Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax K-30
92 Imaging
42 Features
48 Overall
44


63 Imaging
57 Features
66 Overall
60
Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax K-30 Key Specs
(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
- Released January 2013
- Other Name is Lumix DMC-TZ40
- Previous Model is Panasonic ZS25
- Renewed by Panasonic ZS35
(Full Review)
- 16MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 12800 (Push to 25600)
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1/6000s Max Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Pentax KAF2 Mount
- 650g - 130 x 97 x 71mm
- Launched October 2012
- Refreshed by Pentax K-50

Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax K-30 Overview
Its time to look more closely at the Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax K-30, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Advanced DSLR by rivals Panasonic and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the ZS30 (18MP) and the K-30 (16MP) is relatively well matched but the ZS30 (1/2.3") and K-30 (APS-C) have different sensor sizing.

The ZS30 was brought out 3 months after the K-30 and they are of a similar generation. The two cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic ZS30 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-30 being a Mid-size SLR camera.
Before going into a in depth comparison, here is a brief summation of how the ZS30 scores versus the K-30 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax K-30 Gallery
Here is a preview of the gallery photos for Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30 and Pentax K-30. The entire galleries are viewable at Panasonic ZS30 Gallery and Pentax K-30 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS30 over the Pentax K-30
ZS30 | K-30 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Touch screen | ![]() | Quickly navigate |
Reasons to pick Pentax K-30 over the Panasonic ZS30
K-30 | ZS30 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | More accurate focusing | ||
Screen resolution | 921k | ![]() | 920k | Clearer screen (+1k dot) |
Common features in the Panasonic ZS30 and Pentax K-30
ZS30 | K-30 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | January 2013 | ![]() | October 2012 | Similar generation |
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen size | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Same screen measurement |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither offers selfie screen |
Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax K-30 Physical Comparison
In case you're going to travel with your camera often, you should consider its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic ZS30 offers exterior dimensions of 105mm x 59mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") having a weight of 198 grams (0.44 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-30 has dimensions of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") with a weight of 650 grams (1.43 lbs).
Look at the Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax K-30 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you use at that moment. Underneath is a front view measurement comparison of the ZS30 and the K-30.

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the ZS30 and K-30 is 92 and 63 respectively.

Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax K-30 Sensor Comparison
More often than not, it is tough to imagine the gap between sensor dimensions only by checking technical specs. The image underneath may provide you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the ZS30 and K-30.
As you can tell, the two cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The ZS30 featuring a tinier sensor is going to make achieving shallower depth of field more challenging and the Panasonic ZS30 will resolve greater detail having its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also help you crop pictures way more aggressively.

Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax K-30 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax K-30 Specifications
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30 | Pentax K-30 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Panasonic | Pentax |
Model | Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30 | Pentax K-30 |
Otherwise known as | Lumix DMC-TZ40 | - |
Class | Small Sensor Superzoom | Advanced DSLR |
Released | 2013-01-07 | 2012-10-29 |
Physical type | Compact | Mid-size SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | - | Prime M |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | APS-C |
Sensor dimensions | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 23.7 x 15.7mm |
Sensor area | 28.1mm² | 372.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 18MP | 16MP |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 3:2 |
Highest resolution | 4896 x 3672 | 4928 x 3264 |
Highest native ISO | 6400 | 12800 |
Highest boosted ISO | - | 25600 |
Min native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW photos | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detection autofocus | ||
Contract detection autofocus | ||
Phase detection autofocus | ||
Number of focus points | 23 | 11 |
Cross focus points | - | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | fixed lens | Pentax KAF2 |
Lens focal range | 24-480mm (20.0x) | - |
Max aperture | f/3.3-6.4 | - |
Macro focus distance | 3cm | - |
Amount of lenses | - | 151 |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Type of screen | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen diagonal | 3" | 3" |
Resolution of screen | 920 thousand dots | 921 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch function | ||
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 | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 15 seconds | 30 seconds |
Highest shutter speed | 1/1200 seconds | 1/6000 seconds |
Continuous shooting rate | 10.0 frames per second | 6.0 frames per second |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash range | 6.40 m | 12.00 m (at ISO 100) |
Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye,Slow Sync, Slow Sync+ Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless |
Hot shoe | ||
AE bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Highest flash synchronize | - | 1/180 seconds |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
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 (30,25,24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60,50,30,25,24 fps), 640 x 424 (30,25,24 fps) |
Highest video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
Video file format | MPEG-4, AVCHD | MPEG-4, H.264 |
Mic support | ||
Headphone support | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Built-In | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | BuiltIn | Optional |
Physical | ||
Environmental sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 198 grams (0.44 lbs) | 650 grams (1.43 lbs) |
Physical dimensions | 105 x 59 x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") | 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around score | not tested | 79 |
DXO Color Depth score | not tested | 23.7 |
DXO Dynamic range score | not tested | 13.0 |
DXO Low light score | not tested | 1129 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 260 photos | 410 photos |
Form of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | - | D-LI109,4 x AA |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Storage type | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Card slots | One | One |
Pricing at launch | $250 | $525 |