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Panasonic TS30 vs Pentax K-30

Portability
95
Imaging
40
Features
31
Overall
36
Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS30 front
 
Pentax K-30 front
Portability
63
Imaging
57
Features
66
Overall
60

Panasonic TS30 vs Pentax K-30 Key Specs

Panasonic TS30
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Raise to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-100mm (F3.9-5.7) lens
  • 142g - 104 x 58 x 20mm
  • Announced January 2015
  • Other Name is Lumix DMC-FT30
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
  • Announced October 2012
  • Newer Model is Pentax K-50
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Panasonic TS30 vs Pentax K-30 Overview

In this article, we are looking at the Panasonic TS30 and Pentax K-30, former being a Waterproof while the other is a Advanced DSLR by manufacturers Panasonic and Pentax. The image resolution of the TS30 (16MP) and the K-30 (16MP) is very close but the TS30 (1/2.3") and K-30 (APS-C) possess different sensor measurements.

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The TS30 was released 2 years later than the K-30 and that is a fairly big difference as far as camera technology is concerned. The two cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic TS30 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-30 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before we go in to a step-by-step comparison, below is a simple introduction of how the TS30 grades vs the K-30 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic TS30 over the Pentax K-30

 TS30 K-30 
AnnouncedJanuary 2015October 2012More recent by 27 months

Reasons to pick Pentax K-30 over the Panasonic TS30

 K-30 TS30 
Manual focus More accurate focusing
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution921k230kSharper display (+691k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic TS30 and Pentax K-30

 TS30 K-30 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither contains Touch friendly display

Panasonic TS30 vs Pentax K-30 Physical Comparison

If you're planning to lug around your camera regularly, you will want to consider its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic TS30 has got outer measurements of 104mm x 58mm x 20mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 0.8") and a weight of 142 grams (0.31 lbs) and the Pentax K-30 has dimensions of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") along with a weight of 650 grams (1.43 lbs).

Examine the Panasonic TS30 and Pentax K-30 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you have during that time. The following is the front view sizing comparison of the TS30 against the K-30.

Panasonic TS30 vs Pentax K-30 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the TS30 and K-30 is 95 and 63 respectively.

Panasonic TS30 vs Pentax K-30 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic TS30 vs Pentax K-30 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is tough to imagine the contrast in sensor measurements only by researching a spec sheet. The visual here will help provide you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the TS30 and K-30.

As you can see, both of the cameras enjoy the same exact megapixel count but different sensor measurements. The TS30 comes with the smaller sensor which should make getting bokeh trickier. The newer TS30 should have a benefit when it comes to sensor tech.

Panasonic TS30 vs Pentax K-30 sensor size comparison

Panasonic TS30 vs Pentax K-30 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic TS30 vs Pentax K-30 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic TS30 Portrait photography details
Pentax K-30 Portrait photography details
35
megapixel count decent (16MP)
provides face detect focusing
lack of manual focus
no manual control
external flash not possible
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
74
has manual focus
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
includes face detection focus
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic TS30 Street photography highlights
Pentax K-30 Street photography highlights
67
has image stabilization (Optical)
weather proofing
lighter than others in class (142g)
screen does not articulate
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
68
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW files
environment proof
no articulating screen
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic TS30 Sports photography features
Pentax K-30 Sports photography features
42
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
provides tracking focus
weather proofing
max shutter speed is low (1/1,300s)
max fps low (1.3 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
67
max shutter speed is good (1/6,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
includes tracking autofocus
environment proof
sensor has phase detect auto focus
max frames per second low (6.0 frames/s)
low battery pack (410 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic TS30 Travel photography info
Pentax K-30 Travel photography info
74
lighter than others in class (142 grams)
weather proofing
megapixel count decent (16MP)
flash built-in
pretty wide (25mm)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.9)
60
environment proof
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
low battery pack (410 shots)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic TS30 Landscape photography factors
Pentax K-30 Landscape photography factors
43
pretty wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
weather proofing
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.9)
screen is small (2.7")
no manual control
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
73
has manual focus
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW files
environment proof
low battery pack (410 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic TS30
Vlogging with Pentax K-30
33
pretty wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect focusing
lighter than others in class (142 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.9)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of microphone support
30
image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detection focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have external mic jack
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Panasonic TS30 vs Pentax K-30 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic TS30 and Pentax K-30
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS30Pentax K-30
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS30 Pentax K-30
Also called Lumix DMC-FT30 -
Category Waterproof Advanced DSLR
Announced 2015-01-06 2012-10-29
Body design 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 16MP 16MP
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 1600 12800
Highest enhanced ISO 6400 25600
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 23 11
Cross focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens focal range 25-100mm (4.0x) -
Maximal aperture f/3.9-5.7 -
Macro focus range 5cm -
Number of lenses - 151
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.7 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 230k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display technology - 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
Min shutter speed 8s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/1300s 1/6000s
Continuous shutter speed 1.3 frames/s 6.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 4.40 m 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, auto w/redeye reduction, on, slow sync w/redeye reduction, off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye,Slow Sync, Slow Sync+ Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync - 1/180s
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
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 data 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 142 grams (0.31 lbs) 650 grams (1.43 lbs)
Dimensions 104 x 58 x 20mm (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 photographs 410 photographs
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
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots One One
Retail cost $180 $525