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Pentax K-30 vs Samsung GX-1L

Portability
63
Imaging
57
Features
66
Overall
60
Pentax K-30 front
 
Samsung GX-1L front
Portability
69
Imaging
44
Features
36
Overall
40

Pentax K-30 vs Samsung GX-1L Key Specs

Pentax K-30
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Push to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 650g - 130 x 97 x 71mm
  • Launched October 2012
  • Replacement is Pentax K-50
Samsung GX-1L
(Full Review)
  • 6MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 3200
  • No Video
  • Pentax KAF Mount
  • 570g - 125 x 93 x 66mm
  • Announced February 2006
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Pentax K-30 vs Samsung GX-1L Overview

Below is a comprehensive overview of the Pentax K-30 vs Samsung GX-1L, both Advanced DSLR cameras by manufacturers Pentax and Samsung. There exists a noticeable gap among the image resolutions of the K-30 (16MP) and GX-1L (6MP) but they enjoy the exact same sensor size (APS-C).

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The K-30 was brought out 6 years later than the GX-1L and that is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of the cameras come with the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).

Before going straight into a more detailed comparison, below is a quick summation of how the K-30 grades vs the GX-1L with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Pentax K-30 over the Samsung GX-1L

 K-30 GX-1L 
AnnouncedOctober 2012February 2006More recent by 82 months
Display dimension3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution921k210kSharper display (+711k dot)

Reasons to pick Samsung GX-1L over the Pentax K-30

 GX-1L K-30 

Common features in the Pentax K-30 and Samsung GX-1L

 K-30 GX-1L 
Focus manually More accurate focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither contains Touch friendly display

Pentax K-30 vs Samsung GX-1L Physical Comparison

For anyone who is going to lug around your camera often, you are going to need to consider its weight and volume. The Pentax K-30 has got outside measurements of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") having a weight of 650 grams (1.43 lbs) whilst the Samsung GX-1L has sizing of 125mm x 93mm x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6") accompanied by a weight of 570 grams (1.26 lbs).

See the Pentax K-30 vs Samsung GX-1L in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are employing at that time. Following is the front view dimension comparison of the K-30 and the GX-1L.

Pentax K-30 vs Samsung GX-1L size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the K-30 and GX-1L is 63 and 69 respectively.

Pentax K-30 vs Samsung GX-1L top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-30 vs Samsung GX-1L Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is hard to picture the gap in sensor measurements purely by checking out specs. The visual below may provide you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the K-30 and GX-1L.

All in all, each of these cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements but different MP. You can expect to see the Pentax K-30 to show extra detail having its extra 10MP. Greater resolution will let you crop photos much more aggressively. The more recent K-30 provides a benefit with regard to sensor tech.

Pentax K-30 vs Samsung GX-1L sensor size comparison

Pentax K-30 vs Samsung GX-1L Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-30 vs Samsung GX-1L Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-30 as a Portrait photography camera
Samsung GX-1L as a Portrait photography camera
74
focusing manually
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
comes with face detection focusing
delivers RAW files
50
has manual focus
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
does not have liveview
sensor resolution low (6MP)
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-30 Street photography information
Samsung GX-1L Street photography information
68
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
environment sealing
screen is fixed
60
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
lighter than average (570 grams)
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-30 Sports photography factors
Samsung GX-1L Sports photography factors
67
high shutter speed (1/6,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
comes with tracking autofocus
environment sealing
comes with phase detect AF
continuous shooting slow (6.0 frames per second)
bad battery life (410 CIPA)
38
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
has phase detect auto focus
does not have liveview
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution low (6 megapixels)
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-30 Travel photography information
Samsung GX-1L Travel photography information
60
environment sealing
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
bad battery life (410 CIPA)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
52
lighter than average (570g)
built-in flash
does not have Time Lapse recording
sensor resolution low (6MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-30 Landscape photography highlights
Samsung GX-1L Landscape photography highlights
73
focusing manually
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
environment sealing
bad battery life (410 per charge)
46
has manual focus
switch lenses (Pentax KAF mount)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
screen is somewhat small (2.5 inches)
does not have liveview
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution low (6MP)
does not have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-30 as a Vlogging camera
Samsung GX-1L as a Vlogging camera
30
image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detection focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
no external mic jack
9
lack of video recording
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Pentax K-30 vs Samsung GX-1L Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-30 and Samsung GX-1L
 Pentax K-30Samsung GX-1L
General Information
Brand Name Pentax Samsung
Model Pentax K-30 Samsung GX-1L
Category Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Launched 2012-10-29 2006-02-24
Physical type Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Chip Prime M -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.7 x 15.7mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 372.1mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 6MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Max resolution 4928 x 3264 3008 x 2008
Max native ISO 12800 3200
Max enhanced ISO 25600 -
Minimum native ISO 100 200
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 11 5
Cross focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mounting type Pentax KAF2 Pentax KAF
Amount of lenses 151 151
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inch 2.5 inch
Resolution of display 921k dots 210k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display technology TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 96 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.61x 0.57x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/6000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 6.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 7.50 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye,Slow Sync, Slow Sync+ Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless Auto, On, Off, Red-eye reduction
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/180 secs 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) -
Max video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 1.0 (1.5 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 650g (1.43 lbs) 570g (1.26 lbs)
Dimensions 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") 125 x 93 x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 79 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 23.7 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 13.0 not tested
DXO Low light score 1129 not tested
Other
Battery life 410 shots -
Form of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model D-LI109,4 x AA 4 x AA
Self timer Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/MMC card
Card slots 1 1
Retail pricing $525 $0