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Panasonic LZ30 vs Pentax S1

Portability
66
Imaging
40
Features
32
Overall
36
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ30 front
 
Pentax Optio S1 front
Portability
93
Imaging
37
Features
31
Overall
34

Panasonic LZ30 vs Pentax S1 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
  • Announced January 2013
  • Succeeded the Panasonic LZ20
  • Renewed by Panasonic LZ40
Pentax S1
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 157g - 114 x 58 x 28mm
  • Released March 2011
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Panasonic LZ30 vs Pentax S1 Overview

Below is a in-depth overview of the Panasonic LZ30 vs Pentax S1, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Panasonic and Pentax. The resolution of the LZ30 (16MP) and the S1 (14MP) is very close and they possess the same exact sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The LZ30 was brought out 23 months later than the S1 making the cameras a generation apart from each other. Both of the cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic LZ30 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Pentax S1 being a Compact camera.

Before getting in to a more detailed comparison, below is a brief introduction of how the LZ30 grades versus the S1 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic LZ30 over the Pentax S1

 LZ30 S1 
ReleasedJanuary 2013March 2011More recent by 23 months
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kClearer display (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax S1 over the Panasonic LZ30

 S1 LZ30 
Manually focus Very exact focusing

Common features in the Panasonic LZ30 and Pentax S1

 LZ30 S1 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch display Neither comes with Touch display

Panasonic LZ30 vs Pentax S1 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is looking to lug around your camera, you are going to need to factor in its weight and volume. The Panasonic LZ30 comes with external measurements 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 S1 has sizing of 114mm x 58mm x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") and a weight of 157 grams (0.35 lbs).

Check the Panasonic LZ30 vs Pentax S1 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you are employing during that time. Below is the front view dimensions comparison of the LZ30 against the S1.

Panasonic LZ30 vs Pentax S1 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the LZ30 and S1 is 66 and 93 respectively.

Panasonic LZ30 vs Pentax S1 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic LZ30 vs Pentax S1 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is very hard to see the contrast in sensor measurements purely by viewing specifications. The graphic below should give you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the LZ30 and S1.

To sum up, both of those cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but not the same resolution. You should expect to see the Panasonic LZ30 to provide you with more detail having its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop photos a little more aggressively. The more recent LZ30 is going to have a benefit with regard to sensor innovation.

Panasonic LZ30 vs Pentax S1 sensor size comparison

Panasonic LZ30 vs Pentax S1 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic LZ30 vs Pentax S1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic LZ30 Portrait photography highlights
Pentax S1 Portrait photography highlights
32
megapixel count good (16MP)
no manual focus
can't use external flash
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
35
has manual focus
resolution is good (14MP)
no manual exposure
external flash not possible
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Panasonic LZ30 Street photography factors
Pentax S1 Street photography factors
43
has image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
more heavy than others in class (552g)
56
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no moving screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic LZ30 Sports photography details
Pentax S1 Sports photography details
47
incredible zoom range (25-875mm 35.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
has tracking autofocus
better than average battery life (380 per charge)
continuous shooting slow (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
39
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
resolution is good (14MP)
includes tracking focus
continuous shooting slow (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic LZ30 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax S1 as a Travel photography camera
56
better than average battery life (380 per charge)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
fairly wide (25mm)
very long zoom (875mm)
lack of Timelapse mode
more heavy than others in class (552g)
display isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
64
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
quite wide (28mm)
no Time Lapse mode
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic LZ30
Landscape photography with Pentax S1
45
fairly wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
better than average battery life (380 CIPA)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
lack of Timelapse mode
42
has manual focus
quite wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
resolution is good (14MP)
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
screen is small (2.7")
no manual exposure
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
no Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic LZ30 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax S1 as a Vlogging camera
22
fairly wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
display isn't selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of external microphone port
more heavy than others in class (552 grams)
28
quite wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
display is not selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
no mic port
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Panasonic LZ30 vs Pentax S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic LZ30 and Pentax S1
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ30Pentax Optio S1
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ30 Pentax Optio S1
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2013-01-07 2011-03-02
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 4288 x 3216
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points - 9
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-875mm (35.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.0-5.9 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focusing distance 1cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inch 2.7 inch
Display resolution 460k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display technology TFT LCD TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15s 4s
Highest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/1500s
Continuous shooting speed 1.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 4.40 m 3.90 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video 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 None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 552 gr (1.22 lb) 157 gr (0.35 lb)
Dimensions 124 x 84 x 92mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 3.6") 114 x 58 x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 380 pictures 260 pictures
Battery form AA Battery Pack
Battery ID 4 x AA D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 0r 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots One One
Retail pricing $230 $174