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Panasonic S5 vs Pentax K-30

Portability
60
Imaging
76
Features
92
Overall
82
Panasonic Lumix DC-S5 front
 
Pentax K-30 front
Portability
63
Imaging
57
Features
66
Overall
60

Panasonic S5 vs Pentax K-30 Key Specs

Panasonic S5
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.0" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Push to 204800)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Leica L Mount
  • 714g - 133 x 97 x 82mm
  • Revealed August 2020
  • Renewed by Panasonic S5 II
Pentax K-30
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Boost to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 650g - 130 x 97 x 71mm
  • Revealed October 2012
  • Successor is Pentax K-50
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Panasonic S5 vs Pentax K-30 Overview

Below is a comprehensive overview of the Panasonic S5 vs Pentax K-30, former being a Pro Mirrorless while the other is a Advanced DSLR by competitors Panasonic and Pentax. There exists a considerable gap among the sensor resolutions of the S5 (24MP) and K-30 (16MP) and the S5 (Full frame) and K-30 (APS-C) enjoy different sensor sizes.

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The S5 was announced 7 years later than the K-30 and that is a fairly large difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic S5 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-30 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before diving straight into a comprehensive comparison, below is a short introduction of how the S5 matches up against the K-30 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic S5 over the Pentax K-30

 S5 K-30 
RevealedAugust 2020October 2012More recent by 95 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display resolution1840k921kCrisper display (+919k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K-30 over the Panasonic S5

 K-30 S5 

Common features in the Panasonic S5 and Pentax K-30

 S5 K-30 
Focus manually Very accurate focus
Display sizing3.0"3"Equivalent display dimensions

Panasonic S5 vs Pentax K-30 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is intending to lug around your camera, you are going to need to factor in its weight and volume. The Panasonic S5 provides external dimensions of 133mm x 97mm x 82mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 3.2") accompanied by a weight of 714 grams (1.57 lbs) and the Pentax K-30 has sizing of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") with a weight of 650 grams (1.43 lbs).

Check out the Panasonic S5 vs Pentax K-30 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you choose during that time. Following is the front view dimensions comparison of the S5 and the K-30.

Panasonic S5 vs Pentax K-30 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the S5 and K-30 is 60 and 63 respectively.

Panasonic S5 vs Pentax K-30 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic S5 vs Pentax K-30 Sensor Comparison

Normally, its difficult to picture the difference in sensor measurements just by seeing specs. The visual here will give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the S5 and K-30.

All in all, the 2 cameras enjoy different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The S5 with its larger sensor is going to make getting shallower DOF simpler and the Panasonic S5 will provide extra detail with its extra 8 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also help you crop images far more aggressively. The newer S5 provides an advantage when it comes to sensor tech.

Panasonic S5 vs Pentax K-30 sensor size comparison

Panasonic S5 vs Pentax K-30 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic S5 vs Pentax K-30 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic S5 Portrait photography highlights
Pentax K-30 Portrait photography highlights
85
manual focus
good MP (24 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
features face detect focusing
saves RAW formats
74
manual focus
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
features face detect focusing
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic S5 Street photography features
Pentax K-30 Street photography features
78
screen can move to multiple angles
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
great sensor size (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
boasts touch focus
weather proofing
above average high ISO (51,200)
68
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
weather proofing
no moving screen
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic S5 Sports photography factors
Pentax K-30 Sports photography factors
81
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
quiet mode (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good MP (24 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
features tracking focus
weather proofing
doesn't have phase detect AF
67
max shutter speed is good (1/6,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
features tracking focus
weather proofing
comes with phase detect AF
max fps very slow (6.0 fps)
not so great battery life (410 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic S5 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax K-30 as a Travel photography camera
79
weather proofing
supports bluetooth
boasts touch focus
good MP (24 megapixels)
selfie friendly screen
60
weather proofing
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
not so great battery life (410 CIPA)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic S5
Landscape photography with Pentax K-30
86
manual focus
switch lenses (Leica L mount)
pretty good screen size (3.0 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good MP (24MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
doesnt have anti-alias filter
above average high ISO (51,200)
saves RAW formats
weather proofing
two card slots
73
manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
nice screen size (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
weather proofing
not so great battery life (410 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic S5 Vlogging info
Pentax K-30 Vlogging info
79
selfie friendly screen
touchscreen capability
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
features face detect focusing
video resolution high (3840 x 2160 pxls)
includes mic socket
30
image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detect focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
lack of microphone jack
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Panasonic S5 vs Pentax K-30 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic S5 and Pentax K-30
 Panasonic Lumix DC-S5Pentax K-30
General Information
Brand Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DC-S5 Pentax K-30
Category Pro Mirrorless Advanced DSLR
Revealed 2020-08-14 2012-10-29
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor - 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 aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 6000 x 4000 4928 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 51200 12800
Maximum enhanced ISO 204800 25600
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Minimum enhanced ISO 50 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 225 11
Cross focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mounting type Leica L Pentax KAF2
Available lenses 31 151
Crop factor 1 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen size 3.0" 3"
Resolution of screen 1,840k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen tech - TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder resolution 2,360k dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x 0.61x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/6000 seconds
Fastest silent shutter speed 1/8000 seconds -
Continuous shutter speed 7.0 frames per second 6.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range no built-in flash 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced On/Red-eye Reduction, Slow Sync, Slow Sync w/Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye,Slow Sync, Slow Sync+ Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/250 seconds 1/180 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 60p / 200 Mbps, MP4, H.264, 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 3840x2160 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264, H.265 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB Yes (can be charged with high-power laptop/tablet chargers or portable power banks) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 714 gr (1.57 lb) 650 gr (1.43 lb)
Dimensions 133 x 97 x 82mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 3.2") 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 79
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.7
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 13.0
DXO Low light score not tested 1129
Other
Battery life 440 images 410 images
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI109,4 x AA
Self timer Yes Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD Memory Card, SDHC Memory Card, SDXC Memory Card SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots Two Single
Pricing at release $1,999 $525