-average battery life for a prosumer DSLR; Requires a different battery grip accessory than its predecessors

  • Read our Pentax K-3 II Review

The Competition

Compared to Fujifilm J150w

Panasonic DMC-FS15
Fujifilm J150w
  • $200
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • More pixels
  • $200
  • 1/2.3 inch

Compare Panasonic DMC-FS15 vs Fujifilm J150w

Pentax K-3 II
Fujifilm J150w
  • $830
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $200
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Internal flash
  • Thinner

Compare Pentax K-3 II vs Fujifilm J150w

Compared to Panasonic DMC-FS25S

Panasonic DMC-FS15
Panasonic DMC-FS25S
  • $200
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • $175
  • 1/2.33 inch

Compare Panasonic DMC-FS15 vs Panasonic DMC-FS25S

Pentax K-3 II
Panasonic DMC-FS25S
  • $830
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $175
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Internal flash
  • Thinner

Compare Pentax K-3 II vs Panasonic DMC-FS25S

Compared to Fujifilm J250W

Panasonic DMC-FS15
Fujifilm J250W
  • $200
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • More pixels
  • $100
  • 1/2.3 inch

Compare Panasonic DMC-FS15 vs Fujifilm J250W

Pentax K-3 II
Fujifilm J250W
  • $830
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $100
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Internal flash
  • Thinner

Compare Pentax K-3 II vs Fujifilm J250W

Compared to Canon T6i

Panasonic DMC-FS15
Canon T6i
  • $200
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Thinner
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor

Compare Panasonic DMC-FS15 vs Canon T6i

Pentax K-3 II
Canon T6i
  • $830
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Pentax K-3 II vs Canon T6i

Compared to Pentax KP

Panasonic DMC-FS15
Pentax KP
  • $200
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Thinner
  • Lighter weight
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compare Panasonic DMC-FS15 vs Pentax KP

Pentax K-3 II
Pentax KP
  • $830
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Built-in GPS
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Pentax K-3 II vs Pentax KP

Compare Other Cameras?