Panasonic ZS40 vs Pentax K-30
90 Imaging
43 Features
58 Overall
49


63 Imaging
57 Features
66 Overall
60
Panasonic ZS40 vs Pentax K-30 Key Specs
(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
(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

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.

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.

Panasonic ZS40 vs Pentax K-30 Gallery
This is a preview of the gallery images for Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40 and Pentax K-30. The complete galleries are provided at Panasonic ZS40 Gallery and Pentax K-30 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS40 over the Pentax K-30
ZS40 | K-30 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | January 2014 | ![]() | October 2012 | More modern by 15 months |
Reasons to pick Pentax K-30 over the Panasonic ZS40
K-30 | ZS40 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen resolution | 921k | ![]() | 920k | Clearer screen (+1k dot) |
Common features in the Panasonic ZS40 and Pentax K-30
ZS40 | K-30 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | More precise focusing | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen size | 3" | ![]() | 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.
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.

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 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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS40 vs Pentax K-30 Specifications
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40 | Pentax 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 |