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Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax KP

Portability
92
Imaging
42
Features
48
Overall
44
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30 front
 
Pentax KP front
Portability
61
Imaging
67
Features
76
Overall
70

Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax KP 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
  • Released January 2013
  • Additionally referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ40
  • Previous Model is Panasonic ZS25
  • Replacement is Panasonic ZS35
Pentax KP
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 819200
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 703g - 132 x 101 x 76mm
  • Announced January 2017
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Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax KP Overview

Below, we are evaluating the Panasonic ZS30 versus Pentax KP, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Advanced DSLR by rivals Panasonic and Pentax. There is a sizeable difference between the sensor resolutions of the ZS30 (18MP) and KP (24MP) and the ZS30 (1/2.3") and KP (APS-C) enjoy different sensor sizing.

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The ZS30 was unveiled 5 years earlier than the KP which is quite a large gap as far as tech is concerned. Both of these cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic ZS30 being a Compact camera and the Pentax KP being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before going in to a step-by-step comparison, below is a simple highlight of how the ZS30 matches up against the KP for portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS30 over the Pentax KP

 ZS30 KP 
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax KP over the Panasonic ZS30

 KP ZS30 
AnnouncedJanuary 2017January 2013More modern by 49 months
Manual focus More exact focus
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution921k920kClearer display (+1k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic ZS30 and Pentax KP

 ZS30 KP 
Display dimension3"3"Identical display measurement
Selfie screen No selfie screen

Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax KP Physical Comparison

In case you're intending to carry around your camera frequently, you're going to have to consider its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic ZS30 has exterior measurements of 105mm x 59mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") and a weight of 198 grams (0.44 lbs) whilst the Pentax KP has dimensions of 132mm x 101mm x 76mm (5.2" x 4.0" x 3.0") having a weight of 703 grams (1.55 lbs).

Look at the Panasonic ZS30 versus Pentax KP in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you choose at that moment. The following is the front view over all size comparison of the ZS30 vs the KP.

Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax KP size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the ZS30 and KP is 92 and 61 respectively.

Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax KP top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax KP Sensor Comparison

Usually, it can be hard to picture the gap between sensor sizes only by reviewing technical specs. The image underneath may give you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the ZS30 and KP.

As you can tell, both of these cameras posses different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The ZS30 using its tinier sensor is going to make getting shallow DOF more difficult and the Pentax KP will offer extra detail having an extra 6 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also help you crop images somewhat more aggressively. The more aged ZS30 is going to be behind in sensor tech.

Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax KP sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax KP Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS30 Portrait photography advice
Pentax KP Portrait photography advice
33
megapixel count decent (18 megapixels)
no manual focus
can't use external flash
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
80
you can focus manually
decent megapixels (24MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
comes with face detection focusing
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS30 Street photography information
Pentax KP Street photography information
66
built in image stabilization (Optical)
comes with focus by touch
lighter than average (198 grams)
fixed screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
76
screen tilts
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
environment proof
above average ISO range (819,200)
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS30 Sports photography factors
Pentax KP Sports photography factors
46
incredible zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (18 megapixels)
offers tracking autofocus
low max shutter speed (1/1,200 seconds)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
low battery pack (260 shots)
does not have phase detect autofocus
72
great max shutter speed (1/6,000 seconds)
silent shooting (1/24,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent megapixels (24 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
comes with tracking autofocus
environment proof
low battery (390 per charge)
has no phase detect AF
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS30 Travel photography highlights
Pentax KP Travel photography highlights
69
lighter than average (198 grams)
comes with focus by touch
megapixel count decent (18MP)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (24mm)
long zoom (480mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
low battery pack (260 per charge)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
61
environment proof
decent megapixels (24MP)
flash built-in
low battery (390 shots)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS30 Landscape photography factors
Pentax KP Landscape photography factors
44
reasonably wide (24mm)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (18MP)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
low battery pack (260 CIPA)
doesn't have Timelapse function
77
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent megapixels (24MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
above average ISO range (819,200)
saves RAW files
environment proof
low battery (390 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS30 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax KP as a Vlogging camera
35
reasonably wide (24mm)
built-in touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
high video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than average (198 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
doesn't have external microphone support
34
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
comes with face detection focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
includes external mic socket
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
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Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax KP Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS30 and Pentax KP
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30Pentax KP
General Information
Brand Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30 Pentax KP
Also referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ40 -
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Advanced DSLR
Released 2013-01-07 2017-01-26
Physical type Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Chip - PRIME IV
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 18MP 24MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Full resolution 4896 x 3672 6016 x 4000
Max native ISO 6400 819200
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 23 27
Cross focus points - 25
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens focal range 24-480mm (20.0x) -
Maximum 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 Tilting
Screen diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 920k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.63x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/1200 seconds 1/6000 seconds
Maximum silent shutter speed - 1/24000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 10.0fps 7.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 6.40 m 6.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, auto w/redeye reduction, flash on w/redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync, manual, wireless
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB 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 (60i, 30p)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, AVCHD MPEG-4, H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
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 gr (0.44 lbs) 703 gr (1.55 lbs)
Dimensions 105 x 59 x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") 132 x 101 x 76mm (5.2" x 4.0" x 3.0")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 260 shots 390 shots
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI109
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 secs)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I supported)
Card slots 1 1
Price at launch $250 $747