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Panasonic S1H vs Pentax K-30

Portability
52
Imaging
75
Features
87
Overall
79
Panasonic Lumix DC-S1H front
 
Pentax K-30 front
Portability
63
Imaging
57
Features
66
Overall
60

Panasonic S1H vs Pentax K-30 Key Specs

Panasonic S1H
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Increase to 204800)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 5952 x 3988 video
  • Leica L Mount
  • 1052g - 151 x 114 x 110mm
  • Introduced August 2019
Pentax K-30
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Increase to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 650g - 130 x 97 x 71mm
  • Released October 2012
  • Newer Model is Pentax K-50
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Panasonic S1H vs Pentax K-30 Overview

Let's examine more closely at the Panasonic S1H vs Pentax K-30, one being a Pro Mirrorless and the other is a Advanced DSLR by companies Panasonic and Pentax. There exists a significant gap between the image resolutions of the S1H (24MP) and K-30 (16MP) and the S1H (Full frame) and K-30 (APS-C) possess different sensor dimensions.

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The S1H was manufactured 6 years later than the K-30 and that is quite a sizable gap as far as technology is concerned. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic S1H being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-30 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before going in to a thorough comparison, below is a brief synopsis of how the S1H matches up versus the K-30 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic S1H over the Pentax K-30

 S1H K-30 
ReleasedAugust 2019October 2012More recent by 84 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display sizing3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution2330k921kSharper display (+1409k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K-30 over the Panasonic S1H

 K-30 S1H 

Common features in the Panasonic S1H and Pentax K-30

 S1H K-30 
Manual focus Very precise focusing

Panasonic S1H vs Pentax K-30 Physical Comparison

If you are looking to lug around your camera often, you will need to consider its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic S1H comes with exterior dimensions of 151mm x 114mm x 110mm (5.9" x 4.5" x 4.3") with a weight of 1052 grams (2.32 lbs) and the Pentax K-30 has dimensions of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") having a weight of 650 grams (1.43 lbs).

See the Panasonic S1H vs Pentax K-30 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you have at that time. Following is the front view sizing comparison of the S1H versus the K-30.

Panasonic S1H vs Pentax K-30 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the S1H and K-30 is 52 and 63 respectively.

Panasonic S1H vs Pentax K-30 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic S1H vs Pentax K-30 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is tough to imagine the difference between sensor measurements only by going over specs. The visual below might provide you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the S1H and K-30.

All in all, the 2 cameras offer different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The S1H because of its larger sensor is going to make getting shallow DOF simpler and the Panasonic S1H will offer greater detail due to its extra 8 Megapixels. Greater resolution will let you crop images a little more aggressively. The fresher S1H provides a benefit in sensor innovation.

Panasonic S1H vs Pentax K-30 sensor size comparison

Panasonic S1H vs Pentax K-30 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic S1H vs Pentax K-30 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic S1H Portrait photography highlights
Pentax K-30 Portrait photography highlights
85
you can focus manually
flash sync is higher than normal (1/320s)
decent MP (24 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
has face detect focusing
delivers RAW formats
74
focusing manually
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
comes with face detection focus
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic S1H
Street photography with Pentax K-30
69
screen can move to multiple angles
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
great sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
boasts focus by touch
weather sealing
good high ISO (51,200)
heavier than competition in class (1,052g)
68
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
environment proofing
screen does not articulate
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Panasonic S1H Sports photography information
Pentax K-30 Sports photography information
76
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
silent shooting (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent MP (24MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
has tracking focus
weather sealing
not so great battery life (400 shots)
does not have phase detect AF
67
high shutter speed (1/6,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
comes with tracking autofocus
environment proofing
comes with phase detect auto focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (6.0 frames/s)
not so great battery (410 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic S1H Travel photography advice
Pentax K-30 Travel photography advice
64
weather sealing
has bluetooth
boasts focus by touch
decent MP (24 megapixels)
screen is selfie friendly
not so great battery life (400 CIPA)
heavier than competition in class (1,052 grams)
60
environment proofing
MP count decent (16MP)
has built in flash
not so great battery (410 shots)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic S1H Landscape photography info
Pentax K-30 Landscape photography info
80
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Leica L mount)
pretty good screen size (3.2")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent MP (24 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
good high ISO (51,200)
delivers RAW formats
weather sealing
has dual storage slots
not so great battery life (400 per charge)
73
focusing manually
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
environment proofing
not so great battery (410 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic S1H as a Vlogging camera
Pentax K-30 as a Vlogging camera
70
screen is selfie friendly
built-in touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
has face detect focusing
high quality video (5952 x 3988 pxls)
includes mic jack
heavier than competition in class (1,052g)
30
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detection focus
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
no external microphone port
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Panasonic S1H vs Pentax K-30 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic S1H and Pentax K-30
 Panasonic Lumix DC-S1HPentax K-30
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DC-S1H Pentax K-30
Category Pro Mirrorless Advanced DSLR
Introduced 2019-08-28 2012-10-29
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by Venus Engine Prime M
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame APS-C
Sensor measurements 35.6 x 23.8mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 847.3mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 24 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Maximum resolution 6000 x 4000 4928 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 51200 12800
Maximum boosted ISO 204800 25600
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Minimum boosted ISO 50 -
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 225 11
Cross type focus points - 9
Lens
Lens support Leica L Pentax KAF2
Number of lenses 30 151
Focal length multiplier 1 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen size 3.2 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 2,330 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen tech - TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder resolution 5,760 thousand dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.78x 0.61x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/6000 secs
Maximum silent shutter speed 1/8000 secs -
Continuous shooting speed 9.0 frames/s 6.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced On/Red-eye Reduction, Slow Sync., Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye,Slow Sync, Slow Sync+ Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/320 secs 1/180 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 5952 x 3988 @ 23.98p / 200 Mbps, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 (30,25,24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60,50,30,25,24 fps), 640 x 424 (30,25,24 fps)
Maximum video resolution 5952x3988 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264, H.265 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB Yes USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 1052 grams (2.32 pounds) 650 grams (1.43 pounds)
Dimensions 151 x 114 x 110mm (5.9" x 4.5" x 4.3") 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 79
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.7
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 13.0
DXO Low light rating not tested 1129
Other
Battery life 400 photos 410 photos
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI109,4 x AA
Self timer Yes Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse feature
Storage media Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II supported) SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots Two Single
Launch cost $3,998 $525