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Panasonic FP1 vs Pentax K-30

Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
13
Overall
26
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP1 front
 
Pentax K-30 front
Portability
63
Imaging
57
Features
66
Overall
60

Panasonic FP1 vs Pentax K-30 Key Specs

Panasonic FP1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 35-140mm (F3.5-5.9) lens
  • 151g - 99 x 59 x 19mm
  • Released January 2010
Pentax K-30
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Push to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 650g - 130 x 97 x 71mm
  • Launched October 2012
  • Renewed by Pentax K-50
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Panasonic FP1 vs Pentax K-30 Overview

Its time to look a little more closely at the Panasonic FP1 vs Pentax K-30, former is a Ultracompact while the other is a Advanced DSLR by companies Panasonic and Pentax. There is a noticeable difference between the resolutions of the FP1 (12MP) and K-30 (16MP) and the FP1 (1/2.3") and K-30 (APS-C) feature totally different sensor sizes.

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The FP1 was announced 3 years prior to the K-30 which is quite a sizable difference as far as tech is concerned. The two cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic FP1 being a Ultracompact camera and the Pentax K-30 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before we go through a complete comparison, below is a concise synopsis of how the FP1 scores versus the K-30 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic FP1 over the Pentax K-30

 FP1 K-30 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-30 over the Panasonic FP1

 K-30 FP1 
LaunchedOctober 2012January 2010More modern by 34 months
Manual focus Very precise focus
Display dimension3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution921k230kCrisper display (+691k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic FP1 and Pentax K-30

 FP1 K-30 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch display Neither contains Touch display

Panasonic FP1 vs Pentax K-30 Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to carry around your camera frequently, you are going to need to think about its weight and measurements. The Panasonic FP1 has got external dimensions of 99mm x 59mm x 19mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.7") having a weight of 151 grams (0.33 lbs) while the Pentax K-30 has proportions of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") having a weight of 650 grams (1.43 lbs).

Contrast the Panasonic FP1 vs Pentax K-30 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you select at that time. Underneath is the front view dimension comparison of the FP1 and the K-30.

Panasonic FP1 vs Pentax K-30 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the FP1 and K-30 is 95 and 63 respectively.

Panasonic FP1 vs Pentax K-30 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FP1 vs Pentax K-30 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, its hard to visualise the contrast between sensor sizes purely by going over technical specs. The picture here might give you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the FP1 and K-30.

As you can tell, both the cameras posses different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The FP1 having a tinier sensor will make getting shallow depth of field harder and the Pentax K-30 will offer more detail with its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will allow you to crop pics somewhat more aggressively. The more aged FP1 is going to be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

Panasonic FP1 vs Pentax K-30 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FP1 vs Pentax K-30 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FP1 vs Pentax K-30 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FP1 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax K-30 as a Portrait photography camera
21
lack of manual focus
manual exposure not available
cannot use external flash
low MP (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
74
has manual focus
decent MP (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
includes face detection autofocus
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FP1 Street photography features
Pentax K-30 Street photography features
55
has image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
heavier than average in class (151g)
68
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW files
environment proofing
screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FP1 Sports photography factors
Pentax K-30 Sports photography factors
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
max frames per second very slow (6.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
low MP (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
67
maximum shutter speed is high (1/6,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
includes tracking autofocus
environment proofing
has phase detect autofocus
low fps (6.0 fps)
low battery (410 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FP1 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax K-30 as a Travel photography camera
50
flash built-in
doesn't have Time Lapse function
heavier than average in class (151g)
low MP (12 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
wide angle not the best (35mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
60
environment proofing
decent MP (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
low battery (410 per charge)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic FP1
Landscape photography with Pentax K-30
28
has image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (35mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
manual exposure not available
low MP (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
doesn't have Time Lapse function
73
has manual focus
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW files
environment proofing
low battery (410 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FP1 Vlogging highlights
Pentax K-30 Vlogging highlights
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not the best (35mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
screen is not selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have mic jack
heavier than average in class (151 grams)
30
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detection autofocus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
does not have external mic port
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Panasonic FP1 vs Pentax K-30 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FP1 and Pentax K-30
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP1Pentax K-30
General Information
Company Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP1 Pentax K-30
Class Ultracompact Advanced DSLR
Released 2010-01-06 2012-10-29
Body design Ultracompact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by 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 12 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Maximum resolution 4000 x 3000 4928 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 6400 12800
Maximum boosted ISO - 25600
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 9 11
Cross focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens focal range 35-140mm (4.0x) -
Max aperture f/3.5-5.9 -
Macro focus range 10cm -
Number of lenses - 151
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.7 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 230k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
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 60s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/1600s 1/6000s
Continuous shooting speed 6.0 frames/s 6.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 4.90 m (Auto ISO) 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro 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 - 1/180s
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30fps), 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)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Mic 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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 151 gr (0.33 pounds) 650 gr (1.43 pounds)
Dimensions 99 x 59 x 19mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.7") 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 - 410 photographs
Type of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI109,4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots One One
Launch price $153 $525