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Panasonic ZS40 vs Pentax K-30

Portability
90
Imaging
43
Features
58
Overall
49
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40 front
 
Pentax K-30 front
Portability
63
Imaging
58
Features
66
Overall
61

Panasonic ZS40 vs Pentax K-30 Key Specs

Panasonic ZS40
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200 (Expand to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 240g - 111 x 64 x 34mm
  • Revealed January 2014
  • Also Known as Lumix DMC-TZ60
  • Earlier Model is Panasonic ZS35
  • Successor is Panasonic ZS45
Pentax K-30
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Raise to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 650g - 130 x 97 x 71mm
  • Revealed October 2012
  • Newer Model is Pentax K-50
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Panasonic ZS40 vs Pentax K-30 Overview

Following is a comprehensive comparison of the Panasonic ZS40 versus Pentax K-30, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Advanced DSLR by rivals Panasonic and Pentax. The image resolution of the ZS40 (18MP) and the K-30 (16MP) is pretty well matched but the ZS40 (1/2.3") and K-30 (APS-C) posses different sensor size.

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The ZS40 was launched 15 months after the K-30 which makes them a generation away from each other. Both cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic ZS40 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-30 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before going into a full comparison, here is a short highlight of how the ZS40 matches up against the K-30 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS40 over the Pentax K-30

 ZS40 K-30 
RevealedJanuary 2014October 2012More modern by 15 months

Reasons to pick Pentax K-30 over the Panasonic ZS40

 K-30 ZS40 
Screen resolution921k920kClearer screen (+1k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic ZS40 and Pentax K-30

 ZS40 K-30 
Manual focus More precise focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen size
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch screen Lacking Touch screen

Panasonic ZS40 vs Pentax K-30 Physical Comparison

If you're aiming to carry around your camera, you'll have to think about its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic ZS40 provides exterior dimensions of 111mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 240 grams (0.53 lbs) and the Pentax K-30 has dimensions of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") and a weight of 650 grams (1.43 lbs).

Contrast the Panasonic ZS40 versus Pentax K-30 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are utilizing during that time. The following is a front view dimensions comparison of the ZS40 compared to the K-30.

Panasonic ZS40 vs Pentax K-30 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the ZS40 and K-30 is 90 and 63 respectively.

Panasonic ZS40 vs Pentax K-30 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS40 vs Pentax K-30 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is very difficult to picture the difference between sensor sizes purely by checking specifications. The image below will help provide you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the ZS40 and K-30.

Plainly, each of these cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The ZS40 featuring a tinier sensor is going to make getting shallower depth of field tougher and the Panasonic ZS40 will resolve extra detail utilizing its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop pictures way more aggressively. The fresher ZS40 provides an advantage in sensor technology.

Panasonic ZS40 vs Pentax K-30 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS40 vs Pentax K-30 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS40 vs Pentax K-30 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS40 Portrait photography information
Pentax K-30 Portrait photography information
52
manual focus
resolution is good (18 megapixels)
supports face detect focus
supports RAW files
can't use external flash
sensor is small (1/2.3")
74
manual focus
MP count decent (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
has face detect focusing
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS40 Street photography details
Pentax K-30 Street photography details
69
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW files
lighter than competition (240g)
screen does not articulate
sensor is small (1/2.3")
68
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
weather proofing
fixed screen
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS40 Sports photography factors
Pentax K-30 Sports photography factors
54
incredible zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (18MP)
supports tracking focus
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
67
great max shutter speed (1/6,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
has tracking focus
weather proofing
comes with phase detect AF
slow continuous shooting (6.0 frames/s)
terrible battery pack (410 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS40 Travel photography info
Pentax K-30 Travel photography info
69
lighter than competition (240g)
resolution is good (18 megapixels)
flash built-in
relatively wide (24mm)
long zoom (720mm)
lack of Time Lapse recording
does not posses selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
60
weather proofing
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
terrible battery pack (410 shots)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS40 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax K-30 as a Landscape photography camera
56
manual focus
relatively wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (18MP)
supports RAW files
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of Time Lapse recording
73
manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
weather proofing
terrible battery pack (410 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS40 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax K-30 as a Vlogging camera
34
relatively wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition (240g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
does not posses selfie friendly display
lack of mic support
30
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detect focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
screen is not selfie friendly
no mic port
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Panasonic ZS40 vs Pentax K-30 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS40 and Pentax K-30
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40Pentax K-30
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40 Pentax K-30
Also referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ60 -
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Advanced DSLR
Revealed 2014-01-06 2012-10-29
Body design Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Venus Engine Prime M
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 18 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 4896 x 3672 4928 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 3200 12800
Maximum enhanced ISO 6400 25600
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 23 11
Cross type focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens zoom range 24-720mm (30.0x) -
Max aperture f/3.3-6.4 -
Macro focusing range 3cm -
Available lenses - 151
Crop factor 5.8 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 920 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen technology TFT LCD with AR coating TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder resolution 200 thousand dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.61x
Features
Min shutter speed 4s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/2000s 1/6000s
Continuous shutter speed 10.0 frames per second 6.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 6.40 m 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye,Slow Sync, Slow Sync+ Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash sync - 1/180s
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60p/60i/30p), 1280 x 720 (60p/30p), 640 x 480 (30p) 1920 x 1080 (30,25,24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60,50,30,25,24 fps), 640 x 424 (30,25,24 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video 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 Optional
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 240 grams (0.53 pounds) 650 grams (1.43 pounds)
Physical dimensions 111 x 64 x 34mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.3") 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 79
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.7
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 13.0
DXO Low light rating not tested 1129
Other
Battery life 300 pictures 410 pictures
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI109,4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots 1 1
Cost at release $450 $525