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Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax WG-1 GPS

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

Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax WG-1 GPS Key Specs

Panasonic ZS30
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • 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
  • Other Name is Lumix DMC-TZ40
  • Replaced the Panasonic ZS25
  • Newer Model is Panasonic ZS35
Pentax WG-1 GPS
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 167g - 116 x 59 x 29mm
  • Announced August 2011
Photography Glossary

Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax WG-1 GPS Overview

The following is a extensive overview of the Panasonic ZS30 and Pentax WG-1 GPS, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Waterproof by competitors Panasonic and Pentax. There exists a large gap between the sensor resolutions of the ZS30 (18MP) and WG-1 GPS (14MP) but both cameras offer the same sensor size (1/2.3").

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The ZS30 was manufactured 17 months after the WG-1 GPS which makes them a generation away from one another. Both the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before diving into a thorough comparison, here is a quick overview of how the ZS30 grades versus the WG-1 GPS with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS30 over the Pentax WG-1 GPS

 ZS30 WG-1 GPS 
AnnouncedJanuary 2013August 2011Newer by 17 months
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution920k230kCrisper screen (+690k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax WG-1 GPS over the Panasonic ZS30

 WG-1 GPS ZS30 
Manually focus Very exact focusing

Common features in the Panasonic ZS30 and Pentax WG-1 GPS

 ZS30 WG-1 GPS 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen

Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax WG-1 GPS Physical Comparison

For those who are going to travel with your camera often, you'll have to take into account its weight and proportions. The Panasonic ZS30 offers outside dimensions of 105mm x 59mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 198 grams (0.44 lbs) and the Pentax WG-1 GPS has measurements of 116mm x 59mm x 29mm (4.6" x 2.3" x 1.1") with a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Compare the Panasonic ZS30 and Pentax WG-1 GPS in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are employing at that time. Underneath is a front view dimension comparison of the ZS30 versus the WG-1 GPS.

Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax WG-1 GPS size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the ZS30 and WG-1 GPS is 92 and 93 respectively.

Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax WG-1 GPS top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax WG-1 GPS Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is hard to imagine the contrast between sensor dimensions purely by reviewing specifications. The pic here may provide you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the ZS30 and WG-1 GPS.

Plainly, the two cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit different megapixels. You can count on the Panasonic ZS30 to deliver greater detail due to its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will also let you crop shots more aggressively. The fresher ZS30 should have an advantage when it comes to sensor technology.

Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax WG-1 GPS sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax WG-1 GPS Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic ZS30
Portrait photography with Pentax WG-1 GPS
33
decent megapixels (18MP)
no manual focus
cannot use external flash
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
35
you can focus manually
MP count good (14MP)
manual exposure not possible
no external flash support
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic ZS30
Street photography with Pentax WG-1 GPS
66
has image stabilization (Optical)
provides touch to focus
lighter than competition (198 grams)
screen is fixed
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
54
weather proofing
screen is fixed
no image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic ZS30
Sports photography with Pentax WG-1 GPS
46
long zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (18MP)
includes tracking autofocus
low max shutter speed (1/1,200s)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
not so great battery life (260 CIPA)
has no phase detect auto focus
37
MP count good (14 megapixels)
features tracking autofocus
weather proofing
slow fps (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS30 Travel photography information
Pentax WG-1 GPS Travel photography information
69
lighter than competition (198g)
provides touch to focus
decent megapixels (18MP)
flash built-in
pretty wide (24mm)
long zoom (480mm)
missing Time Lapse function
not so great battery life (260 shots)
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
71
weather proofing
MP count good (14MP)
flash built-in
fairly wide (28mm)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS30 Landscape photography info
Pentax WG-1 GPS Landscape photography info
44
pretty wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (18MP)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
not so great battery life (260 per charge)
missing Time Lapse function
42
you can focus manually
fairly wide (28mm)
MP count good (14MP)
weather proofing
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
small screen (2.7")
manual exposure not possible
no image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS30 Vlogging information
Pentax WG-1 GPS Vlogging information
35
pretty wide (24mm)
touch screen
has image stabilization (Optical)
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition (198g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
missing external mic jack
25
fairly wide (28mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
no external mic port
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Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax WG-1 GPS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS30 and Pentax WG-1 GPS
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30Pentax Optio WG-1 GPS
General Information
Brand Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30 Pentax Optio WG-1 GPS
Also called Lumix DMC-TZ40 -
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Waterproof
Revealed 2013-01-07 2011-08-16
Body design 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 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 -
Highest resolution 4896 x 3672 4288 x 3216
Highest native ISO 6400 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 23 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-480mm (20.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Max aperture f/3.3-6.4 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focusing distance 3cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of display 920k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display technology - TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15s 4s
Highest shutter speed 1/1200s 1/1500s
Continuous shooting speed 10.0 frames per second 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 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
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)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4, AVCHD Motion JPEG
Mic 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 BuiltIn
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 198g (0.44 lb) 167g (0.37 lb)
Physical dimensions 105 x 59 x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") 116 x 59 x 29mm (4.6" x 2.3" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 260 pictures 260 pictures
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Pricing at launch $250 $350