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Panasonic LZ30 vs Pentax K20D

Portability
66
Imaging
40
Features
32
Overall
36
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ30 front
 
Pentax K20D front
Portability
59
Imaging
53
Features
52
Overall
52

Panasonic LZ30 vs Pentax K20D Key Specs

Panasonic LZ30
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-875mm (F3.0-5.9) lens
  • 552g - 124 x 84 x 92mm
  • Released January 2013
  • Previous Model is Panasonic LZ20
  • Successor is Panasonic LZ40
Pentax K20D
(Full Review)
  • 15MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200 (Expand to 6400)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 800g - 142 x 101 x 70mm
  • Released June 2008
  • Succeeded the Pentax K10D
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Panasonic LZ30 vs Pentax K20D Overview

In this article, we will be comparing the Panasonic LZ30 and Pentax K20D, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Advanced DSLR by competitors Panasonic and Pentax. The resolution of the LZ30 (16MP) and the K20D (15MP) is relatively close but the LZ30 (1/2.3") and K20D (APS-C) possess different sensor size.

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The LZ30 was launched 4 years later than the K20D and that is a fairly big difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of the cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic LZ30 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Pentax K20D being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before diving through a more detailed comparison, below is a simple introduction of how the LZ30 grades against the K20D with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic LZ30 over the Pentax K20D

 LZ30 K20D 
ReleasedJanuary 2013June 2008Fresher by 56 months
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kSharper screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax K20D over the Panasonic LZ30

 K20D LZ30 
Manual focus Dial exact focusing

Common features in the Panasonic LZ30 and Pentax K20D

 LZ30 K20D 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch screen Neither has Touch screen

Panasonic LZ30 vs Pentax K20D Physical Comparison

For anybody who is looking to carry your camera frequently, you will need to consider its weight and size. The Panasonic LZ30 has physical 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) and the Pentax K20D has specifications of 142mm x 101mm x 70mm (5.6" x 4.0" x 2.8") having a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).

Compare the Panasonic LZ30 and Pentax K20D in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are working with at that time. Underneath is the front view dimension comparison of the LZ30 and the K20D.

Panasonic LZ30 vs Pentax K20D size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the LZ30 and K20D is 66 and 59 respectively.

Panasonic LZ30 vs Pentax K20D top view buttons comparison

Panasonic LZ30 vs Pentax K20D Sensor Comparison

Often, its hard to picture the gap in sensor sizing only by researching technical specs. The graphic below will offer you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the LZ30 and K20D.

As you have seen, both of the cameras enjoy different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The LZ30 because of its smaller sensor is going to make achieving shallow DOF tougher and the Panasonic LZ30 will provide you with greater detail utilizing its extra 1MP. Higher resolution will let you crop shots far more aggressively. The younger LZ30 provides an advantage with regard to sensor innovation.

Panasonic LZ30 vs Pentax K20D sensor size comparison

Panasonic LZ30 vs Pentax K20D Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic LZ30 vs Pentax K20D Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic LZ30 Portrait photography information
Pentax K20D Portrait photography information
32
megapixel count good (16MP)
focusing manually not possible
cannot use external flash
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
71
has manual focus
MP count decent (15 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic LZ30 Street photography advice
Pentax K20D Street photography advice
43
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
more heavy than competition (552g)
65
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW files
environment sealing
no moving screen
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic LZ30 Sports photography advice
Pentax K20D Sports photography advice
47
great zoom range (25-875mm 35.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16MP)
comes with tracking autofocus
good battery (380 per charge)
low fps (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
68
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (15MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
environment sealing
sensor has phase detect AF
max frames per second low (3.0 frames per second)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic LZ30 Travel photography factors
Pentax K20D Travel photography factors
56
good battery (380 CIPA)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
quite wide (25mm)
long zoom (875mm)
lack of Timelapse mode
more heavy than competition (552 grams)
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
64
environment sealing
MP count decent (15MP)
flash built-in
does not contain selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic LZ30
Landscape photography with Pentax K20D
45
quite wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16MP)
good battery (380 per charge)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
lack of Timelapse mode
70
has manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (15MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW files
environment sealing
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic LZ30 Vlogging factors
Pentax K20D Vlogging factors
22
quite wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
display isn't selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of external microphone support
more heavy than competition (552 grams)
9
lack of video recording
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Panasonic LZ30 vs Pentax K20D Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic LZ30 and Pentax K20D
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ30Pentax K20D
General Information
Brand Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ30 Pentax K20D
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Advanced DSLR
Released 2013-01-07 2008-06-25
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 15 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 4672 x 3104
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Maximum enhanced ISO - 6400
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points - 11
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens focal range 25-875mm (35.0x) -
Maximum aperture f/3.0-5.9 -
Macro focus range 1cm -
Available lenses - 151
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3" 2.7"
Screen resolution 460 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen technology TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 95%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.64x
Features
Min shutter speed 15 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 1.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 4.40 m 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, Red-Eye, Slow, Red-Eye Slow, Rear curtain, wireless
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Max flash sync - 1/180 secs
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) -
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 None
Video data format 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 None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 552 gr (1.22 pounds) 800 gr (1.76 pounds)
Dimensions 124 x 84 x 92mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 3.6") 142 x 101 x 70mm (5.6" x 4.0" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 65
DXO Color Depth score not tested 22.9
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 11.1
DXO Low light score not tested 639
Other
Battery life 380 images -
Battery form AA -
Battery model 4 x AA D-LI50
Self timer Yes (2 0r 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/MMC/SDHC card
Storage slots Single Single
Pricing at release $230 $700