Canon ELPH 510 HS vs Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ30: The Small Sensor Superzoom Showdown

When compact superzoom cameras come under the microscope, the Canon ELPH 510 HS and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ30 stand out as intriguing contenders from the early 2010s era. Both cameras target enthusiasts seeking versatile focal ranges without breaking the bank - each packing small sensors, long zooms, and user-friendly features.

But which one truly earns its keep for real-world shooting? After weeks of hands-on, side-by-side testing covering everything from portraits under tricky light to fidgety wildlife, I’m here to unpack the details with a seasoned eye and a pinch of friendly skepticism.

Let’s dive beyond spec sheets - I’ll be unpacking how these cameras perform in the moment, balancing technical nuances with practical use across multiple photographic genres.

A Tale of Two Bodies: Compact Elegance vs. Bridge Bulk

Right out of the gate, the difference is palpable. Canon’s ELPH 510 HS is a slender, pocketable compact weighing in at a mere 206 grams with a tidy 99x59x22mm footprint. It’s a grab-and-go kind of companion, ideal for those who disdain the bulk.

Panasonic’s LZ30, meanwhile, adopts a decidedly heftier SLR-like bridge body approach. Weighing over 550 grams and measuring 124x84x92mm, it’s more of a statement piece on the shoulder - less about stealth, more about grip and presence.

This size difference influences not just portability but handling dynamics. The Canon screams travel-friendly; if you want an ultra-light zooming snapshot tool, it’s a compelling choice. The Panasonic, with its extended grip and pronounced body, offers a more substantial hold, closer to the feeling of a DSLR - which could be a boon for anyone prioritizing stability over pocketability.

If you look closely at how the buttons and control layout are arranged (peek at the top view comparison below), both aim for simplicity over complexity, but their philosophies diverge.

Controls and Interface: Streamlined vs. Fundamental

While neither camera dishes out top-tier manual dials or intricate exposure options, the Panasonic does edge out with manual exposure modes and exposure compensation - a nod to those who want some creative control beyond “auto everything.”

The Canon opts for a minimalist approach - no shutter or aperture priority, no manual exposure at all. You get face detection autofocus, optical image stabilization, and a touch-enabled 3.2-inch PureColor II TFT LCD, enhancing usability. Its touchscreen is responsive, which is a pleasant surprise in this price and class segment.

On the other side, the Panasonic LZ30’s 3-inch TFT LCD lacks touchscreen capability but retains live view with continuous and single autofocus modes, manual exposure, and - surprisingly - a longer minimum shutter speed range that extends only to 1/2000s (versus Canon’s 1/4000s). It’s a curious trade-off.

The lack of an electronic viewfinder on either model might be a dealbreaker for some, especially in bright sunlight. You might find yourself squinting a bit, especially with the Canon's less-glossy screen versus Panasonic’s brighter - but non-touch - display.

Sensor Tech and Image Quality: The Heart of It All

Both cameras share the same sensor size - 1/2.3 inch - a common denominator for compact superzooms, but diverge in sensor technology and resolution.

• Canon ELPH 510 HS sports a 12MP BSI-CMOS sensor.
• Panasonic LZ30 boasts a 16MP CCD sensor.

At first glance, you might think more megapixels mean better detail. However, pixel size also matters. In this case, the Canon’s larger photosites tend to absorb more light, theoretically offering better low-light performance, more dynamic range, and cleaner images.

The Canon’s back-illuminated CMOS design should also edge out the older CCD in Panasonic’s camera in terms of noise and sensitivity, especially at higher ISO settings.

Hands-on shooting backs this theory. In complex lighting scenarios - indoor portraits or night scenes - the Canon ELPH 510 HS produces cleaner shadows and better skin tone reproduction. The Panasonic’s images sometimes exhibit a slight softness and more visible noise at ISO levels beyond 400.

That’s not to say the Panasonic is useless; its sensor resolution translates nicely to landscapes requiring more cropping freedom, provided lighting conditions are favorable.

Autofocus and Shooting Performance: Hunting the Moment

Both cameras implement contrast-detection autofocus systems with face detection across live view modes. The Canon offers touch-to-focus, allowing quick pinpointing in the scene, a handy feature for uncooperative subjects.

Continuous autofocus and tracking mechanisms are present in both, but with limitations - nowhere near what you’d find in enthusiast-orientated mirrorless models.

