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Panasonic LZ40 vs Pentax K-30

Portability
67
Imaging
45
Features
35
Overall
41
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ40 front
 
Pentax K-30 front
Portability
63
Imaging
57
Features
66
Overall
60

Panasonic LZ40 vs Pentax K-30 Key Specs

Panasonic LZ40
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Bump to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 22-924mm (F3.0-6.5) lens
  • 524g - 126 x 87 x 94mm
  • Introduced January 2014
  • Replaced the Panasonic LZ30
Pentax K-30
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Bump to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 650g - 130 x 97 x 71mm
  • Introduced October 2012
  • Newer Model is Pentax K-50
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Panasonic LZ40 vs Pentax K-30 Overview

Let's examine more in depth at the Panasonic LZ40 versus Pentax K-30, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Advanced DSLR by rivals Panasonic and Pentax. There exists a sizable gap among the image resolutions of the LZ40 (20MP) and K-30 (16MP) and the LZ40 (1/2.3") and K-30 (APS-C) feature different sensor sizing.

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The LZ40 was launched 15 months after the K-30 making the cameras a generation away from one another. Both of the cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic LZ40 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Pentax K-30 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before delving in to a detailed comparison, below is a brief highlight of how the LZ40 scores vs the K-30 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic LZ40 over the Pentax K-30

 LZ40 K-30 
IntroducedJanuary 2014October 2012More modern by 15 months

Reasons to pick Pentax K-30 over the Panasonic LZ40

 K-30 LZ40 
Focus manually Dial exact focusing
Display resolution921k460kClearer display (+461k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic LZ40 and Pentax K-30

 LZ40 K-30 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimension3"3"Identical display measurement
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch friendly display No Touch friendly display

Panasonic LZ40 vs Pentax K-30 Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to carry around your camera frequently, you will want to think about its weight and measurements. The Panasonic LZ40 offers exterior dimensions of 126mm x 87mm x 94mm (5.0" x 3.4" x 3.7") having a weight of 524 grams (1.16 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-30 has proportions of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") along with a weight of 650 grams (1.43 lbs).

Check out the Panasonic LZ40 versus Pentax K-30 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are employing during that time. Following is the front view over all size comparison of the LZ40 vs the K-30.

Panasonic LZ40 vs Pentax K-30 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the LZ40 and K-30 is 67 and 63 respectively.

Panasonic LZ40 vs Pentax K-30 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic LZ40 vs Pentax K-30 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is tough to imagine the contrast in sensor sizes simply by researching specs. The pic below will help give you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the LZ40 and K-30.

As you can plainly see, each of the cameras posses different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The LZ40 featuring a smaller sensor is going to make getting shallow depth of field harder and the Panasonic LZ40 will render extra detail utilizing its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also make it easier to crop images somewhat more aggressively. The younger LZ40 provides an advantage in sensor technology.

Panasonic LZ40 vs Pentax K-30 sensor size comparison

Panasonic LZ40 vs Pentax K-30 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic LZ40 vs Pentax K-30 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic LZ40 Portrait photography details
Pentax K-30 Portrait photography details
40
sensor resolution is decent (20 megapixels)
offers face detection autofocus
no manual focus
cannot use external flash
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
74
focusing manually
MP count good (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
offers face detection autofocus
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic LZ40 Street photography advice
Pentax K-30 Street photography advice
45
image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
more heavy than competition (524 grams)
68
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
weather proof
screen is fixed
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic LZ40 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax K-30 as a Sports photography camera
47
incredible zoom range (22-924mm 42.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (20MP)
offers tracking autofocus
continuous shooting slow (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
67
maximum shutter speed is high (1/6,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
offers tracking autofocus
weather proof
sensor has phase detect autofocus
continuous shooting slow (6.0 fps)
not so great battery life (410 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic LZ40 Travel photography highlights
Pentax K-30 Travel photography highlights
55
sensor resolution is decent (20 megapixels)
built-in flash
really wide (22mm)
long reach (924mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
more heavy than competition (524 grams)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
60
weather proof
MP count good (16MP)
flash built-in
not so great battery life (410 shots)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic LZ40 Landscape photography advice
Pentax K-30 Landscape photography advice
44
really wide (22mm)
screen is a decent size (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (20 megapixels)
no manual focus
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
doesn't have Timelapse function
73
focusing manually
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
good sized screen (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
weather proof
not so great battery life (410 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic LZ40 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax K-30 as a Vlogging camera
27
really wide (22mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection autofocus
does have external microphone socket
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
more heavy than competition (524g)
30
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detection autofocus
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
display isn't selfie friendly
missing external microphone port
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Panasonic LZ40 vs Pentax K-30 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic LZ40 and Pentax K-30
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ40Pentax K-30
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ40 Pentax K-30
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Advanced DSLR
Introduced 2014-01-06 2012-10-29
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by - 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 surface area 28.1mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 20MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Peak resolution 5152 x 3864 4928 x 3264
Highest native ISO 1600 12800
Highest enhanced ISO 6400 25600
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 9 11
Cross focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens focal range 22-924mm (42.0x) -
Maximum aperture f/3.0-6.5 -
Macro focus distance 1cm -
Number of lenses - 151
Crop factor 5.8 1.5
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 460k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display tech TFT LCD TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.61x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/1500 secs 1/6000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 1.0fps 6.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 10.80 m 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye,Slow Sync, Slow Sync+ Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Fastest 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 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p), 320 x 240 (30p) 1920 x 1080 (30,25,24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60,50,30,25,24 fps), 640 x 424 (30,25,24 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 524 gr (1.16 lbs) 650 gr (1.43 lbs)
Dimensions 126 x 87 x 94mm (5.0" x 3.4" x 3.7") 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 79
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.7
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 13.0
DXO Low light score not tested 1129
Other
Battery life 320 photographs 410 photographs
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI109,4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots One One
Cost at release $219 $525