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Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax K-30

Portability
95
Imaging
39
Features
34
Overall
37
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1 front
 
Pentax K-30 front
Portability
63
Imaging
57
Features
66
Overall
60

Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax K-30 Key Specs

Panasonic SZ1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 131g - 99 x 59 x 21mm
  • Launched January 2012
Pentax K-30
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Raise to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 650g - 130 x 97 x 71mm
  • Launched October 2012
  • Replacement is Pentax K-50
Photography Glossary

Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax K-30 Overview

Its time to examine more in depth at the Panasonic SZ1 versus Pentax K-30, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Advanced DSLR by manufacturers Panasonic and Pentax. The image resolution of the SZ1 (16MP) and the K-30 (16MP) is fairly comparable but the SZ1 (1/2.3") and K-30 (APS-C) use totally different sensor sizing.

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The SZ1 was revealed 9 months before the K-30 which means that they are of a similar age. Each of these cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic SZ1 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-30 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before diving straight into a in-depth comparison, below is a simple summary of how the SZ1 grades versus the K-30 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ1 over the Pentax K-30

 SZ1 K-30 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-30 over the Panasonic SZ1

 K-30 SZ1 
LaunchedOctober 2012January 2012More modern by 9 months
Manually focus Very accurate focus
Display resolution921k230kCrisper display (+691k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic SZ1 and Pentax K-30

 SZ1 K-30 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimension3"3"Identical display measurement
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch display Absent Touch display

Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax K-30 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is intending to carry around your camera often, you will have to factor in its weight and measurements. The Panasonic SZ1 enjoys outer measurements of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") having a weight of 131 grams (0.29 lbs) and the Pentax K-30 has proportions of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") with a weight of 650 grams (1.43 lbs).

Contrast the Panasonic SZ1 versus Pentax K-30 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you have chosen at that moment. Here is the front view dimension comparison of the SZ1 vs the K-30.

Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax K-30 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the SZ1 and K-30 is 95 and 63 respectively.

Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax K-30 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax K-30 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is very hard to visualise the contrast in sensor sizes only by going through specifications. The image here might give you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the SZ1 and K-30.

Plainly, the 2 cameras have got the exact same MP but not the same sensor sizes. The SZ1 offers the smaller sensor which will make getting shallow depth of field harder. The more aged SZ1 will be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax K-30 sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax K-30 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax K-30 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 Portrait photography features
Pentax K-30 Portrait photography features
34
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
provides face detect autofocus
lack of manual focus
manual mode not available
external flash not possible
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
74
focusing manually
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
includes face detection focusing
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 Street photography advice
Pentax K-30 Street photography advice
63
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (131g)
no moving screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
68
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
environment proofing
fixed screen
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 Sports photography features
Pentax K-30 Sports photography features
40
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
provides tracking focus
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
67
max shutter speed is good (1/6,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
includes tracking autofocus
environment proofing
supports phase detect AF
slow frames per second (6.0 frames per second)
low battery life (410 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 Travel photography info
Pentax K-30 Travel photography info
70
lighter than average in class (131 grams)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (25mm)
great zoom (250mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
60
environment proofing
megapixel count decent (16MP)
has built in flash
low battery life (410 per charge)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 Landscape photography details
Pentax K-30 Landscape photography details
43
reasonably wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
manual mode not available
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
doesn't have Timelapse function
73
focusing manually
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
nice screen size (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
environment proofing
low battery life (410 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax K-30 as a Vlogging camera
32
reasonably wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect autofocus
lighter than average in class (131g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have microphone port
30
image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detection focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
doesn't have external mic jack
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Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax K-30 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ1 and Pentax K-30
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1Pentax K-30
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1 Pentax K-30
Class Small Sensor Compact Advanced DSLR
Launched 2012-01-09 2012-10-29
Body design Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Chip - Prime M
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 4928 x 3264
Highest native ISO 6400 12800
Highest enhanced ISO - 25600
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 23 11
Cross focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens focal range 25-250mm (10.0x) -
Highest aperture f/3.1-5.9 -
Macro focus range 4cm -
Amount of lenses - 151
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 230 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen technology TFT Color LCD TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.61x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 8 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/6000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 1.0fps 6.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 5.60 m 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction Auto, On, Off, Red-eye,Slow Sync, Slow Sync+ Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync - 1/180 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 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 file format MPEG-4 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic input
Headphone input
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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 131 grams (0.29 pounds) 650 grams (1.43 pounds)
Dimensions 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") 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 250 images 410 images
Battery format 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 shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots One One
Launch price $179 $525