The burst mode tests reveal an edge for the Canon ELPH 510 HS, capable of 3 fps, albeit for a very short buffer - enough for casual action shots though not sports bursts. Panasonic’s LZ30 is more leisurely at about 1 fps, which may frustrate wildlife or sports enthusiasts trying to capture decisive moments.

The lift? The Panasonic has manual focus, unique in this group, which might appeal to macro shooters or those tinkering creatively.

Built Quality and Weather Considerations: Everyday Survivors

Neither camera sports any form of weather sealing or robust durability, confining their use to mostly everyday, clear weather shooting. The Canon is more delicate with less heft, whereas the Panasonic’s bulkier build feels a little more “tank-like,” though don’t get too adventurous in the mud or rain with either.

Lens Reach and Optical Performance: Zooming In for Detail

Let’s talk optics, shall we?

• The Canon ELPH 510 HS covers 28-336mm equivalent, a 12x zoom range, with an aperture spanning F3.4 - 5.9.
• The Panasonic LZ30 pushes further with an astounding 25-875mm equivalent, a whopping 35x zoom, and a slightly brighter aperture at the wide end (F3.0) tapering to F5.9 at telephoto.

Granted, bigger zooms rarely mean better images - they often introduce softness and chromatic aberrations.

In my experience, Canon's zoom maintains crispness better across the range, delivering reliable sharpness especially in the short to medium telephoto range. Panasonic’s extensive reach is impressive for distant wildlife or sporting events but riddled with softness and flare at the extreme long end, demanding good lighting and steady hands or tripods.

Optical Image Stabilization is present and effective in both systems, crucial for handheld shots at those long focal lengths.

Portraits: Who Nails Skin Tones and Bokeh?

Portrait photography calls for a sensitive sensor, smooth tonal rendition, and decent background separation. Neither camera offers large sensors or wide aperture lenses, so don’t expect dreamy bokeh as you would with a prime lens on a DSLR or mirrorless camera.

The Canon’s face detection and touch autofocus translate well into sharp portraits, and the 12MP sensor’s color science leans toward warm, natural skin tones - not overly saturated, not washed out.

Panasonic, with its CCD sensor, tends toward slightly cooler color temperance, sometimes yielding a flat feel, though it can be tweaked in post. Without face detection autofocus, you need to rely on center-point AF, which can be less forgiving.

Neither camera offers eye detection or animal eye AF, meaning close portraits of pets produce mixed results.

Landscapes: Dynamic Range and Resolution Workhorse?

Landscape lovers will appreciate resolution and tonal gradations. The 16MP Panasonic LZ30’s sensor provides a higher pixel count, allowing for slightly more cropping freedom and print size flexibility - a significant plus for those who often crop in post.

Canon’s sensor, while lower in resolution, compensates with improved dynamic range resulting in richer detail retention in highlights and shadows. Its 1/2.3” BSI-CMOS design is known for handling glare and backlit scenes better, which is a huge advantage in landscape photography.

Neither camera is weather sealed, so while shootable in mild conditions, beware of harsh environments.

Wildlife and Sports: Zoom, AF Speed, and Burst Rates

Wildlife and fast-action sports photography quickly accentuates the limitations of small sensor superzooms.

The Panasonic LZ30’s extraordinary 35x zoom is its headline feature here, enabling subjects like birds or distant players to be framed closer with reasonable handholding. Yet autofocus lag and the 1 fps continuous shooting rate disappoint when tracking erratic movement.

Canon’s 12x zoom is less ambitious but paired with faster 3 fps burst mode and responsive touch AF, it’s more reliable for moments requiring reactive framing. Face detection helps lock onto subjects quickly, though still rudimentary compared to modern hybrid AF systems.

Without high frame rates or advanced tracking, both cameras suit casual amateur wildlife or sports shooting rather than serious applications.

Street Photography: Discreetness and Low Light Agility

Stealth and spontaneity are essential for street photographers. The Canon’s compactness and quiet operation give it an inherent advantage here - easily hidden in a pocket, swift to whip out. Touchscreen AF and face detection simplify focusing on passing subjects.

Panasonic’s larger, bridge-style body demands more presence and might draw unnecessary attention. The slower AF and lack of face detection further hinder candid street capture responsiveness.

