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Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax ist DL2

Portability
92
Imaging
42
Features
48
Overall
44
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30 front
 
Pentax ist DL2 front
Portability
69
Imaging
44
Features
33
Overall
39

Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax ist DL2 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
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-TZ40
  • Old Model is Panasonic ZS25
  • Replacement is Panasonic ZS35
Pentax ist DL2
(Full Review)
  • 6MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 3200
  • Pentax KAF Mount
  • 565g - 125 x 93 x 66mm
  • Announced January 2006
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Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax ist DL2 Overview

Here is a in depth assessment of the Panasonic ZS30 versus Pentax ist DL2, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Advanced DSLR by rivals Panasonic and Pentax. There is a crucial difference between the resolutions of the ZS30 (18MP) and ist DL2 (6MP) and the ZS30 (1/2.3") and ist DL2 (APS-C) possess totally different sensor sizing.

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The ZS30 was unveiled 7 years later than the ist DL2 and that is quite a serious gap as far as tech is concerned. Both of the cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic ZS30 being a Compact camera and the Pentax ist DL2 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before diving in to a complete comparison, below is a concise summation of how the ZS30 grades versus the ist DL2 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS30 over the Pentax ist DL2

 ZS30 ist DL2 
AnnouncedJanuary 2013January 2006Fresher by 85 months
Screen dimension3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution920k210kSharper screen (+710k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax ist DL2 over the Panasonic ZS30

 ist DL2 ZS30 
Manually focus Dial exact focus

Common features in the Panasonic ZS30 and Pentax ist DL2

 ZS30 ist DL2 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen

Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax ist DL2 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is planning to carry your camera regularly, you should take into account its weight and measurements. The Panasonic ZS30 enjoys outer dimensions of 105mm x 59mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") having a weight of 198 grams (0.44 lbs) and the Pentax ist DL2 has proportions of 125mm x 93mm x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6") having a weight of 565 grams (1.25 lbs).

Examine the Panasonic ZS30 versus Pentax ist DL2 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are employing at the time. The following is the front view overall size comparison of the ZS30 compared to the ist DL2.

Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax ist DL2 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the ZS30 and ist DL2 is 92 and 69 respectively.

Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax ist DL2 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax ist DL2 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it's difficult to see the contrast between sensor sizing just by checking a spec sheet. The graphic below might give you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the ZS30 and ist DL2.

Clearly, each of the cameras posses different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The ZS30 having a tinier sensor will make achieving shallower DOF tougher and the Panasonic ZS30 will give greater detail having an extra 12MP. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop shots somewhat more aggressively. The more recent ZS30 will have an edge in sensor innovation.

Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax ist DL2 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax ist DL2 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax ist DL2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic ZS30
Portrait photography with Pentax ist DL2
33
decent sensor resolution (18MP)
manual focus not available
no external flash support
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
50
manual focus
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW files
doesn't have liveview
sensor resolution low (6MP)
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS30 Street photography information
Pentax ist DL2 Street photography information
66
has image stabilization (Optical)
features focus via touch
lighter than competition (198g)
no articulating screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
60
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW files
lighter than others (565g)
no articulating screen
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic ZS30
Sports photography with Pentax ist DL2
46
excellent zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (18MP)
includes tracking focus
low max shutter speed (1/1,200s)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
bad battery pack (260 per charge)
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
38
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports phase detect autofocus
doesn't have liveview
max frames per second very slow (3.0 frames/s)
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution low (6 megapixels)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS30 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax ist DL2 as a Travel photography camera
69
lighter than competition (198g)
features focus via touch
decent sensor resolution (18 megapixels)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (24mm)
very long reach (480mm)
lack of Timelapse mode
bad battery pack (260 per charge)
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
52
lighter than others (565 grams)
built-in flash
no Timelapse recording
sensor resolution low (6MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS30 Landscape photography info
Pentax ist DL2 Landscape photography info
44
reasonably wide (24mm)
screen is a decent size (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (18 megapixels)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
bad battery pack (260 CIPA)
lack of Timelapse mode
46
manual focus
change lenses (Pentax KAF mount)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW files
small screen (2.5")
doesn't have liveview
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution low (6MP)
no Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS30 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax ist DL2 as a Vlogging camera
35
reasonably wide (24mm)
screen is touchscreen
has image stabilization (Optical)
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition (198 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of microphone port
22
lighter than others (565g)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
video resolution low ( pxls)
no external microphone support
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Panasonic ZS30 vs Pentax ist DL2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS30 and Pentax ist DL2
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30Pentax ist DL2
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30 Pentax ist DL2
Also called as Lumix DMC-TZ40 -
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Advanced DSLR
Introduced 2013-01-07 2006-01-27
Physical type Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 18 megapixel 6 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Peak resolution 4896 x 3672 3008 x 2008
Highest native ISO 6400 3200
Minimum native ISO 100 200
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 23 5
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Pentax KAF
Lens focal range 24-480mm (20.0x) -
Highest aperture f/3.3-6.4 -
Macro focus distance 3cm -
Number of lenses - 151
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inches 2.5 inches
Screen resolution 920k dots 210k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical
Viewfinder coverage - 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.57x
Features
Min shutter speed 15 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/1200 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 10.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 6.40 m -
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-eye reduction
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (220 fps) -
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 -
Video format MPEG-4, AVCHD -
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In No
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 1.0 (1.5 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 198g (0.44 lb) 565g (1.25 lb)
Dimensions 105 x 59 x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") 125 x 93 x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 65
DXO Color Depth score not tested 22.9
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 11.1
DXO Low light score not tested 639
Other
Battery life 260 images -
Battery style Battery Pack -
Battery model - 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/MMC card
Card slots One One
Pricing at release $250 -