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Panasonic LZ30 vs Pentax K-30

Portability
66
Imaging
40
Features
32
Overall
36
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ30 front
 
Pentax K-30 front
Portability
63
Imaging
57
Features
66
Overall
60

Panasonic LZ30 vs Pentax K-30 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
  • Launched January 2013
  • Older Model is Panasonic LZ20
  • Renewed by Panasonic LZ40
Pentax K-30
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Push to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 650g - 130 x 97 x 71mm
  • Launched October 2012
  • Newer Model is Pentax K-50
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Panasonic LZ30 vs Pentax K-30 Overview

Below, we are comparing the Panasonic LZ30 versus Pentax K-30, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Advanced DSLR by rivals Panasonic and Pentax. The image resolution of the LZ30 (16MP) and the K-30 (16MP) is fairly close but the LZ30 (1/2.3") and K-30 (APS-C) come with different sensor size.

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The LZ30 was brought out 3 months after the K-30 so they are of a similar age. Both of the cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic LZ30 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Pentax K-30 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before delving through a full comparison, below is a concise view of how the LZ30 grades against the K-30 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic LZ30 over the Pentax K-30

 LZ30 K-30 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-30 over the Panasonic LZ30

 K-30 LZ30 
Manually focus Very exact focusing
Display resolution921k460kClearer display (+461k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic LZ30 and Pentax K-30

 LZ30 K-30 
LaunchedJanuary 2013October 2012Same age
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimension3"3"Identical display size
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither provides Touch friendly display

Panasonic LZ30 vs Pentax K-30 Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to travel with your camera regularly, you'll have to take into account its weight and volume. The Panasonic LZ30 provides physical dimensions of 124mm x 84mm x 92mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 3.6") and a weight of 552 grams (1.22 lbs) while the Pentax K-30 has sizing of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") accompanied by a weight of 650 grams (1.43 lbs).

Check out the Panasonic LZ30 versus Pentax K-30 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are utilizing at that moment. Following is the front view measurement comparison of the LZ30 versus the K-30.

Panasonic LZ30 vs Pentax K-30 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the LZ30 and K-30 is 66 and 63 respectively.

Panasonic LZ30 vs Pentax K-30 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic LZ30 vs Pentax K-30 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it's hard to imagine the contrast in sensor dimensions simply by looking through a spec sheet. The picture here may offer you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the LZ30 and K-30.

Clearly, each of the cameras posses the exact same MP but different sensor dimensions. The LZ30 has got the smaller sensor which is going to make achieving shallow DOF more challenging.

Panasonic LZ30 vs Pentax K-30 sensor size comparison

Panasonic LZ30 vs Pentax K-30 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic LZ30 vs Pentax K-30 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic LZ30 Portrait photography advice
Pentax K-30 Portrait photography advice
32
decent MP (16 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
cannot use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
74
has manual focus
megapixel count good (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
provides face detect focus
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Panasonic LZ30 as a Street photography camera
Pentax K-30 as a Street photography camera
43
has image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
more heavy than competitors in class (552 grams)
68
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
environment proofing
no moving screen
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic LZ30 Sports photography factors
Pentax K-30 Sports photography factors
47
long zoom range (25-875mm 35.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
features tracking autofocus
great battery power (380 CIPA)
low frames per second (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
67
maximum shutter speed is high (1/6,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
provides tracking focus
environment proofing
supports phase detect auto focus
continuous shooting slow (6.0 frames/s)
bad battery (410 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic LZ30 Travel photography advice
Pentax K-30 Travel photography advice
56
great battery power (380 shots)
decent MP (16MP)
flash built-in
pretty wide (25mm)
long reach (875mm)
missing Timelapse function
more heavy than competitors in class (552g)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f3.0)
60
environment proofing
megapixel count good (16MP)
flash built-in
bad battery (410 CIPA)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic LZ30
Landscape photography with Pentax K-30
45
pretty wide (25mm)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16MP)
great battery power (380 per charge)
lack of manual focus
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.0)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
missing Timelapse function
73
has manual focus
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
environment proofing
bad battery (410 CIPA)
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic LZ30 Vlogging factors
Pentax K-30 Vlogging factors
22
pretty wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
slow max aperture (f3.0)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing external microphone socket
more heavy than competitors in class (552g)
30
image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detect focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
display is not selfie friendly
no microphone support
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Panasonic LZ30 vs Pentax K-30 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic LZ30 and Pentax K-30
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ30Pentax K-30
General Information
Brand Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ30 Pentax K-30
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Advanced DSLR
Launched 2013-01-07 2012-10-29
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Prime M
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 3:2
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 4928 x 3264
Max native ISO 6400 12800
Max boosted ISO - 25600
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points - 11
Cross type focus points - 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens zoom range 25-875mm (35.0x) -
Largest aperture f/3.0-5.9 -
Macro focusing range 1cm -
Total lenses - 151
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 460k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display tech TFT LCD TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.61x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000s 1/6000s
Continuous shooting rate 1.0fps 6.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 4.40 m 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-eye,Slow Sync, Slow Sync+ Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize - 1/180s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (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 file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone 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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 552 gr (1.22 lbs) 650 gr (1.43 lbs)
Dimensions 124 x 84 x 92mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 3.6") 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 79
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.7
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 13.0
DXO Low light rating not tested 1129
Other
Battery life 380 photos 410 photos
Style of battery AA Battery Pack
Battery ID 4 x AA D-LI109,4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 0r 10 sec) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Single Single
Retail cost $230 $525