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Panasonic TS3 vs Pentax K-30

Portability
92
Imaging
35
Features
31
Overall
33
Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS3 front
 
Pentax K-30 front
Portability
63
Imaging
57
Features
66
Overall
60

Panasonic TS3 vs Pentax K-30 Key Specs

Panasonic TS3
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-128mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 197g - 103 x 64 x 27mm
  • Introduced August 2011
  • Also referred to as Lumix DMC-FT3
  • Previous Model is Panasonic TS2
  • Renewed by Panasonic TS4
Pentax K-30
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • 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
  • Introduced October 2012
  • Replacement is Pentax K-50
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Panasonic TS3 vs Pentax K-30 Overview

Its time to look more closely at the Panasonic TS3 and Pentax K-30, former being a Waterproof while the latter is a Advanced DSLR by manufacturers Panasonic and Pentax. There is a considerable difference among the sensor resolutions of the TS3 (12MP) and K-30 (16MP) and the TS3 (1/2.3") and K-30 (APS-C) offer totally different sensor sizing.

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The TS3 was released 14 months prior to the K-30 which makes them a generation apart from each other. Both the cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic TS3 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-30 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before going straight to a in depth comparison, here is a brief view of how the TS3 grades vs the K-30 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic TS3 over the Pentax K-30

 TS3 K-30 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-30 over the Panasonic TS3

 K-30 TS3 
IntroducedOctober 2012August 2011More recent by 14 months
Manual focus Dial precise focusing
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution921k230kClearer screen (+691k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic TS3 and Pentax K-30

 TS3 K-30 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch friendly screen No Touch friendly screen

Panasonic TS3 vs Pentax K-30 Physical Comparison

If you are looking to lug around your camera often, you need to factor in its weight and volume. The Panasonic TS3 features outer dimensions of 103mm x 64mm x 27mm (4.1" x 2.5" x 1.1") with a weight of 197 grams (0.43 lbs) and 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 TS3 and Pentax K-30 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you have at the time. Here is a front view sizing comparison of the TS3 vs the K-30.

Panasonic TS3 vs Pentax K-30 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the TS3 and K-30 is 92 and 63 respectively.

Panasonic TS3 vs Pentax K-30 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic TS3 vs Pentax K-30 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it's tough to visualise the difference in sensor measurements only by looking through a spec sheet. The photograph here should provide you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the TS3 and K-30.

Clearly, both of those cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The TS3 due to its smaller sensor will make shooting bokeh more difficult and the Pentax K-30 will provide you with more detail as a result of its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will enable you to crop shots way more aggressively. The older TS3 will be behind in sensor tech.

Panasonic TS3 vs Pentax K-30 sensor size comparison

Panasonic TS3 vs Pentax K-30 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic TS3 vs Pentax K-30 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic TS3 Portrait photography advice
Pentax K-30 Portrait photography advice
21
no manual focus
no manual mode
cannot use external flash
megapixel count low (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
74
you can focus manually
megapixel count decent (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports face detect focusing
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic TS3 Street photography factors
Pentax K-30 Street photography factors
61
image stabilization (Optical)
weather proofing
no articulating screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
68
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
environment sealing
screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic TS3 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax K-30 as a Sports photography camera
37
image stabilization (Optical)
provides tracking focus
weather proofing
better than average battery (310 CIPA)
maximum shutter speed is a little low (1/1,300 seconds)
slow frames per second (4.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
megapixel count low (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
67
maximum shutter speed is high (1/6,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports tracking focus
environment sealing
comes with phase detect AF
painfully slow continuous shooting (6.0 fps)
terrible battery life (410 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic TS3 Travel photography features
Pentax K-30 Travel photography features
63
better than average battery (310 per charge)
weather proofing
has built in flash
relatively wide (28mm)
lack of Time Lapse recording
megapixel count low (12MP)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
60
environment sealing
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
terrible battery life (410 shots)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic TS3 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax K-30 as a Landscape photography camera
38
relatively wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
weather proofing
better than average battery (310 CIPA)
no manual focus
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
no manual mode
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
lack of Time Lapse recording
73
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
environment sealing
terrible battery life (410 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic TS3 Vlogging advice
Pentax K-30 Vlogging advice
31
relatively wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
lack of mic port
30
image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detect focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
lack of mic port
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Panasonic TS3 vs Pentax K-30 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic TS3 and Pentax K-30
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS3Pentax K-30
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS3 Pentax K-30
Also Known as Lumix DMC-FT3 -
Type Waterproof Advanced DSLR
Introduced 2011-08-16 2012-10-29
Body design Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Venus Engine FHD 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 12 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 4000 x 3000 4928 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 6400 12800
Maximum enhanced ISO - 25600
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 11 11
Cross focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens focal range 28-128mm (4.6x) -
Maximum aperture f/3.3-5.9 -
Macro focus distance 5cm -
Available lenses - 151
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.7 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 230 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen technology TFT 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 60 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/1300 secs 1/6000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 4.0fps 6.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 5.60 m 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-eye,Slow Sync, Slow Sync+ Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync - 1/180 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (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)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, AVCHD MPEG-4, H.264
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 BuiltIn Optional
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 197 grams (0.43 lbs) 650 grams (1.43 lbs)
Physical dimensions 103 x 64 x 27mm (4.1" x 2.5" x 1.1") 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 310 shots 410 shots
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI109,4 x AA
Self timer Yes Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots Single Single
Pricing at release $380 $525