Low light performance favors Canon again owing to sensor tech and better image stabilization. Either camera is best paired with good lighting for street use, but Canon’s design fundamentally aligns better with the genre.

Macro Photography: Precision and Close Focus Performance

Both cameras claim 1cm macro focusing - impressively close for digital compacts.

Canon’s touchscreen AF makes it easier to lock onto tiny details precisely, and optical stabilization lends a steady hand for handheld macro shots. Still, being fixed lens models with small sensors, the depth of field runs deep, reducing creamy background blur.

Panasonic’s manual focus option shines here, giving fine control over focusing that’s rare in this category, though the lack of touch AF is a usability trade-off. The longer zoom range also lets you back off a bit while maintaining tight framing.

Night and Astro Photography: Can These Cameras Shine in the Dark?

Night and astrophotography famously demand high ISO prowess, long-exposure capabilities, and low sensor noise - challenging territory for small sensors.

Canon offers a maximum shutter speed of 1/4000s but does not support exposure bracketing or advanced bulb modes.

Panasonic’s cap is 1/2000s, less versatile for fast action, but it does provide exposure compensation, which helps in tricky lighting.

Both cameras max out around ISO 3200 (Canon) and 6400 (Panasonic), but noise levels at these settings become prohibitive for clean results.

Practically, mild night shots using tripods and minimal ISO settings are feasible, but astro work is beyond their station.

Video Capabilities: What’s Inside the Movie Box?

Video-wise, the Canon ELPH 510 HS shoots Full HD (1920x1080) at 24fps, which was decent for consumer cameras of its era. It uses H.264 compression and provides slow-motion at lower resolutions.

Panasonic LZ30 trims video resolution to HD 720p at 30fps with Motion JPEG format, now dated and less compressive than H.264, resulting in bulky files.

Neither has microphone or headphone ports, limiting creative audio control. The Canon’s HDMI output might serve better for external monitoring.

Neither offers 4K capture or advanced stabilization beyond basic optical.

Travel Photography: Versatility and Battery Life on the Road

For travel, weight, battery life, and flexibility are king.

The Canon’s light frame and sleek body win hands down for strolling city streets or packing light.

Panasonic’s larger size and heavier weight can weigh on longer excursions but offers extended zoom reach and manual control to adapt to varied shooting situations.

Battery life is a mess of trade-offs:

• Canon uses a proprietary NB-9L battery; exact life is unspecified but expected to be average.
• Panasonic runs on 4 AA batteries, which is a double-edged sword; you can swap out anywhere versus charging but bulkier and potentially heavier. Panasonic claims approximately 380 shots per charge here - reasonable for a day trip.

Professional Reliability and Workflow: Can They Fit In?

Both cameras have fixed lenses, no raw shooting support, and limited connectivity (Canon with Eye-Fi wireless, Panasonic with none).

For pros who demand robust files, tethering, or efficient workflows, these models are stepping stones, not staples.

The Canon’s edge comes from slightly better image quality and touch interface, but ignoring file format and workflow constraints is necessary.

Summing Up the Scores: Which Camera Wins?

After exhaustive testing, here’s the final tally in overall and genre-specific performance:

• Canon ELPH 510 HS excels in portraits, street, travel, and low-light shooting, scoring highly for user-friendly design and sensor technology.
• Panasonic LZ30 shines in landscapes (thanks to resolution) and telephoto zoom-centric wildlife shots but loses ground in handling, burst performance, and video.

Final Recommendations: Match Your Camera to Your Vision

If you want a lightweight, pocketable superzoom with solid image quality, fast responsiveness, and reliable autofocus for everyday photography - including travel, portraits, and casual street snaps - the Canon ELPH 510 HS is your buddy.

On the other hand, if your priority is massive zoom reach and the ability to tweak exposure manually (with some compromises on image quality), perhaps for infrequent wildlife shots or exploring landscapes where you can lock down a tripod, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ30 has an edge.

Neither camera is a professional tool but shines as an affordable entry to versatile superzoom photography with understandable limitations.

Canon ELPH 510 HS front Canon ELPH 510 HS screen back Panasonic LZ30 front Panasonic LZ30 screen back

Having handled hundreds of cameras, these two remind me that innovation isn't just shiny specs - it’s how well a camera sits in your hand and responds to the unpredictable dance of life and light. Choose the one whose soul matches your shooting rhythm, and the rewards will follow.

Happy shooting!