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Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax W90

Portability
92
Imaging
42
Features
48
Overall
44
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30 front
 
Pentax Optio W90 front
Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
21
Overall
29

Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax W90 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
  • Revealed January 2013
  • Also referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ40
  • Replaced the Panasonic ZS25
  • Newer Model is Panasonic ZS35
Pentax W90
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 164g - 108 x 59 x 25mm
  • Introduced February 2010
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Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax W90 Overview

Its time to look more in depth at the Panasonic ZS30 and Pentax W90, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Waterproof by competitors Panasonic and Pentax. There is a sizable difference among the image resolutions of the ZS30 (18MP) and W90 (12MP) but both cameras have the same sensor size (1/2.3").

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The ZS30 was unveiled 2 years after the W90 which is a fairly significant difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before diving right into a thorough comparison, here is a brief view of how the ZS30 matches up vs the W90 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS30 over the Pentax W90

 ZS30 W90 
IntroducedJanuary 2013February 2010More modern by 35 months
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution920k230kClearer screen (+690k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax W90 over the Panasonic ZS30

 W90 ZS30 
Manually focus Very accurate focus

Common features in the Panasonic ZS30 and Pentax W90

 ZS30 W90 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen

Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax W90 Physical Comparison

When you are planning to carry around your camera often, you have to take into account its weight and size. The Panasonic ZS30 has got physical measurements of 105mm x 59mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") with a weight of 198 grams (0.44 lbs) and the Pentax W90 has specifications of 108mm x 59mm x 25mm (4.3" x 2.3" x 1.0") accompanied by a weight of 164 grams (0.36 lbs).

Compare the Panasonic ZS30 and Pentax W90 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are employing at the time. Here is a front view measurement comparison of the ZS30 versus the W90.

Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax W90 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the ZS30 and W90 is 92 and 94 respectively.

Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax W90 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax W90 Sensor Comparison

Generally, its difficult to envision the contrast in sensor sizes merely by going through specifications. The picture underneath should give you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the ZS30 and W90.

To sum up, the two cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same megapixels. You can count on the Panasonic ZS30 to show greater detail having an extra 6MP. Higher resolution will also let you crop shots more aggressively. The more modern ZS30 is going to have an advantage in sensor technology.

Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax W90 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax W90 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax W90 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS30 Portrait photography information
Pentax W90 Portrait photography information
33
good MP (18 megapixels)
no manual focus
external flash not possible
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
27
has manual focus
manual exposure not possible
cannot use external flash
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic ZS30
Street photography with Pentax W90
66
has image stabilization (Optical)
boasts touch focus
lighter than average in class (198g)
no articulating screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
54
environment proof
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS30 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax W90 as a Sports photography camera
46
excellent zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (18MP)
features tracking autofocus
low maximum shutter speed (1/1,200 seconds)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
bad battery (260 CIPA)
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
24
environment proof
slow frames per second (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS30 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax W90 as a Travel photography camera
69
lighter than average in class (198 grams)
boasts touch focus
good MP (18MP)
flash built-in
relatively wide (24mm)
very long reach (480mm)
does not have Timelapse function
bad battery (260 CIPA)
display is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.3)
64
environment proof
has built in flash
really wide (28mm)
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS30 Landscape photography info
Pentax W90 Landscape photography info
44
relatively wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (18MP)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
bad battery (260 shots)
does not have Timelapse function
37
has manual focus
really wide (28mm)
environment proof
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
manual exposure not possible
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS30 Vlogging advice
Pentax W90 Vlogging advice
35
relatively wide (24mm)
built-in touchscreen
has image stabilization (Optical)
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than average in class (198 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
display is not selfie friendly
does not have external microphone socket
25
really wide (28mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of mic jack
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Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax W90 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS30 and Pentax W90
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30Pentax Optio W90
General Information
Company Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30 Pentax Optio W90
Also called Lumix DMC-TZ40 -
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Waterproof
Revealed 2013-01-07 2010-02-24
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor - Prime
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 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4896 x 3672 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 23 9
Lens
Lens mounting type 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
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inch 2.7 inch
Screen resolution 920 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15s 4s
Fastest shutter speed 1/1200s 1/1500s
Continuous shutter speed 10.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom WB
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
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
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) 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4, AVCHD Motion JPEG
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 198 gr (0.44 pounds) 164 gr (0.36 pounds)
Physical dimensions 105 x 59 x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") 108 x 59 x 25mm (4.3" x 2.3" x 1.0")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 pictures -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model - D-LI68
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC card, Internal
Storage slots One One
Launch pricing $250 $120