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Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax Q

Portability
92
Imaging
42
Features
48
Overall
44
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30 front
 
Pentax Q front
Portability
93
Imaging
35
Features
47
Overall
39

Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax Q 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
  • Introduced January 2013
  • Also Known as Lumix DMC-TZ40
  • Earlier Model is Panasonic ZS25
  • Later Model is Panasonic ZS35
Pentax Q
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax Q Mount
  • 180g - 98 x 57 x 31mm
  • Introduced June 2011
  • New Model is Pentax Q10
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Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax Q Overview

The following is a thorough assessment of the Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax Q, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by brands Panasonic and Pentax. There is a sizable difference between the image resolutions of the ZS30 (18MP) and Q (12MP) but they possess the same exact sensor size (1/2.3").

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The ZS30 was manufactured 19 months after the Q making the cameras a generation away from each other. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic ZS30 being a Compact camera and the Pentax Q being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving straight into a step-by-step comparison, below is a brief summary of how the ZS30 grades vs the Q in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS30 over the Pentax Q

 ZS30 Q 
IntroducedJanuary 2013June 2011Newer by 19 months
Display resolution920k460kSharper display (+460k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax Q over the Panasonic ZS30

 Q ZS30 
Manually focus Dial exact focusing

Common features in the Panasonic ZS30 and Pentax Q

 ZS30 Q 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display size
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen

Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax Q Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to travel with your camera often, you'll need to factor its weight and measurements. The Panasonic ZS30 has external dimensions of 105mm x 59mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") along with a weight of 198 grams (0.44 lbs) whilst the Pentax Q has proportions of 98mm x 57mm x 31mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2") having a weight of 180 grams (0.40 lbs).

Compare the Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax Q in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you have chosen at that time. Below is the front view measurements comparison of the ZS30 vs the Q.

Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax Q size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the ZS30 and Q is 92 and 93 respectively.

Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax Q top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax Q Sensor Comparison

Usually, its difficult to envision the contrast between sensor dimensions merely by checking technical specs. The picture here will provide you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the ZS30 and Q.

As you can tell, both of the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but not the same resolution. You can expect to see the Panasonic ZS30 to give you extra detail due to its extra 6 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop pics far more aggressively. The younger ZS30 is going to have an advantage in sensor innovation.

Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax Q sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax Q Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS30 Portrait photography information
Pentax Q Portrait photography information
33
sensor resolution is decent (18 megapixels)
no manual focus
cannot use external flash
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
45
manual focus
flash sync is higher than normal (1/2,000 seconds)
saves RAW formats
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS30 Street photography information
Pentax Q Street photography information
66
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports focus by touch
lighter than others (198 grams)
no articulating screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
69
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
saves RAW formats
lighter than competition (180 grams)
screen does not articulate
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS30 Sports photography advice
Pentax Q Sports photography advice
46
amazing zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (18 megapixels)
features tracking focus
low max shutter speed (1/1,200 seconds)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
terrible battery pack (260 per charge)
lacks phase detect auto focus
31
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports tracking focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
low resolution sensor (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
terrible battery (230 per charge)
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS30 Travel photography features
Pentax Q Travel photography features
69
lighter than others (198 grams)
supports focus by touch
sensor resolution is decent (18 megapixels)
built-in flash
rather wide (24mm)
very long reach (480mm)
lack of Time Lapse recording
terrible battery pack (260 shots)
screen is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.3)
57
lighter than competition (180 grams)
built-in flash
does not have Time Lapse recording
terrible battery (230 per charge)
low resolution sensor (12MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic ZS30
Landscape photography with Pentax Q
44
rather wide (24mm)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (18 megapixels)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
terrible battery pack (260 per charge)
lack of Time Lapse recording
51
manual focus
change lenses (Pentax Q mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
saves RAW formats
low resolution sensor (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
terrible battery (230 CIPA)
does not have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic ZS30
Vlogging with Pentax Q
35
rather wide (24mm)
built-in touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than others (198 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of mic support
34
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition (180g)
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have mic port
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Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax Q Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS30 and Pentax Q
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30Pentax Q
General Information
Make Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30 Pentax Q
Also referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ40 -
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level Mirrorless
Introduced 2013-01-07 2011-06-23
Body design Compact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
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 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4896 x 3672 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 125
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 23 25
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Pentax Q
Lens zoom range 24-480mm (20.0x) -
Maximal aperture f/3.3-6.4 -
Macro focusing distance 3cm -
Total lenses - 8
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 920k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen technology - TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/1200 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 10.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 6.40 m 5.60 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Trailing-curtain sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync - 1/2000 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
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) 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720p (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, AVCHD MPEG-4, H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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 seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 198 gr (0.44 lb) 180 gr (0.40 lb)
Dimensions 105 x 59 x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") 98 x 57 x 31mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 47
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 20.2
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 11.1
DXO Low light rating not tested 189
Other
Battery life 260 pictures 230 pictures
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI68
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots Single Single
Launch cost $250 $695