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Panasonic FX580 vs Pentax K-30

Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
29
Overall
32
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX580 front
 
Pentax K-30 front
Portability
63
Imaging
58
Features
66
Overall
61

Panasonic FX580 vs Pentax K-30 Key Specs

Panasonic FX580
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600 (Push to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-125mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 167g - 95 x 57 x 22mm
  • Announced January 2009
  • Other Name is Lumix DMC-FX550
Pentax K-30
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Increase 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
  • Newer Model is Pentax K-50
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Panasonic FX580 vs Pentax K-30 Overview

Here is a complete analysis of the Panasonic FX580 vs Pentax K-30, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Advanced DSLR by competitors Panasonic and Pentax. There is a big difference among the sensor resolutions of the FX580 (12MP) and K-30 (16MP) and the FX580 (1/2.3") and K-30 (APS-C) have different sensor dimensions.

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The FX580 was announced 4 years earlier than the K-30 and that is a fairly big gap as far as camera tech is concerned. The two cameras have different body design with the Panasonic FX580 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-30 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before getting straight to a complete comparison, here is a simple view of how the FX580 matches up vs the K-30 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic FX580 over the Pentax K-30

 FX580 K-30 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-30 over the Panasonic FX580

 K-30 FX580 
ReleasedOctober 2012January 2009Fresher by 45 months
Manual focus More precise focus
Screen resolution921k230kCrisper screen (+691k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic FX580 and Pentax K-30

 FX580 K-30 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen sizing
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither provides Touch friendly screen

Panasonic FX580 vs Pentax K-30 Physical Comparison

In case you're aiming to carry your camera, you will have to take into account its weight and proportions. The Panasonic FX580 provides outside dimensions of 95mm x 57mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs) and the Pentax K-30 has measurements of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") accompanied by a weight of 650 grams (1.43 lbs).

Look at the Panasonic FX580 vs Pentax K-30 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you choose at the time. Here is a front view measurement comparison of the FX580 compared to the K-30.

Panasonic FX580 vs Pentax K-30 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the FX580 and K-30 is 95 and 63 respectively.

Panasonic FX580 vs Pentax K-30 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FX580 vs Pentax K-30 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it can be difficult to visualize the difference in sensor sizing merely by checking out specs. The visual below may offer you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the FX580 and K-30.

As you can plainly see, each of these cameras provide different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The FX580 with its smaller sensor is going to make shooting shallower depth of field more challenging and the Pentax K-30 will show extra detail with its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop shots more aggressively. The older FX580 will be behind with regard to sensor technology.

Panasonic FX580 vs Pentax K-30 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FX580 vs Pentax K-30 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FX580 vs Pentax K-30 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FX580 Portrait photography features
Pentax K-30 Portrait photography features
26
features face detect focusing
lack of manual focus
manual mode not available
can't use external flash
megapixel count low (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
74
you can focus manually
good megapixels (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports face detection autofocus
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FX580 Street photography info
Pentax K-30 Street photography info
57
has image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
68
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
environment sealing
screen is fixed
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FX580 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax K-30 as a Sports photography camera
27
has image stabilization (Optical)
max fps very slow (2.0 frames/s)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
67
great max shutter speed (1/6,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports tracking autofocus
environment sealing
supports phase detect autofocus
painfully slow continuous shooting (6.0 fps)
bad battery (410 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FX580 Travel photography information
Pentax K-30 Travel photography information
58
built-in flash
really wide (25mm)
does not have Timelapse mode
megapixel count low (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
60
environment sealing
good megapixels (16MP)
has built in flash
bad battery (410 shots)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic FX580
Landscape photography with Pentax K-30
37
really wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
manual mode not available
megapixel count low (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
does not have Timelapse mode
73
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
pretty good screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
environment sealing
bad battery (410 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FX580 Vlogging factors
Pentax K-30 Vlogging factors
31
really wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect focusing
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have microphone socket
30
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detection autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
display isn't selfie friendly
no external mic jack
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Panasonic FX580 vs Pentax K-30 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FX580 and Pentax K-30
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX580Pentax K-30
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX580 Pentax K-30
Also called Lumix DMC-FX550 -
Category Small Sensor Compact Advanced DSLR
Announced 2009-01-27 2012-10-29
Body design 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 12MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2 3:2
Full resolution 4000 x 3000 4928 x 3264
Max native ISO 1600 12800
Max boosted ISO 6400 25600
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 11 11
Cross focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens focal range 25-125mm (5.0x) -
Highest aperture f/2.8-5.9 -
Macro focus range 5cm -
Number of lenses - 151
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1.5
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 230 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display 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 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/6000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 2.0fps 6.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated 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
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync - 1/180 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 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)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Mic input
Headphone input
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 167 grams (0.37 pounds) 650 grams (1.43 pounds)
Physical dimensions 95 x 57 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" 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 pictures
Form 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
Storage media SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots 1 1
Retail price $499 $525