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Panasonic 3D1 vs Pentax K-30

Portability
93
Imaging
36
Features
36
Overall
36
Panasonic Lumix DMC-3D1 front
 
Pentax K-30 front
Portability
63
Imaging
57
Features
66
Overall
60

Panasonic 3D1 vs Pentax K-30 Key Specs

Panasonic 3D1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-100mm (F3.9-5.7) lens
  • 193g - 108 x 58 x 24mm
  • Introduced November 2011
Pentax K-30
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Push to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 650g - 130 x 97 x 71mm
  • Launched October 2012
  • Successor is Pentax K-50
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Panasonic 3D1 vs Pentax K-30 Overview

Here, we will be contrasting the Panasonic 3D1 vs Pentax K-30, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Advanced DSLR by competitors Panasonic and Pentax. There exists a crucial gap between the sensor resolutions of the 3D1 (12MP) and K-30 (16MP) and the 3D1 (1/2.3") and K-30 (APS-C) provide different sensor sizes.

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The 3D1 was released 11 months earlier than the K-30 so they are of a similar generation. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic 3D1 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-30 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before delving into a comprehensive comparison, here is a quick highlight of how the 3D1 grades vs the K-30 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic 3D1 over the Pentax K-30

 3D1 K-30 
Screen size3.5"3"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K-30 over the Panasonic 3D1

 K-30 3D1 
LaunchedOctober 2012November 2011Newer by 11 months
Manually focus Dial accurate focusing
Screen resolution921k460kSharper screen (+461k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic 3D1 and Pentax K-30

 3D1 K-30 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen

Panasonic 3D1 vs Pentax K-30 Physical Comparison

If you're going to travel with your camera regularly, you're going to have to take into account its weight and volume. The Panasonic 3D1 offers exterior dimensions of 108mm x 58mm x 24mm (4.3" x 2.3" x 0.9") and a weight of 193 grams (0.43 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-30 has sizing of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") having a weight of 650 grams (1.43 lbs).

Check out the Panasonic 3D1 vs Pentax K-30 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you have during that time. Below is a front view physical size comparison of the 3D1 against the K-30.

Panasonic 3D1 vs Pentax K-30 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the 3D1 and K-30 is 93 and 63 respectively.

Panasonic 3D1 vs Pentax K-30 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic 3D1 vs Pentax K-30 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is very hard to visualize the gap between sensor dimensions simply by reading through specs. The image here will provide you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the 3D1 and K-30.

All in all, both cameras come with different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The 3D1 due to its tinier sensor is going to make getting shallow DOF harder and the Pentax K-30 will give you greater detail as a result of its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop pictures a good deal more aggressively. The more aged 3D1 is going to be behind in sensor innovation.

Panasonic 3D1 vs Pentax K-30 sensor size comparison

Panasonic 3D1 vs Pentax K-30 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic 3D1 vs Pentax K-30 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic 3D1 Portrait photography factors
Pentax K-30 Portrait photography factors
27
supports face detect autofocus
no manual focus
manual exposure not possible
can't use external flash
resolution not great (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
74
focusing manually
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
provides face detect focusing
delivers RAW formats
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Panasonic 3D1 Street photography advice
Pentax K-30 Street photography advice
61
has image stabilization (Optical)
offers touch focus
screen is fixed
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
68
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
environment proofing
screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic 3D1 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax K-30 as a Sports photography camera
30
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports tracking focus
maximum shutter speed is a little low (1/1,300 seconds)
lack of shutter priority mode
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
not so great battery power (200 shots)
lack of phase detect autofocus
67
great max shutter speed (1/6,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
provides tracking focus
environment proofing
supports phase detect AF
very slow continuous shooting (6.0 fps)
terrible battery life (410 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic 3D1 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax K-30 as a Travel photography camera
59
offers touch focus
has built in flash
decently wide (25mm)
does not have Timelapse mode
not so great battery power (200 shots)
resolution not great (12MP)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f3.9)
60
environment proofing
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
terrible battery life (410 per charge)
does not have selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic 3D1 Landscape photography advice
Pentax K-30 Landscape photography advice
36
decently wide (25mm)
very good size screen (3.5")
has image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.9)
manual exposure not possible
resolution not great (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
not so great battery power (200 per charge)
does not have Timelapse mode
73
focusing manually
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen is a decent size (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
environment proofing
terrible battery life (410 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic 3D1 Vlogging advice
Pentax K-30 Vlogging advice
34
decently wide (25mm)
built-in touchscreen
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
slow max aperture (f3.9)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
does not have microphone port
30
image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detect focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does not have selfie friendly screen
missing microphone port
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Panasonic 3D1 vs Pentax K-30 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic 3D1 and Pentax K-30
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-3D1Pentax K-30
General Information
Brand Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-3D1 Pentax K-30
Type Small Sensor Compact Advanced DSLR
Introduced 2011-11-07 2012-10-29
Body design Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Prime M
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 4000 x 3000 4928 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 6400 12800
Maximum enhanced ISO - 25600
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 23 11
Cross type focus points - 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens zoom range 25-100mm (4.0x) -
Maximal aperture f/3.9-5.7 -
Macro focusing distance 5cm -
Total lenses - 151
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3.5" 3"
Resolution of screen 460k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen tech TFT Full Touch Screen with AR coating TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.61x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/1300s 1/6000s
Continuous shutter speed - 6.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 3.50 m 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye,Slow Sync, Slow Sync+ Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync - 1/180s
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60, 30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 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 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, AVCHD, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone 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 193g (0.43 lbs) 650g (1.43 lbs)
Physical dimensions 108 x 58 x 24mm (4.3" x 2.3" x 0.9") 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 200 photos 410 photos
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI109,4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots 1 1
Launch cost $670 $525