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Panasonic TS30 vs Pentax ist DS2

Portability
95
Imaging
40
Features
31
Overall
36
Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS30 front
 
Pentax ist DS2 front
Portability
68
Imaging
44
Features
33
Overall
39

Panasonic TS30 vs Pentax ist DS2 Key Specs

Panasonic TS30
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Boost to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-100mm (F3.9-5.7) lens
  • 142g - 104 x 58 x 20mm
  • Introduced January 2015
  • Additionally Known as Lumix DMC-FT30
Pentax ist DS2
(Full Review)
  • 6MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 3200
  • Pentax KAF Mount
  • 605g - 125 x 93 x 66mm
  • Introduced August 2005
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Panasonic TS30 vs Pentax ist DS2 Overview

In this article, we are evaluating the Panasonic TS30 vs Pentax ist DS2, one being a Waterproof and the other is a Advanced DSLR by brands Panasonic and Pentax. There is a sizeable difference among the sensor resolutions of the TS30 (16MP) and ist DS2 (6MP) and the TS30 (1/2.3") and ist DS2 (APS-C) possess different sensor sizing.

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The TS30 was launched 9 years later than the ist DS2 and that is a fairly large gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of these cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic TS30 being a Compact camera and the Pentax ist DS2 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before going in to a thorough comparison, below is a quick introduction of how the TS30 scores against the ist DS2 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic TS30 over the Pentax ist DS2

 TS30 ist DS2 
IntroducedJanuary 2015August 2005Fresher by 115 months
Display sizing2.7"2.5"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution230k210kClearer display (+20k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax ist DS2 over the Panasonic TS30

 ist DS2 TS30 
Manual focus Dial accurate focusing

Common features in the Panasonic TS30 and Pentax ist DS2

 TS30 ist DS2 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch display Neither includes Touch display

Panasonic TS30 vs Pentax ist DS2 Physical Comparison

In case you're aiming to carry your camera often, you are going to need to take into account its weight and proportions. The Panasonic TS30 features external measurements of 104mm x 58mm x 20mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 0.8") and a weight of 142 grams (0.31 lbs) while the Pentax ist DS2 has measurements of 125mm x 93mm x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6") with a weight of 605 grams (1.33 lbs).

Take a look at the Panasonic TS30 vs Pentax ist DS2 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you have chosen at the time. Below is the front view measurement comparison of the TS30 and the ist DS2.

Panasonic TS30 vs Pentax ist DS2 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the TS30 and ist DS2 is 95 and 68 respectively.

Panasonic TS30 vs Pentax ist DS2 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic TS30 vs Pentax ist DS2 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is very hard to imagine the contrast in sensor sizing just by seeing specifications. The graphic below will give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the TS30 and ist DS2.

To sum up, both of those cameras enjoy different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The TS30 due to its smaller sensor is going to make shooting shallow depth of field trickier and the Panasonic TS30 will show extra detail utilizing its extra 10 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop photos far more aggressively. The fresher TS30 provides an advantage in sensor tech.

Panasonic TS30 vs Pentax ist DS2 sensor size comparison

Panasonic TS30 vs Pentax ist DS2 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic TS30 vs Pentax ist DS2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic TS30 Portrait photography advice
Pentax ist DS2 Portrait photography advice
35
MP count good (16MP)
includes face detection focus
no manual focus
no manual control
no external flash support
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
50
manual focus
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
does not have liveview
low megapixels (6MP)
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Street Comparison

Panasonic TS30 Street photography highlights
Pentax ist DS2 Street photography highlights
67
built in image stabilization (Optical)
environment proof
lighter than competition (142g)
no moving screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
60
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
lighter than others in class (605 grams)
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic TS30 Sports photography features
Pentax ist DS2 Sports photography features
42
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
includes tracking autofocus
environment proof
low max shutter speed (1/1,300s)
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.3 frames per second)
no shutter priority
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
38
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect auto focus
does not have liveview
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
lack of image stabilization
low megapixels (6 megapixels)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic TS30 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax ist DS2 as a Travel photography camera
74
lighter than competition (142 grams)
environment proof
MP count good (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
quite wide (25mm)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f3.9)
52
lighter than others in class (605g)
flash built-in
doesn't have Timelapse function
low megapixels (6 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic TS30 Landscape photography info
Pentax ist DS2 Landscape photography info
43
quite wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
environment proof
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.9)
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
no manual control
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
46
manual focus
change lenses (Pentax KAF mount)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
screen is somewhat small (2.5 inch)
does not have liveview
lack of image stabilization
low megapixels (6 megapixels)
doesn't have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic TS30
Vlogging with Pentax ist DS2
33
quite wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detection focus
lighter than competition (142g)
slow max aperture (f3.9)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing external microphone support
22
lighter than others in class (605g)
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
video quality not great ( resolution)
doesn't have external microphone support
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Panasonic TS30 vs Pentax ist DS2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic TS30 and Pentax ist DS2
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS30Pentax ist DS2
General Information
Make Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS30 Pentax ist DS2
Also called as Lumix DMC-FT30 -
Type Waterproof Advanced DSLR
Introduced 2015-01-06 2005-08-22
Physical type Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 6 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 3008 x 2008
Max native ISO 1600 3200
Max enhanced ISO 6400 -
Lowest native ISO 100 200
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 23 11
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Pentax KAF
Lens zoom range 25-100mm (4.0x) -
Highest aperture f/3.9-5.7 -
Macro focusing distance 5cm -
Number of lenses - 151
Crop factor 5.9 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.7" 2.5"
Resolution of screen 230k dots 210k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical
Viewfinder coverage - 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.64x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 8 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/1300 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 1.3fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 4.40 m -
Flash modes Auto, auto w/redeye reduction, on, slow sync w/redeye reduction, off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye reduction
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) -
Max video resolution 1280x720 -
Video format MPEG-4 -
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None No
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 1.0 (1.5 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 142 gr (0.31 lbs) 605 gr (1.33 lbs)
Dimensions 104 x 58 x 20mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 0.8") 125 x 93 x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 250 photos -
Form of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID - 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/MMC card
Card slots 1 1
Price at release $180 -