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Panasonic ZS1 vs Pentax K-30

Portability
91
Imaging
33
Features
25
Overall
29
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1 front
 
Pentax K-30 front
Portability
63
Imaging
57
Features
66
Overall
60

Panasonic ZS1 vs Pentax K-30 Key Specs

Panasonic ZS1
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.5" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 25-300mm (F3.3-4.9) lens
  • 229g - 103 x 60 x 33mm
  • Introduced May 2009
  • Other Name is Lumix DMC-TZ6
Pentax K-30
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Raise to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 650g - 130 x 97 x 71mm
  • Revealed October 2012
  • Replacement is Pentax K-50
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Panasonic ZS1 vs Pentax K-30 Overview

Here, we are reviewing the Panasonic ZS1 versus Pentax K-30, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Advanced DSLR by companies Panasonic and Pentax. There is a sizeable difference among the image resolutions of the ZS1 (10MP) and K-30 (16MP) and the ZS1 (1/2.5") and K-30 (APS-C) posses totally different sensor size.

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The ZS1 was introduced 4 years before the K-30 which is a fairly large gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of these cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic ZS1 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-30 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before we go into a complete comparison, here is a quick introduction of how the ZS1 scores against the K-30 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS1 over the Pentax K-30

 ZS1 K-30 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-30 over the Panasonic ZS1

 K-30 ZS1 
RevealedOctober 2012May 2009More modern by 42 months
Focus manually More precise focus
Display size3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution921k230kCrisper display (+691k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic ZS1 and Pentax K-30

 ZS1 K-30 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither offers Touch friendly display

Panasonic ZS1 vs Pentax K-30 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is looking to carry around your camera, you're going to have to factor its weight and size. The Panasonic ZS1 offers external dimensions of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 229 grams (0.50 lbs) while the Pentax K-30 has specifications of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") accompanied by a weight of 650 grams (1.43 lbs).

Take a look at the Panasonic ZS1 versus Pentax K-30 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you are utilising during that time. The following is a front view overall size comparison of the ZS1 versus the K-30.

Panasonic ZS1 vs Pentax K-30 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the ZS1 and K-30 is 91 and 63 respectively.

Panasonic ZS1 vs Pentax K-30 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS1 vs Pentax K-30 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is hard to visualise the gap in sensor sizes only by looking through specs. The image here will help provide you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the ZS1 and K-30.

As you can plainly see, both of these cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The ZS1 with its smaller sensor will make shooting shallow depth of field more challenging and the Pentax K-30 will provide you with greater detail using its extra 6MP. Greater resolution will also make it easier to crop images way more aggressively. The more aged ZS1 will be behind in sensor tech.

Panasonic ZS1 vs Pentax K-30 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS1 vs Pentax K-30 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS1 vs Pentax K-30 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic ZS1
Portrait photography with Pentax K-30
25
provides face detect focus
lack of manual focus
manual mode not possible
can't use external flash
megapixel count low (10MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.5")
doesn't have RAW files
74
manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
has face detect focusing
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS1 as a Street photography camera
Pentax K-30 as a Street photography camera
60
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (229g)
screen is fixed
sensor size is tiny (1/2.5")
doesn't have RAW files
68
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
environment proof
fixed screen
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS1 Sports photography details
Pentax K-30 Sports photography details
24
has image stabilization (Optical)
slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
megapixel count low (10MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.5")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
67
great max shutter speed (1/6,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
has tracking focus
environment proof
sensor has phase detect AF
max frames per second low (6.0 fps)
bad battery (410 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS1 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax K-30 as a Travel photography camera
63
lighter than average in class (229g)
built-in flash
fairly wide (25mm)
great zoom (300mm)
no Timelapse mode
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
60
environment proof
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
built-in flash
bad battery (410 shots)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS1 Landscape photography advice
Pentax K-30 Landscape photography advice
31
fairly wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
small screen (2.7")
manual mode not possible
megapixel count low (10MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.5")
doesn't have RAW files
no Timelapse mode
73
manual focus
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
environment proof
bad battery (410 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS1 Vlogging details
Pentax K-30 Vlogging details
31
fairly wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect focus
lighter than average in class (229 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
display isn't selfie friendly
video quality not great (640 x 480 resolution)
no microphone port
30
image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detect focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
no mic socket
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Panasonic ZS1 vs Pentax K-30 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS1 and Pentax K-30
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1Pentax K-30
General Information
Company Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1 Pentax K-30
Alternative name Lumix DMC-TZ6 -
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Advanced DSLR
Introduced 2009-05-14 2012-10-29
Physical type Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor - Prime M
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.5" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 5.744 x 4.308mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 24.7mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 10MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2 3:2
Maximum resolution 3648 x 2736 4928 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 6400 12800
Maximum boosted ISO - 25600
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 11 11
Cross type focus points - 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens zoom range 25-300mm (12.0x) -
Largest aperture f/3.3-4.9 -
Macro focusing range 3cm -
Available lenses - 151
Focal length multiplier 6.3 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.7 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 230 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology - 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
Slowest shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/6000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 3.0 frames/s 6.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 5.30 m (Auto ISO) 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye,Slow Sync, Slow Sync+ Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize - 1/180 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 848 x 480 (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 640x480 1920x1080
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
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 sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 229 grams (0.50 lbs) 650 grams (1.43 lbs)
Physical dimensions 103 x 60 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") 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 - 410 photos
Battery type - Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI109,4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Single Single
Launch price $0 $525