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Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax WS80

Portability
92
Imaging
42
Features
48
Overall
44
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30 front
 
Pentax Optio WS80 front
Portability
95
Imaging
33
Features
20
Overall
27

Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax WS80 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
  • Launched January 2013
  • Additionally referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ40
  • Previous Model is Panasonic ZS25
  • Newer Model is Panasonic ZS35
Pentax WS80
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 64 - 6400
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 35-175mm (F3.8-4.7) lens
  • 125g - 92 x 60 x 22mm
  • Launched August 2009
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Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax WS80 Overview

Let's look more in depth at the Panasonic ZS30 and Pentax WS80, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Waterproof by companies Panasonic and Pentax. There is a huge difference among the image resolutions of the ZS30 (18MP) and WS80 (10MP) but both cameras have the same sensor size (1/2.3").

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The ZS30 was manufactured 3 years after the WS80 which is a fairly significant gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of these cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before going straight to a thorough comparison, here is a short synopsis of how the ZS30 scores versus the WS80 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS30 over the Pentax WS80

 ZS30 WS80 
LaunchedJanuary 2013August 2009More modern by 42 months
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution920k230kClearer display (+690k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax WS80 over the Panasonic ZS30

 WS80 ZS30 
Manually focus More accurate focusing

Common features in the Panasonic ZS30 and Pentax WS80

 ZS30 WS80 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen

Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax WS80 Physical Comparison

For those who are intending to carry around your camera often, you are going to need to factor in its weight and measurements. The Panasonic ZS30 has outside measurements of 105mm x 59mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") along with a weight of 198 grams (0.44 lbs) and the Pentax WS80 has proportions of 92mm x 60mm x 22mm (3.6" x 2.4" x 0.9") and a weight of 125 grams (0.28 lbs).

Examine the Panasonic ZS30 and Pentax WS80 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you use during that time. Below is a front view proportions comparison of the ZS30 vs the WS80.

Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax WS80 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the ZS30 and WS80 is 92 and 95 respectively.

Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax WS80 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax WS80 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is difficult to envision the difference in sensor sizes just by researching specs. The pic below might offer you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the ZS30 and WS80.

All in all, both of those cameras have the same sensor dimensions but not the same MP. You should anticipate the Panasonic ZS30 to render extra detail due to its extra 8MP. Greater resolution will also make it easier to crop photos a bit more aggressively. The newer ZS30 is going to have a benefit in sensor technology.

Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax WS80 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax WS80 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax WS80 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS30 Portrait photography information
Pentax WS80 Portrait photography information
33
decent megapixels (18 megapixels)
no manual focus
can't use external flash
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
26
focusing manually
manual exposure not available
cannot use external flash
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic ZS30
Street photography with Pentax WS80
66
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports focus via touch
lighter than competition (198g)
fixed screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
59
weather proof
lighter than competition (125 grams)
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS30 Sports photography details
Pentax WS80 Sports photography details
46
incredible zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (18MP)
provides tracking autofocus
low maximum shutter speed (1/1,200s)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
low battery life (260 per charge)
lacks phase detect auto focus
23
weather proof
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS30 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax WS80 as a Travel photography camera
69
lighter than competition (198 grams)
supports focus via touch
decent megapixels (18MP)
flash built-in
really wide (24mm)
long reach (480mm)
lack of Time Lapse function
low battery life (260 shots)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
61
lighter than competition (125 grams)
weather proof
has built in flash
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not great (35mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS30 Landscape photography advice
Pentax WS80 Landscape photography advice
44
really wide (24mm)
screen is a decent size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (18MP)
no manual focus
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
low battery life (260 per charge)
lack of Time Lapse function
31
focusing manually
weather proof
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (35mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.8)
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
manual exposure not available
lack of image stabilization
low megapixels (10MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS30 Vlogging factors
Pentax WS80 Vlogging factors
35
really wide (24mm)
built-in touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition (198 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
lack of external mic support
25
lighter than competition (125 grams)
wide angle not great (35mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.8)
display isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have mic socket
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Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax WS80 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS30 and Pentax WS80
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30Pentax Optio WS80
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30 Pentax Optio WS80
Also Known as Lumix DMC-TZ40 -
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Waterproof
Launched 2013-01-07 2009-08-05
Physical type 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 18MP 10MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Max resolution 4896 x 3672 3648 x 2736
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 64
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 23 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-480mm (20.0x) 35-175mm (5.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.3-6.4 f/3.8-4.7
Macro focus distance 3cm -
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inches 2.7 inches
Display resolution 920k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 15 seconds 4 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/1200 seconds 1/1500 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 10.0 frames per second 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 6.40 m 3.40 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
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 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file 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
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 198g (0.44 lbs) 125g (0.28 lbs)
Physical dimensions 105 x 59 x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") 92 x 60 x 22mm (3.6" x 2.4" x 0.9")
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 shots -
Form of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model - D-LI68
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC card, Internal
Card slots One One
Retail pricing $250 $220