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Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax WG-1

Portability
92
Imaging
42
Features
48
Overall
44
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30 front
 
Pentax Optio WG-1 front
Portability
93
Imaging
37
Features
31
Overall
34

Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax WG-1 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
  • Later Model is Panasonic ZS35
Pentax WG-1
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 157g - 114 x 58 x 28mm
  • Released February 2011
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Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax WG-1 Overview

Let's look closer at the Panasonic ZS30 versus Pentax WG-1, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Waterproof by competitors Panasonic and Pentax. There exists a sizeable gap among the image resolutions of the ZS30 (18MP) and WG-1 (14MP) but both cameras offer the same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The ZS30 was launched 24 months later than the WG-1 making them a generation apart from one another. Both of these cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before diving into a in-depth comparison, here is a simple synopsis of how the ZS30 scores versus the WG-1 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS30 over the Pentax WG-1

 ZS30 WG-1 
ReleasedJanuary 2013February 2011More recent by 24 months
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution920k230kClearer display (+690k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax WG-1 over the Panasonic ZS30

 WG-1 ZS30 
Focus manually More exact focusing

Common features in the Panasonic ZS30 and Pentax WG-1

 ZS30 WG-1 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen

Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax WG-1 Physical Comparison

In case you're aiming to lug around your camera often, you will need to consider its weight and proportions. The Panasonic ZS30 enjoys outer measurements of 105mm x 59mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 198 grams (0.44 lbs) whilst the Pentax WG-1 has measurements of 114mm x 58mm x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") and a weight of 157 grams (0.35 lbs).

Examine the Panasonic ZS30 versus Pentax WG-1 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are utilising during that time. Underneath is a front view proportions comparison of the ZS30 against the WG-1.

Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax WG-1 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the ZS30 and WG-1 is 92 and 93 respectively.

Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax WG-1 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax WG-1 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is difficult to visualise the difference in sensor measurements purely by seeing specs. The photograph below will help provide you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the ZS30 and WG-1.

All in all, both of these cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but not the same resolution. You should expect to see the Panasonic ZS30 to provide greater detail utilizing its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will allow you to crop pics more aggressively. The younger ZS30 is going to have a benefit when it comes to sensor tech.

Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax WG-1 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax WG-1 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax WG-1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS30 Portrait photography information
Pentax WG-1 Portrait photography information
33
megapixel count decent (18MP)
manual focus not available
no external flash support
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
35
you can focus manually
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
manual exposure not available
can't use external flash
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS30 Street photography info
Pentax WG-1 Street photography info
66
image stabilization (Optical)
offers touch focus
lighter than competition (198g)
fixed screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
54
environment proofing
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic ZS30
Sports photography with Pentax WG-1
46
long zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (18 megapixels)
features tracking autofocus
maximum shutter speed is a little low (1/1,200s)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
low battery pack (260 CIPA)
does not have phase detect autofocus
37
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
includes tracking focus
environment proofing
continuous shooting slow (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS30 Travel photography highlights
Pentax WG-1 Travel photography highlights
69
lighter than competition (198 grams)
offers touch focus
megapixel count decent (18 megapixels)
built-in flash
pretty wide (24mm)
very long zoom (480mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
low battery pack (260 CIPA)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
71
environment proofing
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (28mm)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS30 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax WG-1 as a Landscape photography camera
44
pretty wide (24mm)
screen is a decent size (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (18 megapixels)
manual focus not available
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
low battery pack (260 shots)
does not have Time Lapse mode
42
you can focus manually
reasonably wide (28mm)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
environment proofing
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
small screen (2.7 inch)
manual exposure not available
no image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS30 Vlogging info
Pentax WG-1 Vlogging info
35
pretty wide (24mm)
touchscreen
image stabilization (Optical)
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition (198 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
does not have external mic jack
25
reasonably wide (28mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing microphone port
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Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax WG-1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS30 and Pentax WG-1
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30Pentax Optio WG-1
General Information
Company Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30 Pentax Optio WG-1
Also Known as Lumix DMC-TZ40 -
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Waterproof
Launched 2013-01-07 2011-02-07
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 surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 18MP 14MP
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 4288 x 3216
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 23 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-480mm (20.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Highest 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 diagonal 3" 2.7"
Resolution of screen 920k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen tech - TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15 secs 4 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/1200 secs 1/1500 secs
Continuous shutter speed 10.0 frames per second 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set 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
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB 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 data format MPEG-4, AVCHD Motion JPEG
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
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 lbs) 157 gr (0.35 lbs)
Physical 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 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 images 260 images
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Launch cost $250 $350