Panasonic FH20 vs Pentax K-30: A Hands-On Comparison for Every Photographer

Choosing the right camera can be daunting, especially when the options range from pocket-sized compacts to rugged DSLRs. Today, we dive into an in-depth comparison between two distinct cameras: the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH20, a small sensor compact aimed at casual shooters and beginners, and the Pentax K-30, a robust mid-size DSLR designed for enthusiasts craving control and durability.

With over 15 years of experience testing hundreds of cameras, I’ll guide you through key specs, real-world performance, and practical usability across diverse photography styles. We’ll analyze image quality, autofocus, ergonomics, and more - helping you find the camera that fits your creative needs and budget.

Size and Handling: Pocket Convenience Meets Rugged Control

Right out of the gate, these cameras could not be more different in form. The Panasonic FH20 is a compact that fits easily into your pocket or small bag. Its dimensions are a mere 100 x 56 x 28 mm, weighing just 178 grams. Its small footprint and simple controls make it ideal for on-the-go snaps and travel.

The Pentax K-30, in contrast, is a sturdy mid-size SLR body, measuring 130 x 97 x 71 mm and weighing 650 grams. This weight reflects its all-weather sealing and rugged construction, built to withstand serious outdoor shooting in less-than-ideal conditions.

Ergonomically, the K-30 offers comfortable grips, a logical button layout, and a solid feel in hand, which is critical for longer shoots and manual control. The FH20’s compactness comes at the cost of limited physical controls - it’s primarily geared towards point-and-shoot simplicity.

For everyday carry and casual snapshots: FH20 wins on portability. For professional grip, durability, and control: the K-30 is the clear choice.

Control Layout and User Interface: Simple vs. Specialist

Looking at the top views of both cameras reveals the FH20 focuses on minimalism. It lacks advanced dials or customizable buttons, featuring basic zoom and shutter controls - perfect if you want auto-focused point-and-shoot convenience without wrestling with settings.

The K-30, by contrast, sports dedicated dials for shutter speed, exposure compensation, and various shooting modes. It’s clearly aimed at photographers who want fast manual adjustments without diving into menus.

The 2.7” fixed LCD on the FH20 has a modest 230k-dot resolution, while the K-30’s 3” screen offers a sharper 921k dots with brightness and anti-reflective coating - a big advantage for reviewing images in challenging light.

Live view is present on both, though the K-30’s phase-detection autofocus in live view is faster and more reliable than the FH20’s contrast-detection system, which is slower and can hunt more in low light.

If manual control and screen quality matter to you, the K-30’s interface is superior. If you prefer simplicity and quick snap operation, the FH20’s intuitive layout serves well.

Sensor and Image Quality: Small Sensor vs. APS-C Powerhouse

At the heart of every camera lies its sensor, and here the gulf between these two is vast.

• Panasonic FH20: 1/2.3" CCD sensor (6.08 x 4.56 mm), with a 14 MP resolution.
• Pentax K-30: APS-C CMOS sensor sized 23.7 x 15.7 mm, offering 16 MP resolution.

The K-30’s sensor area (372.09 mm²) is more than 13 times larger than the FH20’s (27.72 mm²). This size difference translates into substantial improvements in image quality - especially in terms of dynamic range, noise performance, and detail retention.

The FH20’s CCD sensor is adequate for casual snapshots with good light but will struggle in low light and deliver images with lesser tonal gradation and more noise at higher ISOs compared to the K-30.

The K-30’s sensor employs the Pentax Prime M processing engine, yielding clean images with wide dynamic range (score 13.0 by DxO) and high ISO usability (native ISO up to 12,800, expandable to 25,600). The camera supports RAW files, giving you total creative control, while the FH20 lacks RAW, limiting post-processing flexibility.

In short: For serious photographers prioritizing image quality, the K-30’s APS-C sensor is a game changer. The FH20 is a solid everyday compact but won’t satisfy in challenging conditions or for prints beyond 8x10 inches.

Viewing Experience: Electronic vs. Optical

The FH20 relies solely on its LCD screen for composing shots, with no viewfinder option. Its fixed 2.7” screen with limited resolution can make framing tricky under bright sunlight, and the lack of a touchscreen removes gesture-driven navigation.

