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Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax K-1

Portability
92
Imaging
42
Features
48
Overall
44
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30 front
 
Pentax K-1 front
Portability
55
Imaging
76
Features
82
Overall
78

Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax K-1 Key Specs

Panasonic ZS30
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-480mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 198g - 105 x 59 x 28mm
  • Introduced January 2013
  • Other Name is Lumix DMC-TZ40
  • Succeeded the Panasonic ZS25
  • Newer Model is Panasonic ZS35
Pentax K-1
(Full Review)
  • 36MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 204800
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 1010g - 137 x 110 x 86mm
  • Launched February 2016
  • Successor is Pentax K-1 II
Photography Glossary

Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax K-1 Overview

Here, we will be looking at the Panasonic ZS30 and Pentax K-1, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Advanced DSLR by brands Panasonic and Pentax. There exists a huge gap between the image resolutions of the ZS30 (18MP) and K-1 (36MP) and the ZS30 (1/2.3") and K-1 (Full frame) boast different sensor dimensions.

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The ZS30 was revealed 4 years before the K-1 which is quite a significant gap as far as technology is concerned. Both cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic ZS30 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-1 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before we go right into a step-by-step comparison, here is a quick overview of how the ZS30 scores vs the K-1 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS30 over the Pentax K-1

 ZS30 K-1 
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K-1 over the Panasonic ZS30

 K-1 ZS30 
LaunchedFebruary 2016January 2013Newer by 37 months
Focus manually Very exact focus
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen size3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution1037k920kClearer screen (+117k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic ZS30 and Pentax K-1

 ZS30 K-1 
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen

Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax K-1 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is planning to travel with your camera often, you'll need to consider its weight and proportions. The Panasonic ZS30 provides external dimensions of 105mm x 59mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") with a weight of 198 grams (0.44 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-1 has measurements of 137mm x 110mm x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4") and a weight of 1010 grams (2.23 lbs).

Check the Panasonic ZS30 and Pentax K-1 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you use during that time. Below is a front view dimensions comparison of the ZS30 versus the K-1.

Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax K-1 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the ZS30 and K-1 is 92 and 55 respectively.

Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax K-1 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax K-1 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is tough to imagine the contrast between sensor dimensions purely by looking at technical specs. The picture underneath might provide you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the ZS30 and K-1.

As you can tell, both cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The ZS30 with its tinier sensor is going to make shooting bokeh trickier and the Pentax K-1 will resolve greater detail because of its extra 18 Megapixels. Higher resolution will allow you to crop shots way more aggressively. The more aged ZS30 is going to be behind in sensor innovation.

Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax K-1 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax K-1 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax K-1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic ZS30
Portrait photography with Pentax K-1
33
good MP (18MP)
no manual focus
no external flash support
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
85
manual focus
amazing sensor resolution (36MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
supports face detect autofocus
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS30 Street photography details
Pentax K-1 Street photography details
66
built in image stabilization (Optical)
features focus via touch
lighter than competition in class (198g)
screen does not articulate
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
70
fully articulated screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
supports RAW files
weather sealing
above average ISO range (204,800)
heavier than average (1,010 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS30 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax K-1 as a Sports photography camera
46
incredible zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (18 megapixels)
comes with tracking autofocus
max shutter speed is low (1/1,200 seconds)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
low battery pack (260 per charge)
lacks phase detect AF
76
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
amazing sensor resolution (36MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
supports tracking focus
weather sealing
supports phase detect autofocus
max frames per second very slow (4.4 fps)
bad battery pack (760 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS30 Travel photography advice
Pentax K-1 Travel photography advice
69
lighter than competition in class (198g)
features focus via touch
good MP (18MP)
built-in flash
decently wide (24mm)
great zoom (480mm)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
low battery pack (260 CIPA)
does not have a selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
53
weather sealing
amazing sensor resolution (36 megapixels)
bad battery pack (760 CIPA)
heavier than average (1,010 grams)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS30 Landscape photography features
Pentax K-1 Landscape photography features
44
decently wide (24mm)
good sized screen (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (18 megapixels)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
low battery pack (260 per charge)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
81
manual focus
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is decent (3.2 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
amazing sensor resolution (36MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
does not have low pass filter
above average ISO range (204,800)
supports RAW files
weather sealing
two card slots
bad battery pack (760 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS30 Vlogging factors
Pentax K-1 Vlogging factors
35
decently wide (24mm)
touch screen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition in class (198 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
does not have a selfie friendly display
doesn't have external microphone socket
31
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
supports face detect autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
comes with mic socket
does not have a selfie friendly screen
heavier than average (1,010 grams)
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Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax K-1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS30 and Pentax K-1
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30Pentax K-1
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30 Pentax K-1
Otherwise known as Lumix DMC-TZ40 -
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Advanced DSLR
Introduced 2013-01-07 2016-02-17
Physical type Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Full frame
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 18MP 36MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Peak resolution 4896 x 3672 7360 x 4912
Highest native ISO 6400 204800
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 23 33
Cross focus points - 25
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens focal range 24-480mm (20.0x) -
Maximal aperture f/3.3-6.4 -
Macro focus distance 3cm -
Total lenses - 151
Crop factor 5.8 1
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Screen sizing 3" 3.2"
Resolution of screen 920 thousand dots 1,037 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.7x
Features
Min shutter speed 15s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/1200s 1/8000s
Continuous shutter rate 10.0 frames per sec 4.4 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 6.40 m no built-in flash
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto Flash Discharge, Auto Flash + Red-eye Reduction, Flash On, Flash On + Red-eye Reduction, Slow-speed Sync, Slow-speed Sync + Red-eye, P-TTL, Trailing Curtain Sync, Contrast-control-sync, High-speed sync, Wireless sync
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize - 1/200s
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 (220 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, AVCHD MPEG-4, H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn Built-in
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 198 grams (0.44 pounds) 1010 grams (2.23 pounds)
Physical dimensions 105 x 59 x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") 137 x 110 x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 96
DXO Color Depth score not tested 25.4
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 14.6
DXO Low light score not tested 3280
Other
Battery life 260 photographs 760 photographs
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I)
Card slots Single 2
Price at release $250 $1,499