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Panasonic LZ30 vs Pentax K-1

Portability
66
Imaging
40
Features
32
Overall
36
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ30 front
 
Pentax K-1 front
Portability
55
Imaging
76
Features
82
Overall
78

Panasonic LZ30 vs Pentax K-1 Key Specs

Panasonic LZ30
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-875mm (F3.0-5.9) lens
  • 552g - 124 x 84 x 92mm
  • Introduced January 2013
  • Previous Model is Panasonic LZ20
  • Refreshed by Panasonic LZ40
Pentax K-1
(Full Review)
  • 36MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 204800
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 1010g - 137 x 110 x 86mm
  • Revealed February 2016
  • New Model is Pentax K-1 II
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Panasonic LZ30 vs Pentax K-1 Overview

Here is a comprehensive overview of the Panasonic LZ30 and Pentax K-1, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Advanced DSLR by rivals Panasonic and Pentax. There exists a crucial gap among the resolutions of the LZ30 (16MP) and K-1 (36MP) and the LZ30 (1/2.3") and K-1 (Full frame) enjoy different sensor dimensions.

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The LZ30 was released 4 years prior to the K-1 and that is a fairly serious gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of the cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic LZ30 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Pentax K-1 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before going in to a step-by-step comparison, below is a concise view of how the LZ30 scores versus the K-1 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic LZ30 over the Pentax K-1

 LZ30 K-1 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-1 over the Panasonic LZ30

 K-1 LZ30 
RevealedFebruary 2016January 2013Fresher by 37 months
Manual focus Dial precise focusing
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen dimension3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution1037k460kClearer screen (+577k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic LZ30 and Pentax K-1

 LZ30 K-1 
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Missing Touch friendly screen

Panasonic LZ30 vs Pentax K-1 Physical Comparison

If you're planning to carry your camera often, you will have to factor its weight and volume. The Panasonic LZ30 provides external dimensions of 124mm x 84mm x 92mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 3.6") along with a weight of 552 grams (1.22 lbs) while the Pentax K-1 has sizing of 137mm x 110mm x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4") having a weight of 1010 grams (2.23 lbs).

See the Panasonic LZ30 and Pentax K-1 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you select at that moment. Below is the front view physical size comparison of the LZ30 and the K-1.

Panasonic LZ30 vs Pentax K-1 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the LZ30 and K-1 is 66 and 55 respectively.

Panasonic LZ30 vs Pentax K-1 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic LZ30 vs Pentax K-1 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is very hard to picture the contrast in sensor sizing purely by seeing specs. The graphic underneath should provide you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the LZ30 and K-1.

All in all, both of those cameras posses different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The LZ30 due to its smaller sensor is going to make achieving shallower DOF trickier and the Pentax K-1 will provide greater detail as a result of its extra 20MP. Higher resolution can also let you crop pictures somewhat more aggressively. The older LZ30 will be behind when it comes to sensor technology.

Panasonic LZ30 vs Pentax K-1 sensor size comparison

Panasonic LZ30 vs Pentax K-1 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic LZ30 vs Pentax K-1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic LZ30
Portrait photography with Pentax K-1
32
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
manual focus not available
no external flash support
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
85
focusing manually
high MP (36MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
comes with face detection focusing
exports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic LZ30 as a Street photography camera
Pentax K-1 as a Street photography camera
43
has image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
heavier than competition in class (552g)
70
fully articulated screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
exports RAW files
environment sealing
very good high ISO (204,800)
more heavy than competition in class (1,010g)
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic LZ30 Sports photography factors
Pentax K-1 Sports photography factors
47
long zoom range (25-875mm 35.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16MP)
includes tracking focus
better than average battery (380 per charge)
slow frames per second (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
76
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
high MP (36 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
comes with tracking autofocus
environment sealing
has phase detect AF
max fps low (4.4 fps)
low battery power (760 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic LZ30 Travel photography advice
Pentax K-1 Travel photography advice
56
better than average battery (380 CIPA)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (25mm)
long zoom (875mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
heavier than competition in class (552 grams)
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
53
environment sealing
high MP (36 megapixels)
low battery power (760 per charge)
more heavy than competition in class (1,010 grams)
display isn't selfie friendly
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Panasonic LZ30 Landscape photography information
Pentax K-1 Landscape photography information
45
reasonably wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16MP)
better than average battery (380 per charge)
manual focus not available
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
does not have Time Lapse mode
81
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
pretty good screen size (3.2 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
high MP (36MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
does not have anti-alias filter
very good high ISO (204,800)
exports RAW files
environment sealing
has double storage slots
low battery power (760 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic LZ30 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax K-1 as a Vlogging camera
22
reasonably wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have mic port
heavier than competition in class (552g)
31
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
comes with face detection focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
has external microphone port
display isn't selfie friendly
more heavy than competition in class (1,010 grams)
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Panasonic LZ30 vs Pentax K-1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic LZ30 and Pentax K-1
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ30Pentax K-1
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ30 Pentax K-1
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Advanced DSLR
Introduced 2013-01-07 2016-02-17
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Full frame
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 36 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 3:2
Highest resolution 4608 x 3456 7360 x 4912
Highest native ISO 6400 204800
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points - 33
Cross focus points - 25
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens focal range 25-875mm (35.0x) -
Largest aperture f/3.0-5.9 -
Macro focus distance 1cm -
Number of lenses - 151
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Display sizing 3 inch 3.2 inch
Display resolution 460 thousand dot 1,037 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display tech TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.7x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 1.0 frames/s 4.4 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 4.40 m no built-in flash
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto Flash Discharge, Auto Flash + Red-eye Reduction, Flash On, Flash On + Red-eye Reduction, Slow-speed Sync, Slow-speed Sync + Red-eye, P-TTL, Trailing Curtain Sync, Contrast-control-sync, High-speed sync, Wireless sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync - 1/200 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Built-in
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 552 grams (1.22 pounds) 1010 grams (2.23 pounds)
Dimensions 124 x 84 x 92mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 3.6") 137 x 110 x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 96
DXO Color Depth score not tested 25.4
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 14.6
DXO Low light score not tested 3280
Other
Battery life 380 photographs 760 photographs
Battery form AA Battery Pack
Battery model 4 x AA D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 0r 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I)
Storage slots 1 Dual
Retail cost $230 $1,499