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Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax S1

Portability
92
Imaging
42
Features
48
Overall
44
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30 front
 
Pentax Optio S1 front
Portability
93
Imaging
37
Features
31
Overall
34

Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax S1 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
  • Announced January 2013
  • Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-TZ40
  • Previous Model is Panasonic ZS25
  • Updated by Panasonic ZS35
Pentax S1
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 157g - 114 x 58 x 28mm
  • Announced March 2011
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Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax S1 Overview

Below is a extensive analysis of the Panasonic ZS30 versus Pentax S1, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Panasonic and Pentax. There exists a large gap among the resolutions of the ZS30 (18MP) and S1 (14MP) but they enjoy the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The ZS30 was manufactured 23 months later than the S1 which makes the cameras a generation apart from one another. Both of the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before diving in to a full comparison, below is a concise summation of how the ZS30 matches up versus the S1 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS30 over the Pentax S1

 ZS30 S1 
AnnouncedJanuary 2013March 2011More recent by 23 months
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution920k230kClearer screen (+690k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax S1 over the Panasonic ZS30

 S1 ZS30 
Manual focus Very exact focusing

Common features in the Panasonic ZS30 and Pentax S1

 ZS30 S1 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen

Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax S1 Physical Comparison

If you're intending to lug around your camera regularly, you're going to have to take into account its weight and proportions. 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) whilst the Pentax S1 has measurements of 114mm x 58mm x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") with a weight of 157 grams (0.35 lbs).

Compare the Panasonic ZS30 versus Pentax S1 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you use at that time. Here is the front view dimension comparison of the ZS30 and the S1.

Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax S1 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the ZS30 and S1 is 92 and 93 respectively.

Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax S1 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax S1 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it can be hard to visualize the contrast in sensor measurements just by researching technical specs. The graphic here may provide you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the ZS30 and S1.

As you can tell, both cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit different megapixels. You can count on the Panasonic ZS30 to result in more detail due to its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will enable you to crop photographs a little more aggressively. The more modern ZS30 should have an advantage in sensor innovation.

Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax S1 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax S1 Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS30 Portrait photography factors
Pentax S1 Portrait photography factors
33
decent sensor resolution (18 megapixels)
manual focus not available
external flash not possible
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
35
has manual focus
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
no manual control
can't use external flash
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS30 Street photography details
Pentax S1 Street photography details
66
built in image stabilization (Optical)
includes focus by touch
lighter than average in class (198 grams)
no moving screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
56
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
screen is fixed
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW files
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic ZS30
Sports photography with Pentax S1
46
long zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (18MP)
features tracking focus
maximum shutter speed is a little low (1/1,200s)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
low battery life (260 shots)
no phase detect AF
39
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
includes tracking autofocus
max frames per second low (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS30 Travel photography highlights
Pentax S1 Travel photography highlights
69
lighter than average in class (198g)
includes focus by touch
decent sensor resolution (18 megapixels)
has built in flash
pretty wide (24mm)
great reach (480mm)
missing Timelapse function
low battery life (260 CIPA)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
64
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
really wide (28mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS30 Landscape photography information
Pentax S1 Landscape photography information
44
pretty wide (24mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (18 megapixels)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
low battery life (260 shots)
missing Timelapse function
42
has manual focus
really wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
small screen (2.7")
no manual control
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW files
does not have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS30 Vlogging factors
Pentax S1 Vlogging factors
35
pretty wide (24mm)
touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than average in class (198g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
missing microphone socket
28
really wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have external mic socket
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Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS30 and Pentax S1
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30Pentax Optio S1
General Information
Brand Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30 Pentax Optio S1
Otherwise known as Lumix DMC-TZ40 -
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2013-01-07 2011-03-02
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface 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 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Full resolution 4896 x 3672 4288 x 3216
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
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) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Max aperture f/3.3-6.4 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focus distance 3cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3" 2.7"
Screen resolution 920 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen technology - TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15 seconds 4 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/1200 seconds 1/1500 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 10.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 6.40 m 3.90 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
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)
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 None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 198g (0.44 lb) 157g (0.35 lb)
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 images 260 images
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots One One
Launch cost $250 $174