Clicky

Canon SX420 IS vs Panasonic ZS30

Portability
80
Imaging
46
Features
34
Overall
41
Canon PowerShot SX420 IS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30 front
Portability
92
Imaging
42
Features
48
Overall
44

Canon SX420 IS vs Panasonic ZS30 Key Specs

Canon SX420 IS
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-1008mm (F3.5-6.6) lens
  • 325g - 104 x 69 x 85mm
  • Revealed January 2016
Panasonic ZS30
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • 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
  • Other Name is Lumix DMC-TZ40
  • Succeeded the Panasonic ZS25
  • New Model is Panasonic ZS35
AI-Powered Photo Editing Tools Could Be Added to WhatsApp

Canon SX420 IS vs Panasonic ZS30 Overview

On this page, we are comparing the Canon SX420 IS vs Panasonic ZS30, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by rivals Canon and Panasonic. The image resolution of the SX420 IS (20MP) and the ZS30 (18MP) is very similar and both cameras provide the same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

Ulanzi's Tripod Ensures Ultra Smooth Filming

The SX420 IS was brought out 3 years later than the ZS30 and that is quite a large difference as far as technology is concerned. Both the cameras have different body design with the Canon SX420 IS being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Panasonic ZS30 being a Compact camera.

Before we go into a in-depth comparison, here is a brief summary of how the SX420 IS scores against the ZS30 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Fujifilm accuses Eastman Kodak of patent violation in new lawsuit
	
	

Reasons to pick Canon SX420 IS over the Panasonic ZS30

 SX420 IS ZS30 
ReleasedJanuary 2016January 2013More recent by 37 months
Manually focus Very exact focusing

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS30 over the Canon SX420 IS

 ZS30 SX420 IS 
Display resolution920k230kClearer display (+690k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Canon SX420 IS and Panasonic ZS30

 SX420 IS ZS30 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display dimensions
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen

Canon SX420 IS vs Panasonic ZS30 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is going to lug around your camera, you need to consider its weight and dimensions. The Canon SX420 IS comes with physical dimensions of 104mm x 69mm x 85mm (4.1" x 2.7" x 3.3") along with a weight of 325 grams (0.72 lbs) and the Panasonic ZS30 has dimensions of 105mm x 59mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") having a weight of 198 grams (0.44 lbs).

Contrast the Canon SX420 IS vs Panasonic ZS30 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are using during that time. Underneath is a front view measurements comparison of the SX420 IS and the ZS30.

Canon SX420 IS vs Panasonic ZS30 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SX420 IS and ZS30 is 80 and 92 respectively.

Canon SX420 IS vs Panasonic ZS30 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX420 IS vs Panasonic ZS30 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is hard to imagine the gap between sensor measurements purely by reading a spec sheet. The graphic below will give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the SX420 IS and ZS30.

Clearly, each of these cameras have the same sensor dimensions but different megapixels. You can expect to see the Canon SX420 IS to offer extra detail having its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will help you crop images a bit more aggressively. The more recent SX420 IS provides a benefit with regard to sensor innovation.

Canon SX420 IS vs Panasonic ZS30 sensor size comparison

Canon SX420 IS vs Panasonic ZS30 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX420 IS vs Panasonic ZS30 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Google AI Gemini Could Enhance iPhone Experience, Talks Suggest

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX420 IS Portrait photography advice
Panasonic ZS30 Portrait photography advice
44
you can focus manually
decent sensor resolution (20 megapixels)
comes with face detect focusing
manual mode not possible
external flash not possible
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
33
decent megapixels (18 megapixels)
no manual focus
can't use external flash
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
Leica struggles with L-Mount camera sales, tougher than Q or M

Street Comparison

Canon SX420 IS Street photography features
Panasonic ZS30 Street photography features
52
built in image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
66
image stabilization (Optical)
supports focus via touch
lighter than others in class (198g)
no articulating screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
Europe Approves Revolutionary AI Legislation

Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon SX420 IS
Sports photography with Panasonic ZS30
41
incredible zoom range (24-1008mm 42.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (20 megapixels)
continuous shooting slow (0.5 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
bad battery power (195 shots)
lacks phase detect AF
46
excellent zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (18MP)
comes with tracking autofocus
low maximum shutter speed (1/1,200 seconds)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
terrible battery pack (260 per charge)
lacks phase detect autofocus
Apple patent reveals improved iPhone camera durability

Travel Comparison

Canon SX420 IS Travel photography features
Panasonic ZS30 Travel photography features
61
decent sensor resolution (20MP)
has built in flash
rather wide (24mm)
very long reach (1008mm)
missing Timelapse mode
bad battery power (195 shots)
screen is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.5)
69
lighter than others in class (198g)
supports focus via touch
decent megapixels (18MP)
flash built-in
pretty wide (24mm)
very long zoom (480mm)
does not have Time Lapse recording
terrible battery pack (260 CIPA)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f3.3)
Nikon Coolpix camera search on Google skyrockets by 8,500%

Landscape Comparison

Canon SX420 IS Landscape photography information
Panasonic ZS30 Landscape photography information
47
you can focus manually
rather wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (20 megapixels)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
manual mode not possible
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
bad battery power (195 shots)
missing Timelapse mode
44
pretty wide (24mm)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (18 megapixels)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
terrible battery pack (260 CIPA)
does not have Time Lapse recording
Peek Behind the Lens of 'Photographer' and Their Go-To Cameras

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX420 IS Vlogging details
Panasonic ZS30 Vlogging details
29
rather wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detect focusing
slow max aperture (f3.5)
screen is not selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing microphone port
35
pretty wide (24mm)
built-in touchscreen
image stabilization (Optical)
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than others in class (198 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
does not have external mic jack
TikTok Developing Photo App to Challenge Instagram's Dominance

Canon SX420 IS vs Panasonic ZS30 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX420 IS and Panasonic ZS30
 Canon PowerShot SX420 ISPanasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30
General Information
Make Canon Panasonic
Model Canon PowerShot SX420 IS Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30
Also referred to as - Lumix DMC-TZ40
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2016-01-05 2013-01-07
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by DIGIC 4+ -
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixels 18 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 5152 x 3864 4896 x 3672
Highest native ISO 1600 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points - 23
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-1008mm (42.0x) 24-480mm (20.0x)
Max aperture f/3.5-6.6 f/3.3-6.4
Macro focus distance 0cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3" 3"
Screen resolution 230 thousand dot 920 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 15 secs 15 secs
Max shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/1200 secs
Continuous shutter speed 0.5 frames per sec 10.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 5.00 m 6.40 m
Flash settings Auto, flash on, slow synchro, flash off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (25p), 640 x 480 (30p) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (220 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 325g (0.72 lb) 198g (0.44 lb)
Physical dimensions 104 x 69 x 85mm (4.1" x 2.7" x 3.3") 105 x 59 x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 195 pictures 260 pictures
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NB-11LH -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Pricing at release $299 $250