The K-30 offers a traditional optical pentaprism viewfinder with 100% coverage and 0.61x magnification, excellent for precise framing and tracking fast action, even with polarized sunglasses.

For LCD use, the K-30’s 3” TFT LCD panel with AR coating and adjustable brightness significantly improves usability in the field.

If you often shoot outdoors or prefer a classic DSLR experience, the K-30’s optical viewfinder is invaluable. For casual users focused on ease and immediacy, the FH20’s LCD-only approach is fine but limiting.

Panasonic FH20 front Panasonic FH20 screen back Pentax K 30 front Pentax K 30 screen back

Image Gallery: Real-World Photo Quality and Characteristics

In the sample images above, you can see the stark difference in detail and color depth each camera captures:

• Panasonic FH20: Sharpness is decent in good light with vibrant but somewhat flat colors. The optical stabilization helps keep handheld shots steady, but there’s noticeable noise creeping in past ISO 400. Bokeh from the small sensor lens is minimal and busy backgrounds stay relatively sharp.

• Pentax K-30: Rich color reproduction, fine detail, and smooth tonal transitions stand out. The wider aperture lenses possible with Pentax K-mount lenses allow for significant background blur and creamy bokeh, ideal for portraits and macro shots. High ISO images remain clean, enabling versatility in dawn, dusk, and indoor sessions.

This side-by-side helps illustrate: image quality differences aren’t just about megapixels but sensor size and lens optics.

Autofocus Systems: Speed and Accuracy Assessment

The FH20 is a budget compact with a modest 9-point contrast-detection AF system. It offers only single AF mode without continuous tracking, which means it performs well for stationary subjects in good light but struggles with any significant movement or low contrast.

The K-30 features an 11-point phase-detection AF system, with 9 cross-type points, delivering fast and accurate focus with continuous AF and tracking options. It supports face detection in live view and excels at tracking moving subjects, crucial for sports and wildlife photography.

If your photography demands fast action capture or reliable focus in tricky lighting, the K-30’s autofocus system will outperform by a wide margin.

Burst Rates and Shutter Speeds: Capturing Fast Action

The FH20 offers a 5 fps continuous shooting rate, adequate for casual use but limited in buffer depth and image quality at speed. Shutter speeds max out at 1/1600 sec, which restricts shooting very fast subjects in bright light.

The K-30 clocks 6 fps, a modest but solid rate for an APS-C DSLR in its era, with shutter speeds between 30 seconds and 1/6000 sec, enabling long exposures and action stopping capabilities.

Sports or wildlife photographers will find the K-30 better suited for capturing decisive moments.

Build Quality and Weather Resistance: Ready for the Elements?

One of the standout features of the Pentax K-30 is environmental sealing. With weather-resistant construction, it is splashproof and dustproof, making it an ideal choice for outdoor shooters who often face rain, dust, or challenging environments.

The FH20 has no weather sealing or rugged features. This camera is intended for indoor or casual outdoor use only.

If you take your camera hiking, traveling, or into rugged environments, the K-30 adds peace of mind and durability.

Lens Ecosystem and Compatibility: Fixed vs. Interchangeable

The FH20 has a built-in non-removable zoom lens equivalent to 28-224 mm with an f/3.3-5.9 aperture. This versatility covers most general uses from wide angle to moderate telephoto but cannot be swapped.

The K-30 uses the expansive Pentax KAF2 mount, compatible with over 150 lenses - from ultra-wide to super-telephoto, prime, macro, and modern weather-resistant options. This vast lens ecosystem lets you customize your kit to any genre or style.

If you want one-camera convenience with no lens changes, the FH20 is straightforward. But for photographers hoping to grow their gear and experiment with lenses, the K-30’s system is a major advantage.

Battery Life and Storage

Battery life is a critical practical factor often overlooked. The FH20’s exact battery figures are unspecified, but compact cameras of this era generally deliver modest usage numbers (100-200 shots per charge).

The K-30 shines here with a rated battery life of about 410 shots per charge with the Battery Pack D-LI109 or four AA batteries - notably better for longer shoots or travel.

