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Panasonic FX48 vs Pentax K-30

Portability
95
Imaging
34
Features
21
Overall
28
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX48 front
 
Pentax K-30 front
Portability
63
Imaging
57
Features
66
Overall
60

Panasonic FX48 vs Pentax K-30 Key Specs

Panasonic FX48
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200 (Push to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 25-125mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 150g - 95 x 53 x 22mm
  • Released January 2009
  • Other Name is Lumix DMC-FX40
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
  • Released October 2012
  • Renewed by Pentax K-50
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Panasonic FX48 vs Pentax K-30 Overview

The following is a detailed assessment of the Panasonic FX48 vs Pentax K-30, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Advanced DSLR by brands Panasonic and Pentax. There exists a sizeable gap among the image resolutions of the FX48 (12MP) and K-30 (16MP) and the FX48 (1/2.3") and K-30 (APS-C) provide different sensor sizes.

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The FX48 was introduced 4 years earlier than the K-30 which is a fairly large gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both the cameras have different body design with the Panasonic FX48 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-30 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before getting straight to a in-depth comparison, here is a concise overview of how the FX48 grades vs the K-30 for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FX48 over the Pentax K-30

 FX48 K-30 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-30 over the Panasonic FX48

 K-30 FX48 
ReleasedOctober 2012January 2009Newer by 45 months
Focus manually Very precise focus
Screen dimensions3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution921k230kSharper screen (+691k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic FX48 and Pentax K-30

 FX48 K-30 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch screen Neither includes Touch screen

Panasonic FX48 vs Pentax K-30 Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to travel with your camera regularly, you should think about its weight and size. The Panasonic FX48 features exterior dimensions of 95mm x 53mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.9") and a weight of 150 grams (0.33 lbs) while the Pentax K-30 has specifications of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") having a weight of 650 grams (1.43 lbs).

See the Panasonic FX48 vs Pentax K-30 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are working with at that moment. Here is a front view sizing comparison of the FX48 and the K-30.

Panasonic FX48 vs Pentax K-30 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the FX48 and K-30 is 95 and 63 respectively.

Panasonic FX48 vs Pentax K-30 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FX48 vs Pentax K-30 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is tough to picture the contrast in sensor dimensions only by looking through technical specs. The pic below may offer you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the FX48 and K-30.

As you have seen, each of the cameras provide different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The FX48 with its smaller sensor is going to make getting shallower DOF more challenging and the Pentax K-30 will provide you with more detail using its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will allow you to crop photographs more aggressively. The more aged FX48 will be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Panasonic FX48 vs Pentax K-30 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FX48 vs Pentax K-30 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FX48 vs Pentax K-30 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic FX48
Portrait photography with Pentax K-30
27
supports face detect focus
focusing manually not possible
can't use external flash
low resolution (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
74
you can focus manually
MP count decent (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
has face detection focusing
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FX48 Street photography info
Pentax K-30 Street photography info
56
image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
68
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
environment proof
no moving screen
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Panasonic FX48 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax K-30 as a Sports photography camera
25
image stabilization (Optical)
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
low resolution (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
67
great max shutter speed (1/6,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
has tracking autofocus
environment proof
sensor has phase detect AF
max frames per second low (6.0 frames/s)
bad battery (410 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic FX48
Travel photography with Pentax K-30
58
built-in flash
quite wide (25mm)
no Timelapse function
low resolution (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
60
environment proof
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
bad battery (410 per charge)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FX48 Landscape photography highlights
Pentax K-30 Landscape photography highlights
33
quite wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is somewhat small (2.5 inches)
low resolution (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
no Timelapse function
73
you can focus manually
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen is a decent size (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
environment proof
bad battery (410 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FX48 Vlogging factors
Pentax K-30 Vlogging factors
30
quite wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect focus
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
display is not selfie friendly
video resolution low (640 x 480 pxls)
no microphone port
30
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detection focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
does not have external mic support
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Panasonic FX48 vs Pentax K-30 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FX48 and Pentax K-30
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX48Pentax K-30
General Information
Company Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX48 Pentax K-30
Alternate name Lumix DMC-FX40 -
Category Small Sensor Compact Advanced DSLR
Released 2009-01-27 2012-10-29
Physical type Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by - 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
Highest resolution 4000 x 3000 4928 x 3264
Highest native ISO 3200 12800
Highest boosted ISO 6400 25600
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
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
Number of focus points 11 11
Cross focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens focal range 25-125mm (5.0x) -
Largest aperture f/2.8-5.9 -
Macro focus range 5cm -
Number of lenses - 151
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.5 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 230 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen technology - TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.61x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/3000 secs 1/6000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 2.0 frames per sec 6.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 6.00 m 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye,Slow Sync, Slow Sync+ Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize - 1/180 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 848 x 480 (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 640x480 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Mic support
Headphone support
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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 150g (0.33 pounds) 650g (1.43 pounds)
Physical dimensions 95 x 53 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.9") 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 shots
Battery style - 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/MMC/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 1 1
Price at launch $325 $525