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Pentax K-30 vs Pentax RZ10

Portability
63
Imaging
58
Features
66
Overall
61
Pentax K-30 front
 
Pentax Optio RZ10 front
Portability
92
Imaging
37
Features
31
Overall
34

Pentax K-30 vs Pentax RZ10 Key Specs

Pentax K-30
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Increase to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 650g - 130 x 97 x 71mm
  • Introduced October 2012
  • Updated by Pentax K-50
Pentax RZ10
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-280mm (F3.2-5.9) lens
  • 178g - 97 x 61 x 33mm
  • Released July 2011
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Pentax K-30 vs Pentax RZ10 Overview

Lets look much closer at the Pentax K-30 vs Pentax RZ10, former being a Advanced DSLR while the other is a Small Sensor Compact and both of them are produced by Pentax. The image resolution of the K-30 (16MP) and the RZ10 (14MP) is fairly comparable but the K-30 (APS-C) and RZ10 (1/2.3") use different sensor sizes.

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The K-30 was unveiled 16 months later than the RZ10 making the cameras a generation apart from one another. Both of the cameras offer different body type with the Pentax K-30 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Pentax RZ10 being a Compact camera.

Before we go in to a more detailed comparison, below is a quick overview of how the K-30 grades against the RZ10 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-30 over the Pentax RZ10

 K-30 RZ10 
ReleasedOctober 2012July 2011Fresher by 16 months
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution921k230kCrisper display (+691k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax RZ10 over the Pentax K-30

 RZ10 K-30 

Common features in the Pentax K-30 and Pentax RZ10

 K-30 RZ10 
Focus manually Dial exact focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch display Lack of Touch display

Pentax K-30 vs Pentax RZ10 Physical Comparison

For those who are looking to carry your camera often, you'll have to think about its weight and dimensions. The Pentax K-30 features outside dimensions of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") having a weight of 650 grams (1.43 lbs) and the Pentax RZ10 has dimensions of 97mm x 61mm x 33mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.3") with a weight of 178 grams (0.39 lbs).

Check out the Pentax K-30 vs Pentax RZ10 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you have during that time. Following is the front view size comparison of the K-30 compared to the RZ10.

Pentax K-30 vs Pentax RZ10 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the K-30 and RZ10 is 63 and 92 respectively.

Pentax K-30 vs Pentax RZ10 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-30 vs Pentax RZ10 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is tough to picture the difference in sensor sizing simply by seeing technical specs. The photograph underneath will help give you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the K-30 and RZ10.

As you can tell, both of these cameras offer different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The K-30 using its larger sensor is going to make achieving bokeh simpler and the Pentax K-30 will produce extra detail having an extra 2MP. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop photos a little more aggressively. The newer K-30 should have an edge with regard to sensor tech.

Pentax K-30 vs Pentax RZ10 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-30 vs Pentax RZ10 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-30 vs Pentax RZ10 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-30 Portrait photography details
Pentax RZ10 Portrait photography details
74
you can focus manually
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports face detection autofocus
saves RAW formats
35
manual focus
decent megapixels (14MP)
manual exposure not available
can't use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-30 Street photography advice
Pentax RZ10 Street photography advice
68
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
weather proofing
fixed screen
61
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
weather proof
no moving screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Pentax K-30
Sports photography with Pentax RZ10
67
high shutter speed (1/6,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports tracking autofocus
weather proofing
supports phase detect autofocus
painfully slow continuous shooting (6.0 fps)
terrible battery (410 shots)
40
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
offers tracking autofocus
weather proof
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
low battery life (178 per charge)
has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-30 Travel photography highlights
Pentax RZ10 Travel photography highlights
60
weather proofing
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
terrible battery (410 CIPA)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
66
weather proof
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
rather wide (28mm)
very long reach (280mm)
no Time Lapse mode
low battery life (178 shots)
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.2)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-30 Landscape photography advice
Pentax RZ10 Landscape photography advice
73
you can focus manually
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
nice screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
weather proofing
terrible battery (410 shots)
43
manual focus
rather wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
weather proof
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.2)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
manual exposure not available
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
low battery life (178 per charge)
no Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Pentax K-30
Vlogging with Pentax RZ10
30
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detection autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
missing external microphone support
28
rather wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.2)
screen is not selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
no external mic port
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Pentax K-30 vs Pentax RZ10 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-30 and Pentax RZ10
 Pentax K-30Pentax Optio RZ10
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Pentax
Model type Pentax K-30 Pentax Optio RZ10
Class Advanced DSLR Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2012-10-29 2011-07-19
Body design Mid-size SLR Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Prime M -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size APS-C 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 23.7 x 15.7mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 372.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 14MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4928 x 3264 4288 x 3216
Maximum native ISO 12800 6400
Maximum enhanced ISO 25600 -
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 11 9
Cross type focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mount type Pentax KAF2 fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 28-280mm (10.0x)
Max aperture - f/3.2-5.9
Macro focusing distance - 1cm
Number of lenses 151 -
Crop factor 1.5 5.9
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inches 2.7 inches
Screen resolution 921k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen technology TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) None
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.61x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 secs 4 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/6000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 6.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 2.80 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye,Slow Sync, Slow Sync+ Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/180 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30,25,24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60,50,30,25,24 fps), 640 x 424 (30,25,24 fps) 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 650g (1.43 lb) 178g (0.39 lb)
Dimensions 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") 97 x 61 x 33mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 79 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 23.7 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 13.0 not tested
DXO Low light rating 1129 not tested
Other
Battery life 410 photographs 178 photographs
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID D-LI109,4 x AA D-LI92
Self timer Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Price at release $525 $200