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Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax RS1500

Portability
92
Imaging
42
Features
48
Overall
44
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30 front
 
Pentax Optio RS1500 front
Portability
93
Imaging
37
Features
30
Overall
34

Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax RS1500 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
  • Launched January 2013
  • Also referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ40
  • Previous Model is Panasonic ZS25
  • Renewed by Panasonic ZS35
Pentax RS1500
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-110mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 157g - 114 x 58 x 28mm
  • Released March 2011
Photography Glossary

Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax RS1500 Overview

In this article, we will be looking at the Panasonic ZS30 and Pentax RS1500, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by competitors Panasonic and Pentax. There is a significant difference among the image resolutions of the ZS30 (18MP) and RS1500 (14MP) but they use the same exact sensor size (1/2.3").

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The ZS30 was manufactured 23 months later than the RS1500 which makes the cameras a generation apart from each other. The two cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before we go through a more detailed comparison, below is a short introduction of how the ZS30 grades against the RS1500 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS30 over the Pentax RS1500

 ZS30 RS1500 
ReleasedJanuary 2013March 2011Fresher by 23 months
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution920k230kClearer screen (+690k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax RS1500 over the Panasonic ZS30

 RS1500 ZS30 
Focus manually Very exact focusing

Common features in the Panasonic ZS30 and Pentax RS1500

 ZS30 RS1500 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen

Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax RS1500 Physical Comparison

For those who are looking to carry your camera regularly, you are going to need to consider its weight and size. The Panasonic ZS30 enjoys outer measurements of 105mm x 59mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") and a weight of 198 grams (0.44 lbs) while the Pentax RS1500 has specifications of 114mm x 58mm x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") having a weight of 157 grams (0.35 lbs).

Check out the Panasonic ZS30 and Pentax RS1500 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you select during that time. Following is the front view scale comparison of the ZS30 compared to the RS1500.

Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax RS1500 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the ZS30 and RS1500 is 92 and 93 respectively.

Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax RS1500 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax RS1500 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it can be tough to envision the difference in sensor sizing purely by viewing technical specs. The photograph underneath may provide you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the ZS30 and RS1500.

As you have seen, the two cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same megapixels. You should count on the Panasonic ZS30 to result in extra detail due to its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will enable you to crop photographs a little more aggressively. The more modern ZS30 is going to have an edge when it comes to sensor tech.

Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax RS1500 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax RS1500 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax RS1500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS30 Portrait photography info
Pentax RS1500 Portrait photography info
33
good resolution (18MP)
manual focus not available
can't use external flash
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
35
manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
manual exposure not possible
cannot use external flash
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS30 Street photography information
Pentax RS1500 Street photography information
66
image stabilization (Optical)
supports touch to focus
lighter than others in class (198 grams)
no moving screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
54
weather sealing
screen is fixed
no image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS30 Sports photography information
Pentax RS1500 Sports photography information
46
incredible zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (18 megapixels)
provides tracking focus
low max shutter speed (1/1,200 seconds)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
low battery pack (260 shots)
lacks phase detect autofocus
37
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
includes tracking autofocus
weather sealing
continuous shooting slow (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS30 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax RS1500 as a Travel photography camera
69
lighter than others in class (198 grams)
supports touch to focus
good resolution (18 megapixels)
built-in flash
fairly wide (24mm)
very long reach (480mm)
no Timelapse function
low battery pack (260 per charge)
does not feature selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
67
weather sealing
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (28mm)
does not have Timelapse recording
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS30 Landscape photography advice
Pentax RS1500 Landscape photography advice
44
fairly wide (24mm)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (18MP)
manual focus not available
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
low battery pack (260 shots)
no Timelapse function
40
manual focus
reasonably wide (28mm)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
weather sealing
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
screen is small (2.7 inch)
manual exposure not possible
no image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
does not have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS30 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax RS1500 as a Vlogging camera
35
fairly wide (24mm)
screen is touchscreen
image stabilization (Optical)
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than others in class (198 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
does not feature selfie friendly display
no microphone jack
25
reasonably wide (28mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have external microphone jack
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Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax RS1500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS30 and Pentax RS1500
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30Pentax Optio RS1500
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30 Pentax Optio RS1500
Also Known as Lumix DMC-TZ40 -
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2013-01-07 2011-03-16
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 18 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4896 x 3672 4288 x 3216
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 23 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-480mm (20.0x) 28-110mm (3.9x)
Highest aperture f/3.3-6.4 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focus distance 3cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of screen 920 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen tech - TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15 secs 4 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/1200 secs 1/1500 secs
Continuous shooting speed 10.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 6.40 m 3.90 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
Hot shoe
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) 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, AVCHD Motion JPEG
Microphone input
Headphone input
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
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 198 grams (0.44 lbs) 157 grams (0.35 lbs)
Dimensions 105 x 59 x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") 114 x 58 x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1")
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 photos 260 photos
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Pricing at launch $250 $150