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Pentax X-5 vs Samsung HZ30W

Portability
65
Imaging
39
Features
50
Overall
43
Pentax X-5 front
 
Samsung HZ30W front
Portability
91
Imaging
35
Features
40
Overall
37

Pentax X-5 vs Samsung HZ30W Key Specs

Pentax X-5
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 22-580mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 595g - 119 x 86 x 107mm
  • Launched August 2012
Samsung HZ30W
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-360mm (F3.2-5.8) lens
  • 245g - 107 x 61 x 28mm
  • Announced January 2010
  • Additionally referred to as WB600
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Pentax X-5 vs Samsung HZ30W Overview

In this write-up, we are matching up the Pentax X-5 vs Samsung HZ30W, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by brands Pentax and Samsung. There is a sizable difference between the sensor resolutions of the X-5 (16MP) and HZ30W (12MP) but they come with the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The X-5 was brought out 2 years after the HZ30W which is quite a significant difference as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras offer different body type with the Pentax X-5 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Samsung HZ30W being a Compact camera.

Before diving in to a full comparison, below is a simple overview of how the X-5 grades vs the HZ30W in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Pentax X-5 over the Samsung HZ30W

 X-5 HZ30W 
AnnouncedAugust 2012January 2010Newer by 32 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution460k230kClearer display (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Samsung HZ30W over the Pentax X-5

 HZ30W X-5 

Common features in the Pentax X-5 and Samsung HZ30W

 X-5 HZ30W 
Manually focus Very precise focusing
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display measurement
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch friendly display Lacking Touch friendly display

Pentax X-5 vs Samsung HZ30W Physical Comparison

For those who are going to travel with your camera frequently, you are going to need to think about its weight and measurements. The Pentax X-5 has got physical measurements of 119mm x 86mm x 107mm (4.7" x 3.4" x 4.2") and a weight of 595 grams (1.31 lbs) and the Samsung HZ30W has proportions of 107mm x 61mm x 28mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.1") and a weight of 245 grams (0.54 lbs).

Contrast the Pentax X-5 vs Samsung HZ30W in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you have chosen during that time. Following is the front view measurements comparison of the X-5 and the HZ30W.

Pentax X-5 vs Samsung HZ30W size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the X-5 and HZ30W is 65 and 91 respectively.

Pentax X-5 vs Samsung HZ30W top view buttons comparison

Pentax X-5 vs Samsung HZ30W Sensor Comparison

Generally, it's hard to envision the contrast between sensor dimensions purely by going over specs. The picture here will help give you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the X-5 and HZ30W.

As you can plainly see, both cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but not the same megapixels. You can expect to see the Pentax X-5 to offer extra detail having its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop images a little more aggressively. The more modern X-5 will have a benefit in sensor technology.

Pentax X-5 vs Samsung HZ30W sensor size comparison

Pentax X-5 vs Samsung HZ30W Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax X-5 vs Samsung HZ30W Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax X-5 as a Portrait photography camera
Samsung HZ30W as a Portrait photography camera
43
you can focus manually
good resolution (16MP)
has face detection focusing
external flash not possible
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
29
has manual focus
external flash not possible
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Street Comparison

Pentax X-5 as a Street photography camera
Samsung HZ30W as a Street photography camera
50
has a tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
heavier than competitors (595g)
60
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (245g)
no articulating screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Pentax X-5 Sports photography info
Samsung HZ30W Sports photography info
52
great zoom range (22-580mm 26.4 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
has tracking autofocus
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
42
incredible zoom range (24-360mm 15.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
comes with tracking autofocus
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Pentax X-5
Travel photography with Samsung HZ30W
53
good resolution (16MP)
has built in flash
quite wide (22mm)
great reach (580mm)
missing Time Lapse recording
heavier than competitors (595 grams)
does not offer selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
63
lighter than others (245g)
flash built-in
rather wide (24mm)
great zoom (360mm)
lack of Time Lapse function
megapixel count low (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax X-5 Landscape photography factors
Samsung HZ30W Landscape photography factors
47
you can focus manually
quite wide (22mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
missing Time Lapse recording
43
has manual focus
rather wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
lack of Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax X-5 Vlogging info
Samsung HZ30W Vlogging info
26
quite wide (22mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
has face detection focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
does not offer selfie friendly display
missing external mic socket
heavier than competitors (595g)
30
rather wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (245 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of external mic support
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Pentax X-5 vs Samsung HZ30W Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax X-5 and Samsung HZ30W
 Pentax X-5Samsung HZ30W
General Information
Brand Name Pentax Samsung
Model Pentax X-5 Samsung HZ30W
Also Known as - WB600
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2012-08-22 2010-01-19
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 6400 3200
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 22-580mm (26.4x) 24-360mm (15.0x)
Max aperture f/3.1-5.9 f/3.2-5.8
Macro focus range 1cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Tilting Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 460k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 230k dots -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 seconds 16 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/1500 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 10.0 frames per second -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 9.10 m 5.00 m
Flash modes - Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (60, 30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG H.264
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 595g (1.31 lbs) 245g (0.54 lbs)
Dimensions 119 x 86 x 107mm (4.7" x 3.4" x 4.2") 107 x 61 x 28mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 330 images -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model 4 x AA SLB-11A
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Double, Motion)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SC/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Launch cost $230 $280