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Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax 645D

Portability
92
Imaging
42
Features
48
Overall
44
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30 front
 
Pentax 645D front
Portability
50
Imaging
76
Features
52
Overall
66

Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax 645D Key Specs

Panasonic ZS30
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-480mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 198g - 105 x 59 x 28mm
  • Announced January 2013
  • Other Name is Lumix DMC-TZ40
  • Replaced the Panasonic ZS25
  • Newer Model is Panasonic ZS35
Pentax 645D
(Full Review)
  • 40MP - Medium format Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 1600
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • No Video
  • Pentax 645AF2 Mount
  • 1480g - 156 x 117 x 119mm
  • Introduced March 2010
  • Newer Model is Pentax 645Z
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Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax 645D Overview

Here, we will be evaluating the Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax 645D, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Pro DSLR by brands Panasonic and Pentax. There exists a significant gap among the resolutions of the ZS30 (18MP) and 645D (40MP) and the ZS30 (1/2.3") and 645D (Medium format) have different sensor size.

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The ZS30 was released 2 years after the 645D which is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic ZS30 being a Compact camera and the Pentax 645D being a Large SLR camera.

Before delving right into a in-depth comparison, here is a brief summary of how the ZS30 grades against the 645D in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS30 over the Pentax 645D

 ZS30 645D 
IntroducedJanuary 2013March 2010Newer by 35 months
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax 645D over the Panasonic ZS30

 645D ZS30 
Manually focus Very accurate focusing
Screen resolution921k920kClearer screen (+1k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic ZS30 and Pentax 645D

 ZS30 645D 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen size
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen

Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax 645D Physical Comparison

If you are intending to travel with your camera frequently, you should factor its weight and measurements. The Panasonic ZS30 comes with outer dimensions of 105mm x 59mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") with a weight of 198 grams (0.44 lbs) while the Pentax 645D has proportions of 156mm x 117mm x 119mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 4.7") along with a weight of 1480 grams (3.26 lbs).

See the Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax 645D in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you have chosen during that time. Following is a front view measurements comparison of the ZS30 compared to the 645D.

Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax 645D size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the ZS30 and 645D is 92 and 50 respectively.

Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax 645D top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax 645D Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it can be difficult to imagine the difference in sensor dimensions purely by viewing a spec sheet. The pic below may provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the ZS30 and 645D.

As you can see, both cameras come with different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The ZS30 because of its smaller sensor is going to make getting bokeh more difficult and the Pentax 645D will provide you with extra detail as a result of its extra 22 Megapixels. Higher resolution will allow you to crop shots a good deal more aggressively. The more modern ZS30 provides an edge in sensor technology.

Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax 645D sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax 645D Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax 645D Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic ZS30
Portrait photography with Pentax 645D
33
decent MP (18 megapixels)
manual focus not available
can't use external flash
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
77
you can focus manually
amazing resolution (40 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Medium format)
exports RAW files
no liveview feature
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic ZS30
Street photography with Pentax 645D
66
image stabilization (Optical)
boasts touch to focus
lighter than competitors (198g)
no moving screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
58
sensor size is great (Medium format)
exports RAW files
environment proofing
no moving screen
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS30 Sports photography info
Pentax 645D Sports photography info
46
long zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (18MP)
provides tracking focus
low max shutter speed (1/1,200 seconds)
small sensor (1/2.3")
low battery (260 per charge)
does not have phase detect autofocus
63
amazing resolution (40 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Medium format)
environment proofing
supports phase detect AF
no liveview feature
continuous shooting slow (1.0 frames/s)
no image stabilization
not so great battery power (800 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS30 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax 645D as a Travel photography camera
69
lighter than competitors (198g)
boasts touch to focus
decent MP (18MP)
built-in flash
rather wide (24mm)
great reach (480mm)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
low battery (260 per charge)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
55
environment proofing
amazing resolution (40 megapixels)
not so great battery power (800 per charge)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS30 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax 645D as a Landscape photography camera
44
rather wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (18MP)
manual focus not available
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
low battery (260 shots)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
72
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Pentax 645AF2 mount)
screen size is good (3")
amazing resolution (40MP)
sensor size is great (Medium format)
does not have anti aliasing filter
exports RAW files
environment proofing
two card slots
no liveview feature
no image stabilization
not so great battery power (800 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS30 Vlogging information
Pentax 645D Vlogging information
35
rather wide (24mm)
screen is touchscreen
image stabilization (Optical)
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competitors (198 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
doesn't have microphone socket
9
can't shoot video
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Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax 645D Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS30 and Pentax 645D
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30Pentax 645D
General Information
Company Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30 Pentax 645D
Alternate name Lumix DMC-TZ40 -
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Pro DSLR
Announced 2013-01-07 2010-03-10
Physical type Compact Large SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Prime II
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" Medium format
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 44 x 33mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 1,452.0mm²
Sensor resolution 18 megapixel 40 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3
Maximum resolution 4896 x 3672 7264 x 5440
Maximum native ISO 6400 1600
Lowest native ISO 100 200
RAW images
Lowest boosted ISO - 100
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 23 11
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Pentax 645AF2
Lens focal range 24-480mm (20.0x) -
Highest aperture f/3.3-6.4 -
Macro focus distance 3cm -
Total lenses - 6
Focal length multiplier 5.8 0.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3" 3"
Display resolution 920 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display technology - TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle and with AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 98%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.85x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/1200 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 10.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 6.40 m no built-in flash
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize - 1/125 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (220 fps) -
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video file format MPEG-4, AVCHD -
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 BuiltIn None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 198 grams (0.44 pounds) 1480 grams (3.26 pounds)
Physical dimensions 105 x 59 x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") 156 x 117 x 119mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 4.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 82
DXO Color Depth score not tested 24.6
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 12.6
DXO Low light score not tested 1262
Other
Battery life 260 images 800 images
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC
Card slots 1 Dual
Price at launch $250 $4,000