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Panasonic FZ100 vs Pentax K-30

Portability
67
Imaging
37
Features
62
Overall
47
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ100 front
 
Pentax K-30 front
Portability
63
Imaging
57
Features
66
Overall
60

Panasonic FZ100 vs Pentax K-30 Key Specs

Panasonic FZ100
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-600mm (F2.8-5.2) lens
  • 540g - 124 x 82 x 92mm
  • Introduced July 2010
  • Later Model is Panasonic FZ200
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
  • Renewed by Pentax K-50
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Panasonic FZ100 vs Pentax K-30 Overview

Here, we will be matching up the Panasonic FZ100 versus Pentax K-30, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Advanced DSLR by companies Panasonic and Pentax. The image resolution of the FZ100 (14MP) and the K-30 (16MP) is pretty well matched but the FZ100 (1/2.3") and K-30 (APS-C) boast totally different sensor measurements.

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The FZ100 was brought out 3 years before the K-30 and that is quite a large gap as far as tech is concerned. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic FZ100 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Pentax K-30 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before diving straight to a full comparison, here is a short summary of how the FZ100 grades vs the K-30 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FZ100 over the Pentax K-30

 FZ100 K-30 
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Pentax K-30 over the Panasonic FZ100

 K-30 FZ100 
ReleasedOctober 2012July 2010Fresher by 27 months
Screen resolution921k460kSharper screen (+461k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic FZ100 and Pentax K-30

 FZ100 K-30 
Manually focus Very exact focusing
Screen size3"3"Same screen measurements
Touch friendly screen Neither offers Touch friendly screen

Panasonic FZ100 vs Pentax K-30 Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to carry your camera regularly, you should factor its weight and proportions. The Panasonic FZ100 offers physical dimensions of 124mm x 82mm x 92mm (4.9" x 3.2" x 3.6") accompanied by a weight of 540 grams (1.19 lbs) while the Pentax K-30 has measurements of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") and a weight of 650 grams (1.43 lbs).

Analyze the Panasonic FZ100 versus Pentax K-30 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you are utilizing at that moment. Here is a front view proportions comparison of the FZ100 against the K-30.

Panasonic FZ100 vs Pentax K-30 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the FZ100 and K-30 is 67 and 63 respectively.

Panasonic FZ100 vs Pentax K-30 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FZ100 vs Pentax K-30 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is tough to visualise the gap between sensor sizing purely by checking a spec sheet. The visual underneath should provide you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the FZ100 and K-30.

As you can see, both of the cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The FZ100 featuring a tinier sensor will make getting shallower depth of field more challenging and the Pentax K-30 will resolve more detail having its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will help you crop shots way more aggressively. The older FZ100 is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor innovation.

Panasonic FZ100 vs Pentax K-30 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FZ100 vs Pentax K-30 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FZ100 vs Pentax K-30 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FZ100 Portrait photography information
Pentax K-30 Portrait photography information
54
you can focus manually
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
has face detection focus
delivers RAW files
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
74
you can focus manually
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
comes with face detection focus
saves RAW files
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic FZ100
Street photography with Pentax K-30
58
screen articulates fully
has image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW files
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
more heavy than average in class (540g)
68
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
weather proof
screen is fixed
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic FZ100
Sports photography with Pentax K-30
51
excellent zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
has tracking autofocus
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
67
high shutter speed (1/6,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
comes with tracking autofocus
weather proof
sensor has phase detect auto focus
very slow continuous shooting (6.0 frames per second)
bad battery (410 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic FZ100
Travel photography with Pentax K-30
59
megapixel count decent (14MP)
flash built-in
display is selfie friendly
reasonably wide (25mm)
great zoom (600mm)
does not have Timelapse function
more heavy than average in class (540g)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
60
weather proof
good megapixels (16MP)
flash built-in
bad battery (410 CIPA)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FZ100 Landscape photography info
Pentax K-30 Landscape photography info
51
you can focus manually
reasonably wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (14MP)
delivers RAW files
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have Timelapse function
73
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
good sized screen (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
weather proof
bad battery (410 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FZ100 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax K-30 as a Vlogging camera
64
reasonably wide (25mm)
display is selfie friendly
has image stabilization (Optical)
has face detection focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
includes external microphone jack
slow max aperture (f2.8)
more heavy than average in class (540 grams)
30
image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detection focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
display isn't selfie friendly
doesn't have external mic support
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Panasonic FZ100 vs Pentax K-30 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FZ100 and Pentax K-30
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ100Pentax K-30
General Information
Make Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ100 Pentax K-30
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Advanced DSLR
Introduced 2010-07-21 2012-10-29
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by Venus Engine FHD Prime M
Sensor type CMOS 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 14MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Maximum resolution 4320 x 3240 4928 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 6400 12800
Maximum boosted ISO - 25600
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points - 11
Cross focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens focal range 25-600mm (24.0x) -
Highest aperture f/2.8-5.2 -
Macro focus range 1cm -
Number of lenses - 151
Crop factor 5.9 1.5
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display size 3" 3"
Display resolution 460k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display technology - TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.61x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/6000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 11.0 frames/s 6.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 9.50 m 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye,Slow Sync, Slow Sync+ Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize - 1/180 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (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)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format AVCHD 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
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 540g (1.19 lbs) 650g (1.43 lbs)
Physical dimensions 124 x 82 x 92mm (4.9" x 3.2" x 3.6") 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 secs) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 1 1
Retail price $500 $525