• 1/2.5 inch 24.7mm2
  • 7.1 megapixels
  •  
  • 1/2.33 inch 28.2mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 29.00mm - 145.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Pentax W30 advantages over Panasonic DMC-FS15

  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 1.88 vs 1.53 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.

Panasonic DMC-FS15 advantages over Pentax W30

  • Less expensive
    $200 vs $300 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Larger sensor
    1/2.33 inch vs 1/2.5 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 330 vs 210 shots
    Capture more photos
  • More dots on screen
    230k vs 115k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • More pixels
    12.1 vs 7.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Higher extended ISO
    6400 vs 1600 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
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • RAW file ability
    Neither provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • 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
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • HDMI out
    Neither provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Neither provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bulb shutter
    Neither provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

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Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Fujifilm J150w

Pentax W30
Fujifilm J150w
  • $235
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Manual focus
  • $200
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor

Compare Pentax W30 vs Fujifilm J150w

Panasonic DMC-FS15
Fujifilm J150w
  • $200
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • More pixels
  • $200
  • 1/2.3 inch

Compare Panasonic DMC-FS15 vs Fujifilm J150w

Compared to Olympus FE-5010

Pentax W30
Olympus FE-5010
  • $235
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Manual focus
  • $190
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor

Compare Pentax W30 vs Olympus FE-5010

Panasonic DMC-FS15
Olympus FE-5010
  • $200
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Wider angle lens
  • Longer exposure
  • $190
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Panasonic DMC-FS15 vs Olympus FE-5010

Compared to Panasonic DMC-FS25S

Pentax W30
Panasonic DMC-FS25S
  • $235
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Manual focus
  • $175
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor

Compare Pentax W30 vs Panasonic DMC-FS25S

Panasonic DMC-FS15
Panasonic DMC-FS25S
  • $200
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • $175
  • 1/2.33 inch

Compare Panasonic DMC-FS15 vs Panasonic DMC-FS25S

Compared to Fujifilm J250W

Pentax W30
Fujifilm J250W
  • $235
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Manual focus
  • $100
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor

Compare Pentax W30 vs Fujifilm J250W

Panasonic DMC-FS15
Fujifilm J250W
  • $200
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • More pixels
  • $100
  • 1/2.3 inch

Compare Panasonic DMC-FS15 vs Fujifilm J250W

Compared to Nikon S4000

Pentax W30
Nikon S4000
  • $235
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Internal flash
  • $200
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor

Compare Pentax W30 vs Nikon S4000

Panasonic DMC-FS15
Nikon S4000
  • $200
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $200
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More dots on screen

Compare Panasonic DMC-FS15 vs Nikon S4000

Compare Other Cameras?