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Canon SX50 HS vs Panasonic ZS30

Portability
65
Imaging
36
Features
55
Overall
43
Canon PowerShot SX50 HS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30 front
Portability
92
Imaging
42
Features
48
Overall
44

Canon SX50 HS vs Panasonic ZS30 Key Specs

Canon SX50 HS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.8" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-1200mm (F3.4-6.5) lens
  • 595g - 123 x 87 x 106mm
  • Announced January 2013
  • Previous Model is Canon SX40 HS
  • Replacement is Canon SX60 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
  • Revealed January 2013
  • Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-TZ40
  • Succeeded the Panasonic ZS25
  • Newer Model is Panasonic ZS35
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Canon SX50 HS vs Panasonic ZS30 Overview

On this page, we will be analyzing the Canon SX50 HS versus Panasonic ZS30, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by rivals Canon and Panasonic. There is a crucial difference between the image resolutions of the SX50 HS (12MP) and ZS30 (18MP) but both cameras offer the same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The SX50 HS was announced at a similar time to the ZS30 and they are of a similar generation. Both cameras have different body design with the Canon SX50 HS being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Panasonic ZS30 being a Compact camera.

Before we go straight to a in depth comparison, here is a quick overview of how the SX50 HS grades vs the ZS30 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX50 HS over the Panasonic ZS30

 SX50 HS ZS30 
Manual focus Very exact focus
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS30 over the Canon SX50 HS

 ZS30 SX50 HS 
Screen dimensions3"2.8"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution920k461kClearer screen (+459k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Canon SX50 HS and Panasonic ZS30

 SX50 HS ZS30 
RevealedJanuary 2013January 2013Similar generation

Canon SX50 HS vs Panasonic ZS30 Physical Comparison

In case you're going to carry around your camera, you're going to have to take into account its weight and measurements. The Canon SX50 HS features external measurements of 123mm x 87mm x 106mm (4.8" x 3.4" x 4.2") with a weight of 595 grams (1.31 lbs) and the Panasonic ZS30 has proportions of 105mm x 59mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") with a weight of 198 grams (0.44 lbs).

Check the Canon SX50 HS versus Panasonic ZS30 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you use during that time. The following is a front view over all size comparison of the SX50 HS against the ZS30.

Canon SX50 HS vs Panasonic ZS30 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the SX50 HS and ZS30 is 65 and 92 respectively.

Canon SX50 HS vs Panasonic ZS30 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX50 HS vs Panasonic ZS30 Sensor Comparison

Often, it can be tough to envision the difference between sensor sizes just by looking at technical specs. The pic underneath might offer you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the SX50 HS and ZS30.

As you have seen, the 2 cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same megapixels. You should expect the Panasonic ZS30 to give you greater detail with its extra 6MP. Higher resolution will let you crop shots more aggressively.

Canon SX50 HS vs Panasonic ZS30 sensor size comparison

Canon SX50 HS vs Panasonic ZS30 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX50 HS vs Panasonic ZS30 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX50 HS Portrait photography advice
Panasonic ZS30 Portrait photography advice
48
focusing manually
above average flash sync speed (1/2,000 seconds)
supports face detect focus
saves RAW formats
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
33
resolution is good (18 megapixels)
no manual focus
cannot use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon SX50 HS Street photography features
Panasonic ZS30 Street photography features
57
screen articulates
built in image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW formats
small sensor size (1/2.3")
heavier than average in class (595 grams)
66
built in image stabilization (Optical)
has focus by touch
lighter than average in class (198 grams)
screen is fixed
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX50 HS as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic ZS30 as a Sports photography camera
39
incredible zoom range (24-1200mm 50.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports tracking focus
slow fps (2.0 fps)
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
46
incredible zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (18MP)
has tracking autofocus
low max shutter speed (1/1,200s)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
bad battery life (260 per charge)
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX50 HS as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic ZS30 as a Travel photography camera
53
flash built-in
selfie friendly screen
really wide (24mm)
long reach (1200mm)
no Time Lapse recording
heavier than average in class (595g)
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
69
lighter than average in class (198 grams)
has focus by touch
resolution is good (18MP)
flash built-in
relatively wide (24mm)
great zoom (480mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
bad battery life (260 shots)
does not contain selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX50 HS Landscape photography advice
Panasonic ZS30 Landscape photography advice
45
focusing manually
really wide (24mm)
nice screen size (2.8 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW formats
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no Time Lapse recording
44
relatively wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (18MP)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
bad battery life (260 shots)
does not have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon SX50 HS
Vlogging with Panasonic ZS30
58
really wide (24mm)
selfie friendly screen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
no mic jack
heavier than average in class (595g)
35
relatively wide (24mm)
built-in touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than average in class (198g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
does not contain selfie friendly display
does not have external mic port
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Canon SX50 HS vs Panasonic ZS30 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX50 HS and Panasonic ZS30
 Canon PowerShot SX50 HSPanasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Panasonic
Model Canon PowerShot SX50 HS Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30
Also referred to as - Lumix DMC-TZ40
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2013-01-15 2013-01-07
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Digic 5 -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 18 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 5:4, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4000 x 3000 4896 x 3672
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 9 23
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-1200mm (50.0x) 24-480mm (20.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.4-6.5 f/3.3-6.4
Macro focus distance 0cm 3cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.8 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 461k dot 920k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 202k dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15s 15s
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/1200s
Continuous shutter speed 2.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 5.50 m 6.40 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Second Curtain Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/2000s -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (24 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 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 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 595 gr (1.31 lb) 198 gr (0.44 lb)
Physical dimensions 123 x 87 x 106mm (4.8" x 3.4" x 4.2") 105 x 59 x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 47 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 20.3 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 11.2 not tested
DXO Low light score 179 not tested
Other
Battery life 315 images 260 images
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NB-10L -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Cost at release $429 $250