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Panasonic FZ300 vs Pentax K-30

Portability
59
Imaging
37
Features
73
Overall
51
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ300 front
 
Pentax K-30 front
Portability
63
Imaging
57
Features
66
Overall
60

Panasonic FZ300 vs Pentax K-30 Key Specs

Panasonic FZ300
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1/16000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 25-600mm (F2.8) lens
  • 691g - 132 x 92 x 117mm
  • Revealed July 2015
  • Succeeded the Panasonic FZ200
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
  • Refreshed by Pentax K-50
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Panasonic FZ300 vs Pentax K-30 Overview

Let's look a bit more closely at the Panasonic FZ300 and Pentax K-30, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Advanced DSLR by companies Panasonic and Pentax. There exists a sizeable gap between the resolutions of the FZ300 (12MP) and K-30 (16MP) and the FZ300 (1/2.3") and K-30 (APS-C) provide different sensor sizes.

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The FZ300 was brought out 2 years after the K-30 which is quite a large gap as far as technology is concerned. Both of the cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic FZ300 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Pentax K-30 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before we go into a thorough comparison, here is a quick highlight of how the FZ300 scores against the K-30 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FZ300 over the Pentax K-30

 FZ300 K-30 
ReleasedJuly 2015October 2012More modern by 33 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen resolution1040k921kClearer screen (+119k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K-30 over the Panasonic FZ300

 K-30 FZ300 

Common features in the Panasonic FZ300 and Pentax K-30

 FZ300 K-30 
Focus manually Dial accurate focusing
Screen size3"3"Same screen dimensions

Panasonic FZ300 vs Pentax K-30 Physical Comparison

If you're going to carry around your camera, you should consider its weight and proportions. The Panasonic FZ300 enjoys external dimensions of 132mm x 92mm x 117mm (5.2" x 3.6" x 4.6") and a weight of 691 grams (1.52 lbs) while the Pentax K-30 has measurements of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") along with a weight of 650 grams (1.43 lbs).

Compare the Panasonic FZ300 and Pentax K-30 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are working with at that time. Here is a front view sizing comparison of the FZ300 vs the K-30.

Panasonic FZ300 vs Pentax K-30 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the FZ300 and K-30 is 59 and 63 respectively.

Panasonic FZ300 vs Pentax K-30 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FZ300 vs Pentax K-30 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it's difficult to picture the gap between sensor sizes merely by reading a spec sheet. The image below should offer you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the FZ300 and K-30.

Clearly, the two cameras come with different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The FZ300 due to its tinier sensor is going to make shooting shallower depth of field trickier and the Pentax K-30 will offer you greater detail having its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop pictures a good deal more aggressively. The fresher FZ300 provides an edge with regard to sensor tech.

Panasonic FZ300 vs Pentax K-30 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FZ300 vs Pentax K-30 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FZ300 vs Pentax K-30 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FZ300 Portrait photography information
Pentax K-30 Portrait photography information
46
you can focus manually
features face detection focus
exports RAW formats
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
74
manual focus
resolution is good (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
comes with face detection focusing
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic FZ300
Street photography with Pentax K-30
59
fully articulated screen
has image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW formats
provides focus via touch
environment proofing
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
more heavy than others (691 grams)
68
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW files
environment sealing
fixed screen
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FZ300 Sports photography highlights
Pentax K-30 Sports photography highlights
51
incredible zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
max shutter speed is good (1/16,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Optical)
features tracking autofocus
environment proofing
better than average battery power (380 CIPA)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
67
great max shutter speed (1/6,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
comes with tracking autofocus
environment sealing
supports phase detect AF
slow continuous shooting (6.0 frames per second)
terrible battery pack (410 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FZ300 Travel photography advice
Pentax K-30 Travel photography advice
59
better than average battery power (380 shots)
environment proofing
provides focus via touch
flash built-in
selfie friendly screen
decently wide (25mm)
great reach (600mm)
more heavy than others (691 grams)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
60
environment sealing
resolution is good (16MP)
has built in flash
terrible battery pack (410 per charge)
display isn't selfie friendly
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FZ300 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax K-30 as a Landscape photography camera
52
you can focus manually
decently wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW formats
environment proofing
better than average battery power (380 shots)
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
73
manual focus
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen is a good size (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW files
environment sealing
terrible battery pack (410 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FZ300 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax K-30 as a Vlogging camera
62
decently wide (25mm)
selfie friendly screen
touchscreen capability
has image stabilization (Optical)
features face detection focus
high video quality (3840 x 2160 pxls)
does have external microphone jack
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
more heavy than others (691 grams)
30
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detection focusing
good video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
display isn't selfie friendly
no external microphone support
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Panasonic FZ300 vs Pentax K-30 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FZ300 and Pentax K-30
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ300Pentax K-30
General Information
Make Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ300 Pentax K-30
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Advanced DSLR
Revealed 2015-07-16 2012-10-29
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by Venus Engine Prime M
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 4000 x 3000 4928 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 6400 12800
Maximum enhanced ISO - 25600
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 49 11
Cross focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens focal range 25-600mm (24.0x) -
Maximal aperture f/2.8 -
Macro focus range 1cm -
Number of lenses - 151
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1.5
Screen
Type of display Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display size 3" 3"
Display resolution 1,040 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display tech - TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder resolution 1,440 thousand dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.61x
Features
Min shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/16000 seconds 1/6000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 12.0 frames/s 6.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 8.80 m (at Auto ISO) 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, auto w/redeye reduction, forced on, forced on w/redeye reduction, slow sync, slow sync w/redeye reduction, forced off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye,Slow Sync, Slow Sync+ Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize - 1/180 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 3840 x 2160 (30p, 24p), 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 30p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p) 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 3840x2160 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, AVCHD MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In 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 691 gr (1.52 lb) 650 gr (1.43 lb)
Physical dimensions 132 x 92 x 117mm (5.2" x 3.6" x 4.6") 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 380 images 410 images
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI109,4 x AA
Self timer Yes Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC card SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 1 1
Retail cost $598 $525