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Panasonic LZ30 vs Pentax K-r

Portability
66
Imaging
40
Features
32
Overall
36
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ30 front
 
Pentax K-r front
Portability
67
Imaging
53
Features
52
Overall
52

Panasonic LZ30 vs Pentax K-r 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
  • Earlier Model is Panasonic LZ20
  • Replacement is Panasonic LZ40
Pentax K-r
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 12800 (Raise to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 598g - 125 x 97 x 68mm
  • Launched March 2011
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Panasonic LZ30 vs Pentax K-r Overview

Let's examine more closely at the Panasonic LZ30 and Pentax K-r, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by competitors Panasonic and Pentax. There is a substantial difference between the resolutions of the LZ30 (16MP) and K-r (12MP) and the LZ30 (1/2.3") and K-r (APS-C) enjoy totally different sensor sizes.

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The LZ30 was unveiled 23 months after the K-r making the cameras a generation away from each other. Each of these cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic LZ30 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Pentax K-r being a Compact SLR camera.

Before delving through a detailed comparison, below is a brief highlight of how the LZ30 scores vs the K-r in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic LZ30 over the Pentax K-r

 LZ30 K-r 
LaunchedJanuary 2013March 2011Newer by 23 months

Reasons to pick Pentax K-r over the Panasonic LZ30

 K-r LZ30 
Manually focus Very exact focus
Display resolution921k460kSharper display (+461k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic LZ30 and Pentax K-r

 LZ30 K-r 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display dimensions
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch display Lack of Touch display

Panasonic LZ30 vs Pentax K-r Physical Comparison

For those who are looking to travel with your camera regularly, you'll have to factor its weight and size. The Panasonic LZ30 offers exterior 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) whilst the Pentax K-r has specifications of 125mm x 97mm x 68mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.7") along with a weight of 598 grams (1.32 lbs).

Analyze the Panasonic LZ30 and Pentax K-r in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you have attached at the time. The following is the front view physical size comparison of the LZ30 versus the K-r.

Panasonic LZ30 vs Pentax K-r size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the LZ30 and K-r is 66 and 67 respectively.

Panasonic LZ30 vs Pentax K-r top view buttons comparison

Panasonic LZ30 vs Pentax K-r Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is very tough to envision the difference between sensor dimensions merely by reviewing specifications. The image here will help give you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the LZ30 and K-r.

To sum up, both of these cameras offer different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The LZ30 with its tinier sensor will make shooting shallow DOF harder and the Panasonic LZ30 will offer extra detail having an extra 4MP. Greater resolution will make it easier to crop pics a little more aggressively. The newer LZ30 will have an advantage in sensor tech.

Panasonic LZ30 vs Pentax K-r sensor size comparison

Panasonic LZ30 vs Pentax K-r Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic LZ30 Portrait photography advice
Pentax K-r Portrait photography advice
32
decent megapixels (16MP)
manual focus not available
external flash not possible
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
63
manual focus
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
provides face detection focusing
exports RAW formats
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Panasonic LZ30 Street photography factors
Pentax K-r Street photography factors
43
has image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
heavier than others in class (552 grams)
67
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic LZ30 Sports photography info
Pentax K-r Sports photography info
47
incredible zoom range (25-875mm 35.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
offers tracking autofocus
great battery power (380 shots)
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
55
max shutter speed is good (1/6,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
comes with phase detect AF
max fps low (6.0 frames per second)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
low battery power (470 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic LZ30 Travel photography advice
Pentax K-r Travel photography advice
56
great battery power (380 CIPA)
decent megapixels (16MP)
built-in flash
really wide (25mm)
very long zoom (875mm)
no Time Lapse function
heavier than others in class (552 grams)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
47
has built in flash
low battery power (470 CIPA)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic LZ30 Landscape photography information
Pentax K-r Landscape photography information
45
really wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
great battery power (380 CIPA)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
no Time Lapse function
65
manual focus
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
pretty good screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
low battery power (470 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic LZ30 Vlogging advice
Pentax K-r Vlogging advice
22
really wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
no external mic socket
heavier than others in class (552 grams)
26
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detection focusing
display is not selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have external microphone port
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Panasonic LZ30 vs Pentax K-r Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic LZ30 and Pentax K-r
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ30Pentax K-r
General Information
Make Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ30 Pentax K-r
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level DSLR
Launched 2013-01-07 2011-03-11
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by - Prime II
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.6 x 15.8mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 372.9mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 3:2
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 4288 x 2848
Maximum native ISO 6400 12800
Maximum boosted ISO - 25600
Min native ISO 100 200
RAW support
Min boosted ISO - 100
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points - 11
Cross type focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens zoom range 25-875mm (35.0x) -
Maximum aperture f/3.0-5.9 -
Macro focusing distance 1cm -
Number of lenses - 151
Crop factor 5.8 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3" 3"
Resolution of display 460 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display tech TFT LCD TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 96%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.57x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/6000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 1.0 frames per second 6.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 4.40 m 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, Red-eye Reduction, Slow-speed Sync, Trailing Curtain Sync, High-Speed Sync and Wireless Sync
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync - 1/180 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (25 fps), 640 x 480 (25 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone 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
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 552 grams (1.22 lb) 598 grams (1.32 lb)
Dimensions 124 x 84 x 92mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 3.6") 125 x 97 x 68mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 72
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 22.9
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.4
DXO Low light rating not tested 755
Other
Battery life 380 shots 470 shots
Type 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 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC
Storage slots One One
Retail pricing $230 $1,100