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Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax K-5 II

Portability
92
Imaging
42
Features
48
Overall
44
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30 front
 
Pentax K-5 II front
Portability
60
Imaging
58
Features
82
Overall
67

Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax K-5 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
  • Additionally Known as Lumix DMC-TZ40
  • Older Model is Panasonic ZS25
  • New Model is Panasonic ZS35
Pentax K-5 II
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Boost to 51200)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 760g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
  • Launched June 2013
  • Older Model is Pentax K-5
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Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax K-5 II Overview

Its time to look a bit more in depth at the Panasonic ZS30 and Pentax K-5 II, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Advanced DSLR by brands Panasonic and Pentax. The resolution of the ZS30 (18MP) and the K-5 II (16MP) is pretty comparable but the ZS30 (1/2.3") and K-5 II (APS-C) offer different sensor sizes.

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The ZS30 was brought out 4 months before the K-5 II and they are both of a similar generation. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic ZS30 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-5 II being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before going into a thorough comparison, here is a quick highlight of how the ZS30 scores vs the K-5 II in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS30 over the Pentax K-5 II

 ZS30 K-5 II 
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K-5 II over the Panasonic ZS30

 K-5 II ZS30 
Focus manually More accurate focusing
Screen resolution921k920kCrisper screen (+1k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic ZS30 and Pentax K-5 II

 ZS30 K-5 II 
LaunchedJanuary 2013June 2013Same generation
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen dimensions
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen

Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax K-5 II Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to carry your camera regularly, you should think about its weight and size. The Panasonic ZS30 provides outer dimensions of 105mm x 59mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") and a weight of 198 grams (0.44 lbs) and the Pentax K-5 II has specifications of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") accompanied by a weight of 760 grams (1.68 lbs).

Analyze the Panasonic ZS30 and Pentax K-5 II in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you select during that time. Underneath is a front view dimension comparison of the ZS30 versus the K-5 II.

Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax K-5 II size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the ZS30 and K-5 II is 92 and 60 respectively.

Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax K-5 II top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax K-5 II Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it's hard to picture the contrast in sensor sizing only by checking out technical specs. The visual below will offer you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the ZS30 and K-5 II.

As you can tell, both of the cameras come with different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The ZS30 because of its smaller sensor is going to make achieving bokeh more difficult and the Panasonic ZS30 will provide extra detail having its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will also help you crop shots a good deal more aggressively.

Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax K-5 II sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax K-5 II Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax K-5 II Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS30 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax K-5 II as a Portrait photography camera
33
MP count good (18MP)
no manual focus
can't use external flash
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
74
manual focus
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
features face detection focus
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS30 Street photography information
Pentax K-5 II Street photography information
66
built in image stabilization (Optical)
provides touch focus
lighter than competition in class (198 grams)
no articulating screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
67
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
weather sealing
screen is fixed
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS30 Sports photography features
Pentax K-5 II Sports photography features
46
incredible zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (18 megapixels)
features tracking focus
max shutter speed is low (1/1,200s)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
not so great battery power (260 per charge)
lack of phase detect auto focus
79
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
features tracking autofocus
weather sealing
sensor has phase detect auto focus
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic ZS30
Travel photography with Pentax K-5 II
69
lighter than competition in class (198 grams)
provides touch focus
MP count good (18MP)
built-in flash
relatively wide (24mm)
great zoom (480mm)
does not have Timelapse function
not so great battery power (260 CIPA)
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
65
weather sealing
decent megapixels (16MP)
built-in flash
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS30 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax K-5 II as a Landscape photography camera
44
relatively wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (18 megapixels)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
not so great battery power (260 shots)
does not have Timelapse function
79
manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is decent (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
weather sealing
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS30 Vlogging highlights
Pentax K-5 II Vlogging highlights
35
relatively wide (24mm)
built-in touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition in class (198 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have microphone support
33
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detection focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
includes external mic support
screen is not selfie friendly
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Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax K-5 II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS30 and Pentax K-5 II
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30Pentax K-5 II
General Information
Company Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30 Pentax K-5 II
Also Known as Lumix DMC-TZ40 -
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Advanced DSLR
Revealed 2013-01-07 2013-06-04
Physical type Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Chip - Prime II
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 alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 4896 x 3672 4928 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 6400 12800
Maximum enhanced ISO - 51200
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Minimum enhanced ISO - 80
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 23 11
Cross type focus points - 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens zoom range 24-480mm (20.0x) -
Maximal aperture f/3.3-6.4 -
Macro focusing distance 3cm -
Amount of lenses - 151
Crop factor 5.8 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3" 3"
Screen resolution 920 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology - TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.61x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/1200s 1/8000s
Continuous shutter rate 10.0 frames per sec 7.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 6.40 m 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, High speed, Rear curtain and Wireless
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
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) 1920 x 1080 (25 fps), 1280 x 720 (25, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (25, 30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, AVCHD Motion JPEG
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
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 198g (0.44 pounds) 760g (1.68 pounds)
Physical dimensions 105 x 59 x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") 131 x 97 x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 82
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.8
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 14.1
DXO Low light rating not tested 1235
Other
Battery life 260 photographs 980 photographs
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 1 1
Launch pricing $250 $830