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Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax K-r

Portability
92
Imaging
42
Features
48
Overall
44
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30 front
 
Pentax K-r front
Portability
67
Imaging
53
Features
52
Overall
52

Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax K-r 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
  • Earlier Model is Panasonic ZS25
  • Later Model is Panasonic ZS35
Pentax K-r
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 12800 (Boost to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 598g - 125 x 97 x 68mm
  • Announced March 2011
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Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax K-r Overview

Lets look more in depth at the Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax K-r, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by rivals Panasonic and Pentax. There is a substantial difference among the resolutions of the ZS30 (18MP) and K-r (12MP) and the ZS30 (1/2.3") and K-r (APS-C) have totally different sensor sizing.

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The ZS30 was launched 23 months later than the K-r making them a generation apart from each other. The two cameras have different body design with the Panasonic ZS30 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-r being a Compact SLR camera.

Before going straight to a detailed comparison, here is a simple overview of how the ZS30 scores vs the K-r in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS30 over the Pentax K-r

 ZS30 K-r 
AnnouncedJanuary 2013March 2011Fresher by 23 months
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K-r over the Panasonic ZS30

 K-r ZS30 
Focus manually More accurate focusing
Display resolution921k920kSharper display (+1k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic ZS30 and Pentax K-r

 ZS30 K-r 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display measurement
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen

Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax K-r Physical Comparison

When you are looking to carry your camera regularly, you will want to factor in its weight and size. The Panasonic ZS30 comes with exterior dimensions of 105mm x 59mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 198 grams (0.44 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-r has specifications of 125mm x 97mm x 68mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.7") with a weight of 598 grams (1.32 lbs).

Check the Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax K-r in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you have at that time. Below is a front view proportions comparison of the ZS30 against the K-r.

Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax K-r size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the ZS30 and K-r is 92 and 67 respectively.

Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax K-r top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax K-r Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it's difficult to see the difference in sensor sizing simply by viewing a spec sheet. The graphic below may provide you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the ZS30 and K-r.

Clearly, both of these cameras have different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The ZS30 featuring a smaller sensor will make getting shallower DOF more difficult and the Panasonic ZS30 will provide you with greater detail utilizing its extra 6 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also let you crop images a bit more aggressively. The newer ZS30 will have an edge when it comes to sensor innovation.

Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax K-r sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax K-r Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS30 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax K-r as a Portrait photography camera
33
good MP (18 megapixels)
no manual focus
external flash not possible
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
63
focusing manually
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports face detect focus
supports RAW formats
low MP (12 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS30 Street photography factors
Pentax K-r Street photography factors
66
has image stabilization (Optical)
provides focus via touch
lighter than competition in class (198 grams)
screen does not articulate
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
67
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
fixed screen
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic ZS30
Sports photography with Pentax K-r
46
long zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (18MP)
offers tracking focus
maximum shutter speed is a little low (1/1,200s)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
terrible battery life (260 CIPA)
lack of phase detect AF
55
max shutter speed is good (1/6,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect auto focus
max frames per second low (6.0 frames per second)
low MP (12MP)
bad battery pack (470 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic ZS30
Travel photography with Pentax K-r
69
lighter than competition in class (198g)
provides focus via touch
good MP (18 megapixels)
flash built-in
fairly wide (24mm)
very long zoom (480mm)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
terrible battery life (260 shots)
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
47
built-in flash
bad battery pack (470 per charge)
low MP (12 megapixels)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS30 Landscape photography features
Pentax K-r Landscape photography features
44
fairly wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (18MP)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
terrible battery life (260 CIPA)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
65
focusing manually
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
low MP (12 megapixels)
bad battery pack (470 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS30 Vlogging info
Pentax K-r Vlogging info
35
fairly wide (24mm)
touch screen
has image stabilization (Optical)
good video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition in class (198g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
display isn't selfie friendly
doesn't have microphone port
26
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detect focus
does not offer selfie friendly screen
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have mic socket
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Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax K-r Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS30 and Pentax K-r
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30Pentax K-r
General Information
Company Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30 Pentax K-r
Also called Lumix DMC-TZ40 -
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level DSLR
Introduced 2013-01-07 2011-03-11
Physical type Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Prime II
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.6 x 15.8mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 372.9mm²
Sensor resolution 18 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Max resolution 4896 x 3672 4288 x 2848
Max native ISO 6400 12800
Max enhanced ISO - 25600
Min native ISO 100 200
RAW pictures
Min enhanced ISO - 100
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
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 mount type fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens zoom range 24-480mm (20.0x) -
Highest aperture f/3.3-6.4 -
Macro focusing distance 3cm -
Total lenses - 151
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 920 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen technology - TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 96%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.57x
Features
Min shutter speed 15s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/1200s 1/6000s
Continuous shutter rate 10.0 frames/s 6.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 6.40 m 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, Red-eye Reduction, Slow-speed Sync, Trailing Curtain Sync, High-Speed Sync and Wireless Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize - 1/180s
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) 1280 x 720 (25 fps), 640 x 480 (25 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4, AVCHD Motion JPEG
Mic port
Headphone port
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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 198 gr (0.44 pounds) 598 gr (1.32 pounds)
Physical dimensions 105 x 59 x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") 125 x 97 x 68mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 72
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 22.9
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.4
DXO Low light rating not tested 755
Other
Battery life 260 pictures 470 pictures
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI109,4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC
Card slots 1 1
Cost at release $250 $1,100