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Pentax K-30 vs Samsung GX-1S

Portability
63
Imaging
58
Features
66
Overall
61
Pentax K-30 front
 
Samsung GX-1S front
Portability
68
Imaging
45
Features
36
Overall
41

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

Pentax K-30
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Expand 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
  • Refreshed by Pentax K-50
Samsung GX-1S
(Full Review)
  • 6MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 3200
  • No Video
  • Pentax KAF Mount
  • 605g - 125 x 93 x 66mm
  • Revealed January 2006
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Pentax K-30 vs Samsung GX-1S Overview

On this page, we are analyzing the Pentax K-30 versus Samsung GX-1S, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras by rivals Pentax and Samsung. There exists a noticeable gap between the resolutions of the K-30 (16MP) and GX-1S (6MP) but both cameras provide the same sensor size (APS-C).

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The K-30 was unveiled 6 years after the GX-1S which is quite a sizable difference as far as technology is concerned. The two cameras have the same body design (Mid-size SLR).

Before going into a full comparison, here is a brief overview of how the K-30 matches up versus the GX-1S in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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

 K-30 GX-1S 
RevealedOctober 2012January 2006More modern by 83 months
Display dimensions3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution921k210kClearer display (+711k dot)

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

 GX-1S K-30 

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

 K-30 GX-1S 
Manually focus More precise focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch friendly display Lacking Touch friendly display

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

In case you're looking to carry around your camera often, you will need to think about its weight and dimensions. The Pentax K-30 has got external dimensions of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") along with a weight of 650 grams (1.43 lbs) while the Samsung GX-1S has dimensions of 125mm x 93mm x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6") accompanied by a weight of 605 grams (1.33 lbs).

Compare the Pentax K-30 versus Samsung GX-1S in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you have at that time. Here is a front view size comparison of the K-30 versus the GX-1S.

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

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the K-30 and GX-1S is 63 and 68 respectively.

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

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

Typically, it is hard to imagine the contrast between sensor sizes purely by looking at specs. The pic here should give you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the K-30 and GX-1S.

As you can plainly see, both of the cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but different resolution. You can anticipate the Pentax K-30 to resolve extra detail having an extra 10 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also make it easier to crop pics more aggressively. The younger K-30 provides an advantage in sensor technology.

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

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

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

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-30 Portrait photography advice
Samsung GX-1S Portrait photography advice
74
focusing manually
good resolution (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
includes face detect focusing
saves RAW files
51
has manual focus
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
does not have liveview
low megapixels (6 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Pentax K-30
Street photography with Samsung GX-1S
68
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
weather proofing
screen does not articulate
60
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
lighter than competition in class (605g)
no moving screen
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Pentax K-30
Sports photography with Samsung GX-1S
67
high shutter speed (1/6,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
includes tracking focus
weather proofing
sensor has phase detect AF
painfully slow continuous shooting (6.0 frames/s)
terrible battery (410 shots)
39
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports phase detect autofocus
does not have liveview
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
no image stabilization
low megapixels (6MP)
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-30 as a Travel photography camera
Samsung GX-1S as a Travel photography camera
60
weather proofing
good resolution (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
terrible battery (410 CIPA)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
52
lighter than competition in class (605g)
has built in flash
no Time Lapse function
low megapixels (6MP)
does not contain selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-30 Landscape photography highlights
Samsung GX-1S Landscape photography highlights
73
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
nice screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
weather proofing
terrible battery (410 shots)
47
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF mount)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
screen is somewhat small (2.5 inch)
does not have liveview
no image stabilization
low megapixels (6 megapixels)
no Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-30 Vlogging highlights
Samsung GX-1S Vlogging highlights
30
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detect focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
does not have microphone socket
9
no video recording
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Pentax K-30 vs Samsung GX-1S Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-30 and Samsung GX-1S
 Pentax K-30Samsung GX-1S
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Samsung
Model type Pentax K-30 Samsung GX-1S
Type Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Introduced 2012-10-29 2006-01-16
Body design 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 16 megapixels 6 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Max resolution 4928 x 3264 3008 x 2008
Max native ISO 12800 3200
Max enhanced ISO 25600 -
Lowest native ISO 100 200
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 11 11
Cross type focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mount type Pentax KAF2 Pentax KAF
Amount of lenses 151 151
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inches 2.5 inches
Resolution of display 921k dot 210k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display technology TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.61x 0.64x
Features
Min shutter speed 30s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/6000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter speed 6.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 12.00 m (at ISO 100) -
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye,Slow Sync, Slow Sync+ Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless Auto, On, Off, Red-eye reduction
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash sync 1/180s 1/180s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
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 file format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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 seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 650 grams (1.43 pounds) 605 grams (1.33 pounds)
Physical 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 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 shots -
Battery form Battery Pack -
Battery ID D-LI109,4 x AA 4 x AA
Self timer Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/MMC card
Storage slots One One
Pricing at release $525 $850