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Canon SX1 IS vs Panasonic ZS30

Portability
64
Imaging
32
Features
53
Overall
40
Canon PowerShot SX1 IS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30 front
Portability
92
Imaging
41
Features
48
Overall
43

Canon SX1 IS vs Panasonic ZS30 Key Specs

Canon SX1 IS
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.8" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-560mm (F2.8-5.7) lens
  • 615g - 128 x 88 x 88mm
  • Revealed March 2009
Panasonic ZS30
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-480mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 198g - 105 x 59 x 28mm
  • Announced January 2013
  • Also Known as Lumix DMC-TZ40
  • Earlier Model is Panasonic ZS25
  • Successor is Panasonic ZS35
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Canon SX1 IS vs Panasonic ZS30 Overview

Lets look more closely at the Canon SX1 IS versus Panasonic ZS30, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by manufacturers Canon and Panasonic. There is a noticeable difference between the resolutions of the SX1 IS (10MP) and ZS30 (18MP) but both cameras offer the same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The SX1 IS was unveiled 4 years prior to the ZS30 and that is quite a sizable difference as far as tech is concerned. Both of the cameras have different body design with the Canon SX1 IS being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Panasonic ZS30 being a Compact camera.

Before we go straight to a thorough comparison, here is a simple overview of how the SX1 IS matches up versus the ZS30 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX1 IS over the Panasonic ZS30

 SX1 IS ZS30 
Manually focus Very accurate focus
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS30 over the Canon SX1 IS

 ZS30 SX1 IS 
AnnouncedJanuary 2013March 2009More recent by 46 months
Screen dimensions3"2.8"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution920k230kSharper screen (+690k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Canon SX1 IS and Panasonic ZS30

 SX1 IS ZS30 

Canon SX1 IS vs Panasonic ZS30 Physical Comparison

If you are looking to lug around your camera regularly, you are going to need to consider its weight and size. The Canon SX1 IS enjoys external measurements of 128mm x 88mm x 88mm (5.0" x 3.5" x 3.5") along with a weight of 615 grams (1.36 lbs) while the Panasonic ZS30 has specifications of 105mm x 59mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") with a weight of 198 grams (0.44 lbs).

Look at the Canon SX1 IS versus Panasonic ZS30 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you select at that time. Here is a front view physical size comparison of the SX1 IS compared to the ZS30.

Canon SX1 IS vs Panasonic ZS30 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the SX1 IS and ZS30 is 64 and 92 respectively.

Canon SX1 IS vs Panasonic ZS30 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX1 IS vs Panasonic ZS30 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, its tough to visualize the difference between sensor measurements merely by reading technical specs. The graphic here will provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the SX1 IS and ZS30.

As you can tell, both of those cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit different resolution. You can count on the Panasonic ZS30 to offer you extra detail having an extra 8MP. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop shots a bit more aggressively. The older SX1 IS is going to be behind in sensor innovation.

Canon SX1 IS vs Panasonic ZS30 sensor size comparison

Canon SX1 IS vs Panasonic ZS30 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX1 IS vs Panasonic ZS30 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon SX1 IS
Portrait photography with Panasonic ZS30
45
you can focus manually
above average flash sync (1/500 seconds)
has face detection focusing
saves RAW formats
low resolution sensor (10 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
32
MP count good (18 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
cannot use external flash
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Canon SX1 IS as a Street photography camera
Panasonic ZS30 as a Street photography camera
56
screen articulates
has image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW formats
small sensor (1/2.3")
more heavy than competition in class (615 grams)
66
has image stabilization (Optical)
boasts touch focus
lighter than competition in class (198 grams)
no articulating screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX1 IS Sports photography info
Panasonic ZS30 Sports photography info
32
excellent zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
continuous shooting slow (4.0 frames per second)
low resolution sensor (10MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
45
excellent zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (18MP)
includes tracking autofocus
maximum shutter speed is a little low (1/1,200s)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
low battery life (260 CIPA)
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX1 IS Travel photography features
Panasonic ZS30 Travel photography features
52
flash built-in
display is selfie friendly
pretty wide (28mm)
long reach (560mm)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
more heavy than competition in class (615 grams)
low resolution sensor (10MP)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
69
lighter than competition in class (198g)
boasts touch focus
MP count good (18MP)
built-in flash
decently wide (24mm)
great reach (480mm)
missing Timelapse mode
low battery life (260 CIPA)
does not contain selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX1 IS Landscape photography details
Panasonic ZS30 Landscape photography details
44
you can focus manually
pretty wide (28mm)
screen size is good (2.8 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW formats
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
low resolution sensor (10MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have Timelapse recording
43
decently wide (24mm)
screen is a good size (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (18 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
low battery life (260 per charge)
missing Timelapse mode
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX1 IS Vlogging advice
Panasonic ZS30 Vlogging advice
57
pretty wide (28mm)
display is selfie friendly
has image stabilization (Optical)
has face detection focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
doesn't have external microphone socket
more heavy than competition in class (615g)
35
decently wide (24mm)
touchscreen capability
has image stabilization (Optical)
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition in class (198 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
does not contain selfie friendly display
missing external microphone jack
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Canon SX1 IS vs Panasonic ZS30 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX1 IS and Panasonic ZS30
 Canon PowerShot SX1 ISPanasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30
General Information
Make Canon Panasonic
Model type Canon PowerShot SX1 IS Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30
Other name - Lumix DMC-TZ40
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2009-03-27 2013-01-07
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 10MP 18MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 3648 x 2736 4896 x 3672
Highest native ISO 1600 6400
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 9 23
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-560mm (20.0x) 24-480mm (20.0x)
Maximum aperture f/2.8-5.7 f/3.3-6.4
Macro focusing range 0cm 3cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.8 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 230k dot 920k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15 seconds 15 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/3200 seconds 1/1200 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 4.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 5.20 m 6.40 m
Flash modes Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/500 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (60, 30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (220 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 615g (1.36 lbs) 198g (0.44 lbs)
Physical dimensions 128 x 88 x 88mm (5.0" x 3.5" x 3.5") 105 x 59 x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life - 260 shots
Battery format - Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec or custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/MMC card SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots One One
Pricing at release $600 $250