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Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax K-3 II

Portability
92
Imaging
42
Features
48
Overall
44
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30 front
 
Pentax K-3 II front
Portability
59
Imaging
66
Features
84
Overall
73

Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax K-3 II 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
  • Revealed January 2013
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-TZ40
  • Older Model is Panasonic ZS25
  • New Model is Panasonic ZS35
Pentax K-3 II
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 800g - 131 x 100 x 77mm
  • Revealed April 2015
  • Earlier Model is Pentax K-3
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Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax K-3 II Overview

Here, we are evaluating the Panasonic ZS30 and Pentax K-3 II, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Advanced DSLR by companies Panasonic and Pentax. There is a large difference among the sensor resolutions of the ZS30 (18MP) and K-3 II (24MP) and the ZS30 (1/2.3") and K-3 II (APS-C) offer totally different sensor sizes.

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The ZS30 was manufactured 3 years prior to the K-3 II and that is a fairly serious difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of these cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic ZS30 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-3 II being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before we go into a comprehensive comparison, here is a simple summary of how the ZS30 matches up versus the K-3 II in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS30 over the Pentax K-3 II

 ZS30 K-3 II 
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 II over the Panasonic ZS30

 K-3 II ZS30 
RevealedApril 2015January 2013More recent by 27 months
Focus manually Dial accurate focusing
Display size3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution1037k920kSharper display (+117k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic ZS30 and Pentax K-3 II

 ZS30 K-3 II 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen

Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax K-3 II Physical Comparison

For anybody who is aiming to lug around your camera often, you'll have to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic ZS30 has physical dimensions of 105mm x 59mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") and a weight of 198 grams (0.44 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-3 II has dimensions of 131mm x 100mm x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") having a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).

Look at the Panasonic ZS30 and Pentax K-3 II in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are using during that time. Underneath is a front view dimension comparison of the ZS30 vs the K-3 II.

Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax K-3 II size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the ZS30 and K-3 II is 92 and 59 respectively.

Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax K-3 II top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax K-3 II Sensor Comparison

Often, it is tough to envision the contrast in sensor measurements only by researching technical specs. The photograph here will provide you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the ZS30 and K-3 II.

As you can tell, each of these cameras come with different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The ZS30 due to its smaller sensor will make getting bokeh trickier and the Pentax K-3 II will result in greater detail due to its extra 6MP. Greater resolution will help you crop photos a good deal more aggressively. The older ZS30 will be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax K-3 II sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax K-3 II Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax K-3 II Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS30 Portrait photography advice
Pentax K-3 II Portrait photography advice
33
decent sensor resolution (18MP)
focusing manually not possible
external flash not possible
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
79
you can focus manually
decent MP (24MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
offers face detect autofocus
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS30 as a Street photography camera
Pentax K-3 II as a Street photography camera
66
built in image stabilization (Optical)
includes touch to focus
lighter than average in class (198 grams)
no articulating screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
69
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
weather sealing
above average high ISO (51,200)
no moving screen
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic ZS30
Sports photography with Pentax K-3 II
46
great zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (18 megapixels)
offers tracking autofocus
low maximum shutter speed (1/1,200s)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
not so great battery pack (260 shots)
does not have phase detect AF
76
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (24 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
offers tracking focus
weather sealing
supports phase detect autofocus
low battery power (720 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic ZS30
Travel photography with Pentax K-3 II
69
lighter than average in class (198 grams)
includes touch to focus
decent sensor resolution (18MP)
built-in flash
pretty wide (24mm)
great zoom (480mm)
does not have Timelapse function
not so great battery pack (260 CIPA)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
56
weather sealing
decent MP (24 megapixels)
low battery power (720 CIPA)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic ZS30
Landscape photography with Pentax K-3 II
44
pretty wide (24mm)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (18MP)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
not so great battery pack (260 per charge)
does not have Timelapse function
78
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is decent (3.2 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (24MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
doesnt have low pass filter
above average high ISO (51,200)
exports RAW formats
weather sealing
two card slots
low battery power (720 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS30 Vlogging info
Pentax K-3 II Vlogging info
35
pretty wide (24mm)
touchscreen capability
built in image stabilization (Optical)
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than average in class (198 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
does not have external microphone port
34
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detect autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
comes with mic socket
screen is not selfie friendly
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Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax K-3 II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS30 and Pentax K-3 II
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30Pentax K-3 II
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30 Pentax K-3 II
Also called as Lumix DMC-TZ40 -
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Advanced DSLR
Revealed 2013-01-07 2015-04-23
Physical type Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor - Prime III
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 18 megapixels 24 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Maximum resolution 4896 x 3672 6016 x 4000
Maximum native ISO 6400 51200
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 23 27
Cross type focus points - 25
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens zoom range 24-480mm (20.0x) -
Maximum aperture f/3.3-6.4 -
Macro focusing range 3cm -
Available lenses - 151
Crop factor 5.8 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inch 3.2 inch
Screen resolution 920 thousand dots 1,037 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.64x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/1200s 1/8000s
Continuous shooting rate 10.0 frames per sec 8.3 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 6.40 m no built-in flash
Flash options 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 (available with dedicated external flash)
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize - 1/180s
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
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, 30p, 25p, 24p)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, AVCHD MPEG-4, H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Optional
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn BuiltIn
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 198 grams (0.44 pounds) 800 grams (1.76 pounds)
Physical dimensions 105 x 59 x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") 131 x 100 x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 80
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.6
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 13.6
DXO Low light rating not tested 1106
Other
Battery life 260 photographs 720 photographs
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots One Dual
Pricing at launch $250 $829