• 1/2 inch 30.7mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 720.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.4 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 51,200

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Differences

Fujifilm HS30EXR advantages over Pentax K-3

  • Less expensive
    $500 vs $1150 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility

Pentax K-3 advantages over Fujifilm HS30EXR

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1/2 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 3.91 vs 1.39 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Thinner
    77 mm vs 126 mm
    Thinner
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More dots on screen
    1037k vs 460k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • More pixels
    24.4 vs 16.0 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
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    51200 vs 12800 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • RAW file ability
    Both provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities

Common Weaknesses

  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • 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

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Buy the Fujifilm HS30EXR

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Pentax K-3
Body Only
  • Body Only
  • Kit with 18-135mm Lens
All K-3 Deals

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

The Competition

Compared to Fujifilm HS20EXR

Fujifilm HS30EXR
Fujifilm HS20EXR
  • $468
  • 1/2 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $289
  • 1/2 inch
  • Shoots 60p video

Compare Fujifilm HS30EXR vs Fujifilm HS20EXR

Pentax K-3
Fujifilm HS20EXR
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $289
  • 1/2 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Tiltable Screen

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Fujifilm HS20EXR

Compared to Fujifilm HS25EXR

Fujifilm HS30EXR
Fujifilm HS25EXR
  • $468
  • 1/2 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $279
  • 1/2 inch
  • Less expensive

Compare Fujifilm HS30EXR vs Fujifilm HS25EXR

Pentax K-3
Fujifilm HS25EXR
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $279
  • 1/2 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Tiltable Screen

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Fujifilm HS25EXR

Compared to Fujifilm HS35EXR

Fujifilm HS30EXR
Fujifilm HS35EXR
  • $468
  • 1/2 inch
  • $778
  • 1/2 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Slow-motion videos

Compare Fujifilm HS30EXR vs Fujifilm HS35EXR

Pentax K-3
Fujifilm HS35EXR
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $778
  • 1/2 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Tiltable Screen

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Fujifilm HS35EXR

Compared to Nikon D7100

Fujifilm HS30EXR
Nikon D7100
  • $468
  • 1/2 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $690
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Fujifilm HS30EXR vs Nikon D7100

Pentax K-3
Nikon D7100
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $690
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Nikon D7100

Compared to Nikon D5300

Fujifilm HS30EXR
Nikon D5300
  • $468
  • 1/2 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Fujifilm HS30EXR vs 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

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