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Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax K-S1

Portability
92
Imaging
42
Features
48
Overall
44
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30 front
 
Pentax K-S1 front
Portability
69
Imaging
64
Features
70
Overall
66

Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax K-S1 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
  • Introduced January 2013
  • Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-TZ40
  • Previous Model is Panasonic ZS25
  • Newer Model is Panasonic ZS35
Pentax K-S1
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 558g - 121 x 93 x 70mm
  • Launched August 2014
  • Replacement is Pentax K-S2
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Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax K-S1 Overview

Below is a thorough assessment of the Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax K-S1, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Advanced DSLR by rivals Panasonic and Pentax. The resolution of the ZS30 (18MP) and the K-S1 (20MP) is very comparable but the ZS30 (1/2.3") and K-S1 (APS-C) possess totally different sensor size.

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The ZS30 was unveiled 19 months before the K-S1 making the cameras a generation apart from each other. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic ZS30 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-S1 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before diving straight into a complete comparison, below is a concise highlight of how the ZS30 scores vs the K-S1 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS30 over the Pentax K-S1

 ZS30 K-S1 
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K-S1 over the Panasonic ZS30

 K-S1 ZS30 
LaunchedAugust 2014January 2013More recent by 19 months
Focus manually Dial accurate focus
Display resolution921k920kCrisper display (+1k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic ZS30 and Pentax K-S1

 ZS30 K-S1 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display size
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen

Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax K-S1 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is planning to lug around your camera frequently, you should factor its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic ZS30 has got outer measurements of 105mm x 59mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") with a weight of 198 grams (0.44 lbs) and the Pentax K-S1 has dimensions of 121mm x 93mm x 70mm (4.8" x 3.7" x 2.8") having a weight of 558 grams (1.23 lbs).

Analyze the Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax K-S1 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you use during that time. Here is the front view size comparison of the ZS30 versus the K-S1.

Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax K-S1 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the ZS30 and K-S1 is 92 and 69 respectively.

Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax K-S1 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax K-S1 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is tough to see the difference in sensor measurements merely by going through specs. The graphic below will give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the ZS30 and K-S1.

As you can plainly see, each of these cameras offer different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The ZS30 with its smaller sensor will make achieving shallow depth of field more challenging and the Pentax K-S1 will show greater detail having an extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will enable you to crop pics a little more aggressively. The older ZS30 will be behind when it comes to sensor technology.

Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax K-S1 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax K-S1 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax K-S1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS30 Portrait photography info
Pentax K-S1 Portrait photography info
33
sensor resolution is decent (18MP)
focusing manually not possible
can't use external flash
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
78
focusing manually
good megapixels (20 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
has face detect autofocus
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS30 as a Street photography camera
Pentax K-S1 as a Street photography camera
66
built in image stabilization (Optical)
includes focus via touch
lighter than competition (198g)
screen does not articulate
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
73
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
lighter than competitors in class (558g)
good high ISO (51,200)
no articulating screen
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic ZS30
Sports photography with Pentax K-S1
46
great zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (18 megapixels)
provides tracking focus
maximum shutter speed is a little low (1/1,200 seconds)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
low battery (260 shots)
does not have phase detect autofocus
69
great max shutter speed (1/6,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (20MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
has tracking focus
has phase detect autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (5.4 frames/s)
not so great battery pack (410 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS30 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax K-S1 as a Travel photography camera
69
lighter than competition (198 grams)
includes focus via touch
sensor resolution is decent (18MP)
has built in flash
really wide (24mm)
great zoom (480mm)
missing Time Lapse function
low battery (260 CIPA)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
60
lighter than competitors in class (558 grams)
good megapixels (20MP)
flash built-in
no Timelapse recording
not so great battery pack (410 shots)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS30 Landscape photography information
Pentax K-S1 Landscape photography information
44
really wide (24mm)
screen size is decent (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (18MP)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
low battery (260 shots)
missing Time Lapse function
73
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (20MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
doesnt have low pass filter
good high ISO (51,200)
supports RAW files
not so great battery pack (410 shots)
no Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS30 Vlogging info
Pentax K-S1 Vlogging info
35
really wide (24mm)
has touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition (198 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
missing mic socket
33
image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detect autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competitors in class (558 grams)
display isn't selfie friendly
no microphone jack
Photography Glossary

Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax K-S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS30 and Pentax K-S1
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30Pentax K-S1
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30 Pentax K-S1
Otherwise known as Lumix DMC-TZ40 -
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Advanced DSLR
Introduced 2013-01-07 2014-08-27
Body design Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Prime MII
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 18MP 20MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Max resolution 4896 x 3672 5472 x 3648
Max native ISO 6400 51200
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 23 11
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens focal range 24-480mm (20.0x) -
Maximum aperture f/3.3-6.4 -
Macro focus range 3cm -
Total lenses - 151
Crop factor 5.8 1.5
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 920k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.64x
Features
Min shutter speed 15s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/1200s 1/6000s
Continuous shutter speed 10.0 frames/s 5.4 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 6.40 m 10.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, auto + redeye, on, on + redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync, manual
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
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 (30,25,24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60,50 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, AVCHD H.264
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn Optional
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 198g (0.44 pounds) 558g (1.23 pounds)
Dimensions 105 x 59 x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") 121 x 93 x 70mm (4.8" x 3.7" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 78
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.5
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 13.0
DXO Low light score not tested 1061
Other
Battery life 260 pictures 410 pictures
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI109
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
Storage slots 1 1
Price at release $250 $339