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Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax K20D

Portability
92
Imaging
42
Features
48
Overall
44
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30 front
 
Pentax K20D front
Portability
59
Imaging
54
Features
52
Overall
53

Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax K20D 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
  • Announced January 2013
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-TZ40
  • Replaced the Panasonic ZS25
  • Later Model is Panasonic ZS35
Pentax K20D
(Full Review)
  • 15MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200 (Increase to 6400)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 800g - 142 x 101 x 70mm
  • Revealed June 2008
  • Older Model is Pentax K10D
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Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax K20D Overview

Its time to look closer at the Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax K20D, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Advanced DSLR by brands Panasonic and Pentax. The resolution of the ZS30 (18MP) and the K20D (15MP) is fairly well matched but the ZS30 (1/2.3") and K20D (APS-C) boast different sensor sizes.

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The ZS30 was launched 4 years later than the K20D and that is quite a big gap as far as technology is concerned. The two cameras have different body design with the Panasonic ZS30 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K20D being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before we go straight to a more detailed comparison, here is a concise summary of how the ZS30 matches up versus the K20D with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS30 over the Pentax K20D

 ZS30 K20D 
RevealedJanuary 2013June 2008Fresher by 56 months
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution920k230kSharper display (+690k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K20D over the Panasonic ZS30

 K20D ZS30 
Focus manually Dial exact focusing

Common features in the Panasonic ZS30 and Pentax K20D

 ZS30 K20D 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen

Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax K20D Physical Comparison

For those who are aiming to carry your camera, you'll need to consider its weight and measurements. The Panasonic ZS30 enjoys outer dimensions of 105mm x 59mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") along with a weight of 198 grams (0.44 lbs) while the Pentax K20D has proportions of 142mm x 101mm x 70mm (5.6" x 4.0" x 2.8") with a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).

Compare the Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax K20D in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are working with at that time. Below is a front view measurement comparison of the ZS30 vs the K20D.

Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax K20D size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the ZS30 and K20D is 92 and 59 respectively.

Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax K20D top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax K20D Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is very difficult to imagine the gap between sensor sizing purely by checking a spec sheet. The visual here may give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the ZS30 and K20D.

As you can see, both of those cameras provide different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The ZS30 featuring a tinier sensor is going to make achieving shallower DOF tougher and the Panasonic ZS30 will give greater detail utilizing its extra 3MP. Greater resolution will make it easier to crop pics more aggressively. The more recent ZS30 provides a benefit when it comes to sensor technology.

Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax K20D sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax K20D Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax K20D Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS30 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax K20D as a Portrait photography camera
33
MP count decent (18MP)
manual focus not available
can't use external flash
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
72
you can focus manually
good megapixels (15MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS30 Street photography highlights
Pentax K20D Street photography highlights
66
image stabilization (Optical)
supports touch focus
lighter than competition (198 grams)
screen does not articulate
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
65
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
environment sealing
no articulating screen
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS30 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax K20D as a Sports photography camera
46
excellent zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (18MP)
includes tracking focus
maximum shutter speed is a little low (1/1,200s)
small sensor (1/2.3")
not so great battery (260 CIPA)
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
68
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (15MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
environment sealing
comes with phase detect autofocus
max fps low (3.0 fps)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS30 Travel photography information
Pentax K20D Travel photography information
69
lighter than competition (198g)
supports touch focus
MP count decent (18 megapixels)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (24mm)
long reach (480mm)
does not have Time Lapse function
not so great battery (260 CIPA)
screen is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.3)
64
environment sealing
good megapixels (15 megapixels)
flash built-in
does not contain selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic ZS30
Landscape photography with Pentax K20D
44
reasonably wide (24mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (18 megapixels)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
not so great battery (260 per charge)
does not have Time Lapse function
71
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (15MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
environment sealing
small screen (2.7")
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic ZS30
Vlogging with Pentax K20D
35
reasonably wide (24mm)
screen is touchscreen
image stabilization (Optical)
great video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition (198 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have mic socket
9
can't shoot video
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Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax K20D Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS30 and Pentax K20D
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30Pentax K20D
General Information
Company Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30 Pentax K20D
Otherwise known as Lumix DMC-TZ40 -
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Advanced DSLR
Announced 2013-01-07 2008-06-25
Body design Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 18MP 15MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Max resolution 4896 x 3672 4672 x 3104
Max native ISO 6400 3200
Max enhanced ISO - 6400
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 23 11
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens zoom range 24-480mm (20.0x) -
Max aperture f/3.3-6.4 -
Macro focusing distance 3cm -
Number of lenses - 151
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1.5
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inches 2.7 inches
Display resolution 920k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.64x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/1200 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 10.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 6.40 m 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, Red-Eye, Slow, Red-Eye Slow, Rear curtain, wireless
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync - 1/180 seconds
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) -
Max video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video format MPEG-4, AVCHD -
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn None
Physical
Environmental seal
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") 142 x 101 x 70mm (5.6" x 4.0" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 65
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 22.9
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 11.1
DXO Low light rating not tested 639
Other
Battery life 260 shots -
Form of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID - D-LI50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/MMC/SDHC card
Storage slots Single Single
Cost at release $250 $700