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Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax K-30

Portability
94
Imaging
40
Features
31
Overall
36
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 front
 
Pentax K-30 front
Portability
63
Imaging
58
Features
66
Overall
61

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax K-30 Key Specs

Panasonic SZ8
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Expand to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-288mm (F3.1-6.3) lens
  • 159g - 100 x 60 x 27mm
  • Introduced January 2014
Pentax K-30
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Bump to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 650g - 130 x 97 x 71mm
  • Released October 2012
  • Later Model is Pentax K-50
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Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax K-30 Overview

Following is a comprehensive analysis of the Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax K-30, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Advanced DSLR by competitors Panasonic and Pentax. The image resolution of the SZ8 (16MP) and the K-30 (16MP) is relatively well matched but the SZ8 (1/2.3") and K-30 (APS-C) have different sensor sizes.

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The SZ8 was launched 15 months after the K-30 which makes them a generation away from one another. Both of the cameras have different body design with the Panasonic SZ8 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-30 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before delving right into a full comparison, here is a quick introduction of how the SZ8 scores versus the K-30 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ8 over the Pentax K-30

 SZ8 K-30 
ReleasedJanuary 2014October 2012More modern by 15 months

Reasons to pick Pentax K-30 over the Panasonic SZ8

 K-30 SZ8 
Manually focus Very precise focusing
Screen resolution921k460kSharper screen (+461k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic SZ8 and Pentax K-30

 SZ8 K-30 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen dimensions
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Missing Touch friendly screen

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax K-30 Physical Comparison

If you are planning to carry around your camera often, you'll need to think about its weight and volume. The Panasonic SZ8 features exterior dimensions of 100mm x 60mm x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") and a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-30 has sizing of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") and a weight of 650 grams (1.43 lbs).

Take a look at the Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax K-30 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you are working with during that time. Here is a front view sizing comparison of the SZ8 versus the K-30.

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax K-30 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SZ8 and K-30 is 94 and 63 respectively.

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax K-30 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax K-30 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it can be difficult to imagine the contrast between sensor sizes only by reading through a spec sheet. The pic underneath will give you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the SZ8 and K-30.

As you can see, both of these cameras provide the same megapixel count albeit different sensor sizes. The SZ8 includes the tinier sensor which should make achieving shallower depth of field trickier. The fresher SZ8 provides a benefit when it comes to sensor technology.

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax K-30 sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax K-30 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax K-30 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Portrait photography factors
Pentax K-30 Portrait photography factors
35
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
has face detection focusing
no manual focus
manual exposure not possible
can't use external flash
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
74
you can focus manually
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
has face detection autofocus
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Street photography info
Pentax K-30 Street photography info
63
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (159g)
no articulating screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
68
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
weather proofing
no articulating screen
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Sports photography details
Pentax K-30 Sports photography details
34
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
terrible battery power (200 per charge)
has no phase detect AF
67
great max shutter speed (1/6,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
has tracking autofocus
weather proofing
comes with phase detect autofocus
slow fps (6.0 frames/s)
terrible battery power (410 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Travel photography advice
Pentax K-30 Travel photography advice
67
lighter than competitors in class (159 grams)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (24mm)
long zoom (288mm)
missing Time Lapse recording
terrible battery power (200 CIPA)
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
60
weather proofing
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
built-in flash
terrible battery power (410 shots)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic SZ8
Landscape photography with Pentax K-30
42
reasonably wide (24mm)
screen size is decent (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
no manual focus
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
manual exposure not possible
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
terrible battery power (200 per charge)
missing Time Lapse recording
73
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
weather proofing
terrible battery power (410 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Vlogging advice
Pentax K-30 Vlogging advice
32
reasonably wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
has face detection focusing
lighter than competitors in class (159g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing external mic port
30
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detection autofocus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
doesn't have external mic socket
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Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax K-30 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ8 and Pentax K-30
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8Pentax K-30
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 Pentax K-30
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Advanced DSLR
Introduced 2014-01-06 2012-10-29
Physical type Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by Venus Engine 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 surface area 27.7mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 4928 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 1600 12800
Maximum boosted ISO 6400 25600
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 9 11
Cross type focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens zoom range 24-288mm (12.0x) -
Maximum aperture f/3.1-6.3 -
Number of lenses - 151
Crop factor 5.9 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 460k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology TFT LCD TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.61x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 8s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/6000s
Continuous shooting rate 1.0 frames per second 6.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 5.20 m 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options 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
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize - 1/180s
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported 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)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
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
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 159g (0.35 pounds) 650g (1.43 pounds)
Physical dimensions 100 x 60 x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 79
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.7
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 13.0
DXO Low light rating not tested 1129
Other
Battery life 200 photos 410 photos
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI109,4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots One One
Cost at launch $275 $525