• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 10.0 megapixels
  • 35.00mm - 175.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 18.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 480.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Pentax WS80 advantages over Panasonic ZS30

  • Less expensive
    $250 vs $400 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 1.69 vs 1.26 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Lighter weight
    125g vs 198g
    Lighter weight

Panasonic ZS30 advantages over Pentax WS80

  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Larger lens aperture
    f/3.3 vs f/3.8
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • More telephoto lens reach
    480 mm vs 175 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 300 vs 200 shots
    Capture more photos
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • More dots on screen
    920k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • More pixels
    18.1 vs 10.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Wider angle lens
    24 mm vs 35 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Longer exposure
    30 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.0 fps vs 1.1 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • 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

  • 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
  • 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 Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • 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
  • Hot shoe
    Neither provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bulb shutter
    Neither provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Pentax WS80

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Panasonic ZS30
Panasonic ZS30
All ZS30 Deals

Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Samsung TL9

Pentax WS80
Samsung TL9
  • $249
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Manual focus
  • Higher extended ISO
  • $280
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Longer exposure

Compare Pentax WS80 vs Samsung TL9

Panasonic ZS30
Samsung TL9
  • $319
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $280
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic ZS30 vs Samsung TL9

Compared to Nikon S60

Pentax WS80
Nikon S60
  • $249
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $350
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • HDMI out

Compare Pentax WS80 vs Nikon S60

Panasonic ZS30
Nikon S60
  • $319
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Larger lens aperture
  • $350
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Lighter weight

Compare Panasonic ZS30 vs Nikon S60

Compared to Nikon S70

Pentax WS80
Nikon S70
  • $249
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $257
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More pixels
  • Wider angle lens

Compare Pentax WS80 vs Nikon S70

Panasonic ZS30
Nikon S70
  • $319
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Larger lens aperture
  • $257
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Thinner

Compare Panasonic ZS30 vs Nikon S70

Compared to Panasonic ZS19

Pentax WS80
Panasonic ZS19
  • $249
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels
  • $300
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Larger lens aperture

Compare Pentax WS80 vs Panasonic ZS19

Panasonic ZS30
Panasonic ZS19
  • $319
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $300
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Longer exposure

Compare Panasonic ZS30 vs Panasonic ZS19

Compared to Panasonic ZS25

Pentax WS80
Panasonic ZS25
  • $249
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Manual focus
  • $350
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Larger lens aperture

Compare Pentax WS80 vs Panasonic ZS25

Panasonic ZS30
Panasonic ZS25
  • $319
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $350
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Bigger JPEG buffer

Compare Panasonic ZS30 vs Panasonic ZS25

Compare Other Cameras?