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Canon SX30 IS vs Panasonic ZS30

Portability
64
Imaging
36
Features
42
Overall
38
Canon PowerShot SX30 IS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30 front
Portability
92
Imaging
42
Features
48
Overall
44

Canon SX30 IS vs Panasonic ZS30 Key Specs

Canon SX30 IS
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-840mm (F2.7-5.8) lens
  • 601g - 123 x 92 x 108mm
  • Announced September 2010
  • Previous Model is Canon SX20 IS
  • Successor is Canon SX40 HS
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
  • Released January 2013
  • Also Known as Lumix DMC-TZ40
  • Older Model is Panasonic ZS25
  • Successor is Panasonic ZS35
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Canon SX30 IS vs Panasonic ZS30 Overview

On this page, we will be reviewing the Canon SX30 IS vs Panasonic ZS30, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by competitors Canon and Panasonic. There is a large difference among the resolutions of the SX30 IS (14MP) and ZS30 (18MP) but both cameras offer the same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The SX30 IS was revealed 3 years prior to the ZS30 and that is a fairly serious difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both the cameras have different body design with the Canon SX30 IS being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Panasonic ZS30 being a Compact camera.

Before going into a comprehensive comparison, here is a quick introduction of how the SX30 IS scores versus the ZS30 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX30 IS over the Panasonic ZS30

 SX30 IS ZS30 
Manually focus Dial exact focus
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS30 over the Canon SX30 IS

 ZS30 SX30 IS 
ReleasedJanuary 2013September 2010Fresher by 28 months
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution920k230kClearer screen (+690k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Canon SX30 IS and Panasonic ZS30

 SX30 IS ZS30 

Canon SX30 IS vs Panasonic ZS30 Physical Comparison

For those who are planning to carry your camera frequently, you'll have to take into account its weight and size. The Canon SX30 IS provides external dimensions of 123mm x 92mm x 108mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 4.3") with a weight of 601 grams (1.32 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).

Contrast the Canon SX30 IS vs Panasonic ZS30 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you choose at the time. Following is a front view measurement comparison of the SX30 IS against the ZS30.

Canon SX30 IS vs Panasonic ZS30 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the SX30 IS and ZS30 is 64 and 92 respectively.

Canon SX30 IS vs Panasonic ZS30 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX30 IS vs Panasonic ZS30 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is very tough to visualize the contrast in sensor sizing simply by seeing technical specs. The visual underneath should offer you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the SX30 IS and ZS30.

As you can tell, both of these cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit different MP. You can expect the Panasonic ZS30 to produce extra detail because of its extra 4MP. Higher resolution can also let you crop pictures more aggressively. The older SX30 IS will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor innovation.

Canon SX30 IS vs Panasonic ZS30 sensor size comparison

Canon SX30 IS vs Panasonic ZS30 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX30 IS vs Panasonic ZS30 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX30 IS Portrait photography features
Panasonic ZS30 Portrait photography features
41
has manual focus
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
33
good resolution (18 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
external flash not possible
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon SX30 IS Street photography factors
Panasonic ZS30 Street photography factors
49
fully articulated screen
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
heavier than average in class (601 grams)
66
has image stabilization (Optical)
includes touch focus
lighter than competition (198 grams)
screen does not articulate
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon SX30 IS
Sports photography with Panasonic ZS30
43
excellent zoom range (24-840mm 35.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
max frames per second very slow (1.0 frames per second)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
46
amazing zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (18MP)
offers tracking focus
low max shutter speed (1/1,200 seconds)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
bad battery power (260 per charge)
has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX30 IS as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic ZS30 as a Travel photography camera
57
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
selfie friendly display
rather wide (24mm)
great reach (840mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
heavier than average in class (601g)
slow max aperture (f2.7)
69
lighter than competition (198 grams)
includes touch focus
good resolution (18MP)
flash built-in
relatively wide (24mm)
very long zoom (480mm)
missing Timelapse function
bad battery power (260 per charge)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX30 IS as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic ZS30 as a Landscape photography camera
40
has manual focus
rather wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.7)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
44
relatively wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (18MP)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
bad battery power (260 per charge)
missing Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX30 IS Vlogging advice
Panasonic ZS30 Vlogging advice
49
rather wide (24mm)
selfie friendly display
has image stabilization (Optical)
slow max aperture (f2.7)
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have external mic port
heavier than average in class (601g)
35
relatively wide (24mm)
touchscreen functionality
has image stabilization (Optical)
great video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition (198 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
missing microphone socket
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Canon SX30 IS vs Panasonic ZS30 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX30 IS and Panasonic ZS30
 Canon PowerShot SX30 ISPanasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Panasonic
Model Canon PowerShot SX30 IS Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30
Also referred to as - Lumix DMC-TZ40
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2010-09-14 2013-01-07
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Digic 4 -
Sensor type CCD 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 14 megapixels 18 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4320 x 3240 4896 x 3672
Maximum native ISO 1600 6400
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 9 23
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-840mm (35.0x) 24-480mm (20.0x)
Max aperture f/2.7-5.8 f/3.3-6.4
Macro focus distance 0cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.7" 3"
Resolution of display 230 thousand dots 920 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15s 15s
Highest shutter speed 1/3200s 1/1200s
Continuous shooting rate 1.0 frames per second 10.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 6.80 m 6.40 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (220 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 601 grams (1.32 pounds) 198 grams (0.44 pounds)
Physical dimensions 123 x 92 x 108mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 4.3") 105 x 59 x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life - 260 images
Battery type - Battery Pack
Battery model NB-7L -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC/MMC/MMCplus/HC MMCplus SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots One One
Cost at launch $400 $250