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Panasonic LZ30 vs Pentax K-5 II

Portability
66
Imaging
40
Features
32
Overall
36
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ30 front
 
Pentax K-5 II front
Portability
60
Imaging
58
Features
82
Overall
67

Panasonic LZ30 vs Pentax K-5 II 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
  • Succeeded the Panasonic LZ20
  • Newer Model is Panasonic LZ40
Pentax K-5 II
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Bump to 51200)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 760g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
  • Launched June 2013
  • Replaced the Pentax K-5
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Panasonic LZ30 vs Pentax K-5 II Overview

Let's examine more in depth at the Panasonic LZ30 and Pentax K-5 II, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Advanced DSLR by companies Panasonic and Pentax. The resolution of the LZ30 (16MP) and the K-5 II (16MP) is pretty comparable but the LZ30 (1/2.3") and K-5 II (APS-C) enjoy different sensor dimensions.

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The LZ30 was announced 4 months prior to the K-5 II which means that they are of a similar generation. Each of the cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic LZ30 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Pentax K-5 II being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before going in to a thorough comparison, below is a simple synopsis of how the LZ30 scores vs the K-5 II when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic LZ30 over the Pentax K-5 II

 LZ30 K-5 II 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-5 II over the Panasonic LZ30

 K-5 II LZ30 
Manual focus Very precise focus
Screen resolution921k460kSharper screen (+461k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic LZ30 and Pentax K-5 II

 LZ30 K-5 II 
LaunchedJanuary 2013June 2013Same generation
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen sizing
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch screen Lack of Touch screen

Panasonic LZ30 vs Pentax K-5 II Physical Comparison

For anybody who is planning to carry around your camera regularly, you will want to think about its weight and size. The Panasonic LZ30 has got physical measurements of 124mm x 84mm x 92mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 3.6") accompanied by a weight of 552 grams (1.22 lbs) while the Pentax K-5 II has specifications of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") accompanied by a weight of 760 grams (1.68 lbs).

Contrast the Panasonic LZ30 and Pentax K-5 II in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you are utilising at the time. Following is the front view sizing comparison of the LZ30 compared to the K-5 II.

Panasonic LZ30 vs Pentax K-5 II size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the LZ30 and K-5 II is 66 and 60 respectively.

Panasonic LZ30 vs Pentax K-5 II top view buttons comparison

Panasonic LZ30 vs Pentax K-5 II Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is tough to visualize the contrast in sensor sizes just by checking out specifications. The picture underneath will help provide you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the LZ30 and K-5 II.

Plainly, each of these cameras posses the exact same resolution albeit different sensor sizes. The LZ30 contains the smaller sensor which will make getting shallower DOF more difficult.

Panasonic LZ30 vs Pentax K-5 II sensor size comparison

Panasonic LZ30 vs Pentax K-5 II Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic LZ30 vs Pentax K-5 II Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic LZ30 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax K-5 II as a Portrait photography camera
32
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
can't use external flash
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
74
you can focus manually
MP count good (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
has face detection autofocus
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Panasonic LZ30 Street photography highlights
Pentax K-5 II Street photography highlights
43
image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
heavier than competition in class (552 grams)
67
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
environment sealing
screen is fixed
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic LZ30 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax K-5 II as a Sports photography camera
47
excellent zoom range (25-875mm 35.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
provides tracking focus
great battery life (380 per charge)
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
79
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
has tracking autofocus
environment sealing
has phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic LZ30 Travel photography factors
Pentax K-5 II Travel photography factors
56
great battery life (380 per charge)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
has built in flash
really wide (25mm)
great zoom (875mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
heavier than competition in class (552g)
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
65
environment sealing
MP count good (16MP)
built-in flash
doesn't have selfie friendly display
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Panasonic LZ30 Landscape photography advice
Pentax K-5 II Landscape photography advice
45
really wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
great battery life (380 per charge)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
79
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
environment sealing
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic LZ30 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax K-5 II as a Vlogging camera
22
really wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have mic jack
heavier than competition in class (552 grams)
33
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detection autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
has external mic port
doesn't have selfie friendly display
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Panasonic LZ30 vs Pentax K-5 II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic LZ30 and Pentax K-5 II
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ30Pentax K-5 II
General Information
Company Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ30 Pentax K-5 II
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Advanced DSLR
Introduced 2013-01-07 2013-06-04
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by - Prime II
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 3:2
Highest resolution 4608 x 3456 4928 x 3264
Highest native ISO 6400 12800
Highest boosted ISO - 51200
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Min boosted ISO - 80
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points - 11
Cross type focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens zoom range 25-875mm (35.0x) -
Max aperture f/3.0-5.9 -
Macro focusing range 1cm -
Number of lenses - 151
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1.5
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3" 3"
Display resolution 460k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display technology TFT LCD TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.61x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 1.0 frames per second 7.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 4.40 m 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, High speed, Rear curtain and Wireless
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (25 fps), 1280 x 720 (25, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (25, 30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 552g (1.22 lbs) 760g (1.68 lbs)
Dimensions 124 x 84 x 92mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 3.6") 131 x 97 x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 82
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.8
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 14.1
DXO Low light rating not tested 1235
Other
Battery life 380 pictures 980 pictures
Type of battery AA Battery Pack
Battery ID 4 x AA D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 0r 10 sec) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots Single Single
Cost at launch $230 $830