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Panasonic FH5 vs Pentax K-30

Portability
96
Imaging
39
Features
31
Overall
35
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH5 front
 
Pentax K-30 front
Portability
63
Imaging
57
Features
66
Overall
60

Panasonic FH5 vs Pentax K-30 Key Specs

Panasonic FH5
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-112mm (F3.1-6.5) lens
  • 121g - 94 x 54 x 19mm
  • Released January 2011
  • Other Name is Lumix DMC-FS18
Pentax K-30
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Expand 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
  • Replacement is Pentax K-50
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Panasonic FH5 vs Pentax K-30 Overview

Let's take a closer look at the Panasonic FH5 and Pentax K-30, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Advanced DSLR by rivals Panasonic and Pentax. The image resolution of the FH5 (16MP) and the K-30 (16MP) is pretty comparable but the FH5 (1/2.3") and K-30 (APS-C) use totally different sensor sizes.

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The FH5 was unveiled 22 months earlier than the K-30 which makes the cameras a generation apart from one another. Each of these cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic FH5 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-30 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before we go in to a in depth comparison, below is a brief highlight of how the FH5 scores versus the K-30 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FH5 over the Pentax K-30

 FH5 K-30 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-30 over the Panasonic FH5

 K-30 FH5 
LaunchedOctober 2012January 2011More recent by 22 months
Focus manually Very accurate focus
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution921k230kClearer screen (+691k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic FH5 and Pentax K-30

 FH5 K-30 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither offers Touch friendly screen

Panasonic FH5 vs Pentax K-30 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is looking to lug around your camera regularly, you will want to consider its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic FH5 offers outer measurements of 94mm x 54mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.7") and a weight of 121 grams (0.27 lbs) and the Pentax K-30 has dimensions of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") and a weight of 650 grams (1.43 lbs).

Compare the Panasonic FH5 and Pentax K-30 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you select at that time. Underneath is the front view measurement comparison of the FH5 compared to the K-30.

Panasonic FH5 vs Pentax K-30 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the FH5 and K-30 is 96 and 63 respectively.

Panasonic FH5 vs Pentax K-30 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FH5 vs Pentax K-30 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is very tough to visualise the gap in sensor measurements purely by going through specs. The photograph here may offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the FH5 and K-30.

As you can plainly see, both cameras offer the same exact megapixel count albeit not the same sensor measurements. The FH5 uses the smaller sensor which should make achieving shallow DOF more challenging. The older FH5 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Panasonic FH5 vs Pentax K-30 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FH5 vs Pentax K-30 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FH5 vs Pentax K-30 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FH5 Portrait photography information
Pentax K-30 Portrait photography information
34
decent MP (16 megapixels)
comes with face detection focusing
no manual focus
manual exposure not possible
can't use external flash
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
74
has manual focus
megapixel count decent (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
has face detect autofocus
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FH5 Street photography info
Pentax K-30 Street photography info
67
built in image stabilization (Optical)
comes with focus by touch
lighter than competitors in class (121g)
no moving screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
68
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
environment proof
screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic FH5
Sports photography with Pentax K-30
40
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
comes with tracking autofocus
max fps low (4.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
67
great max shutter speed (1/6,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
has tracking focus
environment proof
supports phase detect autofocus
painfully slow continuous shooting (6.0 frames per second)
low battery (410 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic FH5
Travel photography with Pentax K-30
71
lighter than competitors in class (121g)
comes with focus by touch
decent MP (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (28mm)
missing Timelapse function
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
60
environment proof
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
low battery (410 CIPA)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FH5 Landscape photography information
Pentax K-30 Landscape photography information
38
reasonably wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
small screen (2.7 inch)
manual exposure not possible
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
missing Timelapse function
73
has manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
decent sized screen (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
environment proof
low battery (410 per charge)
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FH5 Vlogging highlights
Pentax K-30 Vlogging highlights
33
reasonably wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detection focusing
lighter than competitors in class (121g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing external microphone socket
30
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detect autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
no mic socket
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Panasonic FH5 vs Pentax K-30 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FH5 and Pentax K-30
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH5Pentax K-30
General Information
Company Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH5 Pentax K-30
Alternate name Lumix DMC-FS18 -
Type Small Sensor Compact Advanced DSLR
Released 2011-01-05 2012-10-29
Physical type Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Venus Engine IV Prime M
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Highest resolution 4608 x 3456 4928 x 3264
Highest native ISO 6400 12800
Highest boosted ISO - 25600
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 11 11
Cross type focus points - 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens zoom range 28-112mm (4.0x) -
Max aperture f/3.1-6.5 -
Macro focusing distance 5cm -
Total lenses - 151
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.7" 3"
Resolution of screen 230k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen technology - 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
Slowest shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/6000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 4.0 frames/s 6.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 3.30 m 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction Auto, On, Off, Red-eye,Slow Sync, Slow Sync+ Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize - 1/180 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (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)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
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 sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 121g (0.27 pounds) 650g (1.43 pounds)
Dimensions 94 x 54 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.7") 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 260 photographs 410 photographs
Battery type 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 shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Single Single
Launch cost $169 $525