Pentax K-3 vs Panasonic TS30

Cameras
Compare Cameras
Pentax K-3 vs Panasonic TS30

APS-C 366.6mm²
24.4 megapixels
ISO 100 - 51,200

Go in depth with our full Pentax K-3 Review.
How does it shoot? Pentax K-3 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the K-3.
Compare Pentax K-3 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Pentax K-3 conclusion.

1/2.33 inch 28.2mm²
16.1 megapixels
25.00mm - 100.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Panasonic TS30 Review.

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Differences

Pentax K-3 advantages over Panasonic TS30

Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Larger sensor
APS-C vs 1/2.33 inch
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Eye-level viewfinder
Eye-level vs Rear display only
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
Bigger pixels
~ 3.91 vs 1.33 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
RAW file ability
Yes vs No
Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

560 vs 250 shots
Capture more photos
Manual focus
Yes vs No
AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
Top deck display
Yes vs No
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
HDMI out
HDMI out vs None
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Shoots 24p video
Yes vs No
Gives your movies a big-screen feel
More dots on screen
1037k vs 230k dots
Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
Hot shoe
Hot shoe vs None
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Shoots 1080p video
Yes vs No
You'll want this if you shoot video
More pixels
24.4 vs 16.1 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Shoots 60p video
Yes vs No
A faster framerate can give you more editing options
Dual card slots
Yes vs No
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Yes vs No
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Optional anti-aliasing filter
Optional vs Fixed
Lets you choose sharper photos or reduced moiré
Bulb shutter
Bulb vs No bulb
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
Faster JPEG shooting
7.1 fps vs 1.3 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster shutter
1/8000 vs 1/1300 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light
Higher extended ISO
51200 vs 6400 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Panasonic TS30 advantages over Pentax K-3

Waterproof
Yes vs No
Take photos underwater without destroying your camera!
In-camera panoramas
Yes vs No
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Thinner
19 mm vs 77 mm
Thinner
Longer exposure
60 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Bigger JPEG buffer
Unlimited vs 75 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Similarities

Common Strengths

Rear display
Both provide
Review photos on the back of the camera
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Both provide
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Internal flash
Both provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash

Common Weaknesses

Tilt-swivel screen
Neither provide
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Touchscreen
Neither provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Tiltable Screen
Neither provide
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
Built-in Wi-Fi
Neither provide
Share your photos wirelessly
NFC
Neither provide
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Built-in Bluetooth
Neither provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
On-sensor phase detect
Neither provide
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Integrated ND filter
Neither provide
Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read K-3 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read TS30 User Reviews

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Buy the Pentax K-3

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 18-135mm Lens

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Buy the Panasonic TS30

Panasonic TS30 (Blue)

Panasonic TS30 (Blue)
Panasonic TS30 (Black)
Panasonic TS30 (Red)

Review Excerpt

Top-notch image quality; Great ergonomics in a compact body; Unique on-demand low-pass filtering; Broad sensitivity range; Large and bright viewfinder for an APS-C camera; Dual card slots; Optional Wi-Fi remote control
AE Lock button is poorly located; Below-average battery life for a DSLR; Rather dated-looking menu system; Requires a different battery grip accessory than its predecessors; Less third-party support than some rivals
Read our Pentax K-3 Review

We haven’t reviewed the Panasonic TS30.
Read our Panasonic TS30 Preview

The Competition

Compared to Panasonic TS20

Pentax K-3

Panasonic TS20

$699
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$119
1/2.33 inch

Less expensive
Waterproof

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Panasonic TS20

Panasonic TS30

Panasonic TS20

$168
1/2.33 inch

In-camera panoramas
Longer exposure

$119
1/2.33 inch

Compare Panasonic TS30 vs Panasonic TS20

Compared to Olympus TG-630

Pentax K-3

Olympus TG-630

$699
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$199
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
Waterproof

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Olympus TG-630

Panasonic TS30

Olympus TG-630

$168
1/2.33 inch

In-camera panoramas
More pixels

$199
1/2.3 inch

Bigger pixels
More telephoto lens reach

Compare Panasonic TS30 vs Olympus TG-630

Compared to Nikon D7100

Pentax K-3

Nikon D7100

$699
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$810
APS-C

Fast startup
Longer stills battery life

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Nikon D7100

Panasonic TS30

Nikon D7100

$168
1/2.33 inch

Less expensive
Waterproof

$810
APS-C

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Panasonic TS30 vs Nikon D7100

Compared to Nikon D5300

Pentax K-3

Nikon D5300

$699
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$549
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Fast startup

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Nikon D5300

Panasonic TS30

Nikon D5300

$168
1/2.33 inch

Less expensive
Waterproof

$549
APS-C

Larger sensor
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Panasonic TS30 vs Nikon D5300

Compared to Nikon D7200

Pentax K-3

Nikon D7200

$699
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$1043
APS-C

Fast startup
Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Nikon D7200

Panasonic TS30

Nikon D7200

$168
1/2.33 inch

Less expensive
Waterproof

$1043
APS-C

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Panasonic TS30 vs Nikon D7200

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