• 1/2.5 inch 24.7mm2
  • 7.1 megapixels
  •  
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 600.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Pentax W30 advantages over Panasonic FZ200

  • Less expensive
    $300 vs $599 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 1.88 vs 1.54 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Thinner
    23 mm vs 110 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    160g vs 603g
    Lighter weight

Panasonic FZ200 advantages over Pentax W30

  • Larger sensor
    1/2.3 inch vs 1/2.5 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs none
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 540 vs 210 shots
    Capture more photos
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Newer
    12 years vs 18 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • More dots on screen
    461k vs 115k 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
    12.1 vs 7.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • 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
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • 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
  • 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

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Buy the Panasonic FZ200

Review Excerpt

  • Max aperture f/2.8 across full 24x optical zoom range of Leica DC Vario-Elmarit-branded lens; Relatively sharp and detailed images for a superzoom camera; Full-res burst shooting at 12 frames per second; Advanced photographic capabilities (manual focusing/exposure controls, RAW image capture, etc.); Full HD video recording up to 60p.

  • Control scheme and menu layout frustrating to use, especially the over-reliance on the rear dial; Higher ISOs produce smudged and blurred images as noise reduction efforts increase; Tendency to clip highlights; EVF doesn't switch on automatically when you look through it.

The Competition

Compared to Leica V-LUX 2

Pentax W30
Leica V-LUX 2
  • $235
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels
  • $850
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Panasonic FZ200
Leica V-LUX 2
  • $890
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $850
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • More pixels

Compared to Panasonic FZ150

Pentax W30
Panasonic FZ150
  • $235
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels
  • $498
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Panasonic FZ200
Panasonic FZ150
  • $890
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Slower slow-motion
  • $498
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Higher effective ISO

Compared to Leica V-LUX 3

Pentax W30
Leica V-LUX 3
  • $235
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Thinner
  • $1700
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Panasonic FZ200
Leica V-LUX 3
  • $890
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Slower slow-motion
  • $1700
  • 1/2.3 inch

Compared to Leica V-LUX 4

Pentax W30
Leica V-LUX 4
  • $235
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Thinner
  • $1300
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Panasonic FZ200
Leica V-LUX 4
  • $890
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $1300
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Headphone jack

Compared to Panasonic FZ300

Pentax W30
Panasonic FZ300
  • $235
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Thinner
  • $531
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Panasonic FZ200
Panasonic FZ300
  • $890
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Higher effective ISO
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $531
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoot 4K video
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