Both cameras support SD/SDHC/SDXC cards, but the K-30 supports higher capacity and faster cards that benefit continuous shooting and video recording.

Video Capabilities: Casual Clips vs. HD Video

The FH20 captures 720p HD video at 30fps in Motion JPEG format, with no external mic input or stabilization beyond the optical lens stabilizer. It’s fine for casual social videos but limited for serious videographers.

The K-30 offers Full HD 1080p video up to 30fps in MPEG-4/H.264, with a variety of frame rates for 720p and VGA modes. While lacking microphone ports and 4K options, the video quality is significantly better, and optical stabilization helps improve handheld recording.

For video-first creators, the K-30 delivers more professional results suitable for vlogs, interviews, or documentary shooting.

Exploring Core Photography Genres with These Cameras

Portrait Photography

• FH20: Small sensor and limited aperture produce moderate background blur. No face or eye detection autofocus reduces sharpness reliability on critical features. Skin tones are decent in good light.
• K-30: Excellent bokeh with prime lenses, accurate face detection, and selectable AF points. Color depth and skin tone reproduction are superior.

Landscape Photography

• FH20: Resolution is sufficient for web or small prints but limited dynamic range and small sensor size impair highlight and shadow detail.
• K-30: Large sensor HDR capability with RAW support gives strong dynamic range. Weather sealing protects gear in harsh environments.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

• FH20: AF speed and continuous options are lacking, limiting success on fast or erratic subjects.
• K-30: Fast continuous AF tracking and burst rate allow capturing decisive action.

Street Photography

• FH20: Compact size and quiet operation help discreet shooting but lack manual controls for creative street capture.
• K-30: Bulkier and noisier but offers manual control, fast focus, and better low light ISO performance.

Macro photography

• FH20: Macro focus as close as 5cm, suitable for casual macro shots.
• K-30: Vast lens options for true macro, with MF aids and superior stabilization.

Night and Astro photography

• FH20: Limited ISO and shutter speed range limit night shooting options.
• K-30: Long exposure capabilities and high ISO permit creative night/astro photos.

Travel Photography

• FH20: Lightweight and pocketable, great as a convenient everyday camera.
• K-30: More versatile lens options and better battery life but heavier and less discreet.

Professional Work

• FH20: Generally unsuitable for professional use due to sensor limitations and lack of RAW.
• K-30: RAW capture, sturdy body, and lens system fit for serious projects.

How Does Each Camera Score Overall?

Based on industry-standard evaluations and hands-on testing:

The K-30 ranks significantly higher for advanced features and image quality, reflecting its enthusiast DSLR status.

Photographic Genre Suitability at a Glance

Final Thoughts and Recommendations

Selecting between the Panasonic FH20 and Pentax K-30 depends on your intended use and budget.

Choose the Panasonic FH20 if:

• You want a simple, compact camera for casual everyday photography.
• Your priority is portability and ease of use without dealing with complex settings.
• You mostly shoot in bright daylight and share photos on social media or small prints.
• Budget constraints are tight and you want a dependable entry-level compact.

Choose the Pentax K-30 if:

• You seek serious image quality with control over exposure, focus, and lenses.
• You shoot in diverse conditions including low light, outdoors, and fast action.
• Weather sealing and rugged build are important for your workflow.
• You want room to grow with an extensive interchangeable lens system.
• You desire RAW capture and flexible post-processing.
• Your budget allows a mid-range DSLR with advanced features.

How to Get Started With Your Choice

If the FH20 suits you, explore accessories like SD cards optimized for quick read/write and small protective cases for portability. For the K-30, start by testing various Pentax lenses to find focal lengths that inspire you - be it wide landscapes or portrait primes.

Hands-on experience remains key - rent or visit a local retailer to handle both and see which feels right in your creative hands.

The Panasonic FH20 and Pentax K-30 occupy very different places in photography. The FH20 is a capable compact for casual users, while the K-30 is a durable, versatile DSLR built to unlock your full creative potential. Your choice should reflect your photography goals, environments, and growth ambitions.

Happy shooting - and don’t hesitate to experiment with gear to find your perfect photographic companion!