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Canon SX500 IS vs Panasonic ZS30

Portability
80
Imaging
39
Features
40
Overall
39
Canon PowerShot SX500 IS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30 front
Portability
92
Imaging
42
Features
48
Overall
44

Canon SX500 IS vs Panasonic ZS30 Key Specs

Canon SX500 IS
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.4-5.8) lens
  • 341g - 104 x 70 x 80mm
  • Released August 2012
  • Refreshed by Canon SX510 HS
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
  • Introduced January 2013
  • Additionally Known as Lumix DMC-TZ40
  • Succeeded the Panasonic ZS25
  • Replacement is Panasonic ZS35
Photography Glossary

Canon SX500 IS vs Panasonic ZS30 Overview

Let's examine more in depth at the Canon SX500 IS versus Panasonic ZS30, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by rivals Canon and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the SX500 IS (16MP) and the ZS30 (18MP) is fairly comparable and they feature the exact same sensor size (1/2.3").

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The SX500 IS was announced 4 months before the ZS30 and they are both of a similar generation. Both the cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before we go straight into a complete comparison, below is a brief highlight of how the SX500 IS matches up versus the ZS30 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX500 IS over the Panasonic ZS30

 SX500 IS ZS30 
Manually focus Dial precise focus

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS30 over the Canon SX500 IS

 ZS30 SX500 IS 
Display resolution920k461kSharper display (+459k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Canon SX500 IS and Panasonic ZS30

 SX500 IS ZS30 
IntroducedAugust 2012January 2013Same generation
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimension3"3"Identical display size
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen

Canon SX500 IS vs Panasonic ZS30 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is intending to lug around your camera regularly, you have to factor its weight and proportions. The Canon SX500 IS has outside measurements of 104mm x 70mm x 80mm (4.1" x 2.8" x 3.1") accompanied by a weight of 341 grams (0.75 lbs) and the Panasonic ZS30 has measurements of 105mm x 59mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") and a weight of 198 grams (0.44 lbs).

Check the Canon SX500 IS versus Panasonic ZS30 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are working with at that time. Here is the front view sizing comparison of the SX500 IS vs the ZS30.

Canon SX500 IS vs Panasonic ZS30 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SX500 IS and ZS30 is 80 and 92 respectively.

Canon SX500 IS vs Panasonic ZS30 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX500 IS vs Panasonic ZS30 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is very hard to envision the difference in sensor measurements simply by checking out specs. The photograph below might give you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the SX500 IS and ZS30.

All in all, both cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements but not the same MP. You should anticipate the Panasonic ZS30 to provide extra detail with its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also let you crop photos much more aggressively.

Canon SX500 IS vs Panasonic ZS30 sensor size comparison

Canon SX500 IS vs Panasonic ZS30 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX500 IS vs Panasonic ZS30 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX500 IS Portrait photography information
Panasonic ZS30 Portrait photography information
46
focusing manually
flash sync speed is above average (1/1,600 seconds)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
features face detect focusing
no external flash support
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
33
good megapixels (18MP)
focusing manually not possible
no external flash support
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon SX500 IS Street photography factors
Panasonic ZS30 Street photography factors
51
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
66
built in image stabilization (Optical)
features focus via touch
lighter than others in class (198 grams)
no moving screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX500 IS Sports photography features
Panasonic ZS30 Sports photography features
44
long zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
features tracking focus
low frames per second (1.0 fps)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
low battery (195 CIPA)
lacks phase detect AF
46
incredible zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (18 megapixels)
provides tracking autofocus
max shutter speed is low (1/1,200 seconds)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
bad battery life (260 shots)
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX500 IS Travel photography details
Panasonic ZS30 Travel photography details
59
MP count good (16MP)
has built in flash
fairly wide (24mm)
great reach (720mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
low battery (195 shots)
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.4)
69
lighter than others in class (198 grams)
features focus via touch
good megapixels (18MP)
built-in flash
quite wide (24mm)
long zoom (480mm)
lack of Time Lapse mode
bad battery life (260 CIPA)
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX500 IS Landscape photography details
Panasonic ZS30 Landscape photography details
46
focusing manually
fairly wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16MP)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.4)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
low battery (195 CIPA)
doesn't have Timelapse function
44
quite wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (18 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
bad battery life (260 shots)
lack of Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX500 IS Vlogging advice
Panasonic ZS30 Vlogging advice
28
fairly wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect focusing
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.4)
display is not selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have microphone socket
35
quite wide (24mm)
has touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than others in class (198 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
display isn't selfie friendly
lack of external mic jack
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Canon SX500 IS vs Panasonic ZS30 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX500 IS and Panasonic ZS30
 Canon PowerShot SX500 ISPanasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30
General Information
Brand Canon Panasonic
Model Canon PowerShot SX500 IS Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30
Also called as - Lumix DMC-TZ40
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2012-08-21 2013-01-07
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip 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 area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 18MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 4896 x 3672
Maximum native ISO 1600 6400
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 1 23
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-720mm (30.0x) 24-480mm (20.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.4-5.8 f/3.3-6.4
Macro focus range 1cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 461k dot 920k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15 seconds 15 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/1200 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 1.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 5.00 m 6.40 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/1600 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (25 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 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic input
Headphone input
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 seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 341 gr (0.75 lbs) 198 gr (0.44 lbs)
Dimensions 104 x 70 x 80mm (4.1" x 2.8" x 3.1") 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 images 260 images
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NB-6L -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots One One
Retail price $299 $250