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Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax K-30

Portability
95
Imaging
38
Features
34
Overall
36
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5 front
 
Pentax K-30 front
Portability
63
Imaging
58
Features
66
Overall
61

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax K-30 Key Specs

Panasonic SZ5
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Push to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 136g - 104 x 58 x 21mm
  • Launched July 2012
Pentax K-30
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Boost 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
  • Successor is Pentax K-50
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Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax K-30 Overview

Here, we are looking at the Panasonic SZ5 versus Pentax K-30, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Advanced DSLR by manufacturers Panasonic and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the SZ5 (14MP) and the K-30 (16MP) is fairly well matched but the SZ5 (1/2.3") and K-30 (APS-C) boast different sensor dimensions.

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The SZ5 was released 3 months earlier than the K-30 so they are both of a similar age. Both cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic SZ5 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-30 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before delving right into a in depth comparison, here is a short summation of how the SZ5 matches up against the K-30 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ5 over the Pentax K-30

 SZ5 K-30 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-30 over the Panasonic SZ5

 K-30 SZ5 
Manually focus More accurate focusing
Display resolution921k230kClearer display (+691k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic SZ5 and Pentax K-30

 SZ5 K-30 
LaunchedJuly 2012October 2012Similar age
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display size3"3"Same display sizing
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither has Touch friendly display

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax K-30 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is aiming to carry your camera frequently, you will need to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic SZ5 has exterior dimensions of 104mm x 58mm x 21mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 0.8") with a weight of 136 grams (0.30 lbs) while the Pentax K-30 has dimensions of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") accompanied by a weight of 650 grams (1.43 lbs).

Look at the Panasonic SZ5 versus Pentax K-30 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you have at that time. The following is a front view size comparison of the SZ5 and the K-30.

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax K-30 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the SZ5 and K-30 is 95 and 63 respectively.

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax K-30 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax K-30 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it can be difficult to visualize the gap between sensor sizing purely by reading through specs. The visual below should give you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the SZ5 and K-30.

As you can plainly see, both of those cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The SZ5 due to its tinier sensor is going to make getting shallower DOF tougher and the Pentax K-30 will give extra detail as a result of its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will allow you to crop photos way more aggressively.

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax K-30 sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax K-30 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax K-30 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic SZ5 Portrait photography features
Pentax K-30 Portrait photography features
34
decent MP (14MP)
has face detection focusing
lack of manual focus
lack of manual exposure
cannot use external flash
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
74
manual focus
resolution is good (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
has face detection focus
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic SZ5 as a Street photography camera
Pentax K-30 as a Street photography camera
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (136g)
fixed screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
68
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
environment proofing
no moving screen
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic SZ5 Sports photography details
Pentax K-30 Sports photography details
40
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (14MP)
has tracking autofocus
painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
small sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
67
maximum shutter speed is high (1/6,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
has tracking autofocus
environment proofing
sensor has phase detect auto focus
very slow continuous shooting (6.0 fps)
bad battery life (410 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic SZ5 Travel photography information
Pentax K-30 Travel photography information
70
lighter than average (136g)
decent MP (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (25mm)
long reach (250mm)
does not have Timelapse recording
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
60
environment proofing
resolution is good (16MP)
flash built-in
bad battery life (410 shots)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic SZ5 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax K-30 as a Landscape photography camera
42
reasonably wide (25mm)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (14MP)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
lack of manual exposure
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
does not have Timelapse recording
73
manual focus
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
nice screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
environment proofing
bad battery life (410 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic SZ5 Vlogging information
Pentax K-30 Vlogging information
32
reasonably wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
has face detection focusing
lighter than average (136g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen is not selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have external microphone socket
30
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detection focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
display isn't selfie friendly
doesn't have external mic support
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Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax K-30 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ5 and Pentax K-30
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5Pentax K-30
General Information
Brand Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5 Pentax K-30
Category Small Sensor Compact Advanced DSLR
Launched 2012-07-18 2012-10-29
Physical type Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by - 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 14 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 4320 x 3240 4928 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 1600 12800
Maximum enhanced ISO 6400 25600
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 23 11
Cross focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens focal range 25-250mm (10.0x) -
Max aperture f/3.1-5.9 -
Macro focus range 5cm -
Number of lenses - 151
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3" 3"
Resolution of display 230k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display technology TFT Screen 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 8 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/6000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 2.0 frames per sec 6.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 5.60 m 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye,Slow Sync, Slow Sync+ Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize - 1/180 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720p ( 30,25 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30,25,24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60,50,30,25,24 fps), 640 x 424 (30,25,24 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 136 gr (0.30 pounds) 650 gr (1.43 pounds)
Physical dimensions 104 x 58 x 21mm (4.1" 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 photos 410 photos
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI109,4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Single Single
Price at release $195 $525