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Casio EX-Z280 vs Panasonic ZS30

Portability
96
Imaging
35
Features
21
Overall
29
Casio Exilim EX-Z280 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30 front
Portability
92
Imaging
42
Features
48
Overall
44

Casio EX-Z280 vs Panasonic ZS30 Key Specs

Casio EX-Z280
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 64 - 3200
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-104mm (F2.6-5.9) lens
  • 133g - 97 x 53 x 20mm
  • Announced August 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
  • Introduced January 2013
  • Additionally referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ40
  • Previous Model is Panasonic ZS25
  • Replacement is Panasonic ZS35
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Casio EX-Z280 vs Panasonic ZS30 Overview

In this write-up, we will be comparing the Casio EX-Z280 versus Panasonic ZS30, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by companies Casio and Panasonic. There is a sizeable difference between the sensor resolutions of the EX-Z280 (12MP) and ZS30 (18MP) but they feature the same exact sensor size (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The EX-Z280 was unveiled 4 years before the ZS30 which is quite a large gap as far as tech is concerned. Both of the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before getting through a comprehensive comparison, below is a quick view of how the EX-Z280 matches up against the ZS30 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Casio EX-Z280 over the Panasonic ZS30

 EX-Z280 ZS30 
Manual focus Very accurate focus

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS30 over the Casio EX-Z280

 ZS30 EX-Z280 
IntroducedJanuary 2013August 2009Newer by 40 months
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution920k115kClearer screen (+805k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Casio EX-Z280 and Panasonic ZS30

 EX-Z280 ZS30 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen

Casio EX-Z280 vs Panasonic ZS30 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is aiming to travel with your camera regularly, you will have to factor in its weight and volume. The Casio EX-Z280 has external dimensions of 97mm x 53mm x 20mm (3.8" x 2.1" x 0.8") along with a weight of 133 grams (0.29 lbs) whilst the Panasonic ZS30 has sizing 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 Casio EX-Z280 versus Panasonic ZS30 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you select during that time. Below is the front view over all size comparison of the EX-Z280 compared to the ZS30.

Casio EX-Z280 vs Panasonic ZS30 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the EX-Z280 and ZS30 is 96 and 92 respectively.

Casio EX-Z280 vs Panasonic ZS30 top view buttons comparison

Casio EX-Z280 vs Panasonic ZS30 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is tough to see the contrast between sensor dimensions just by reading specs. The image here will offer you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the EX-Z280 and ZS30.

All in all, both of those cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same MP. You should expect the Panasonic ZS30 to offer you extra detail having an extra 6MP. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop pictures a little more aggressively. The more aged EX-Z280 is going to be behind when it comes to sensor technology.

Casio EX-Z280 vs Panasonic ZS30 sensor size comparison

Casio EX-Z280 vs Panasonic ZS30 Screen and ViewFinder

Casio EX-Z280 vs Panasonic ZS30 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Casio EX-Z280 Portrait photography highlights
Panasonic ZS30 Portrait photography highlights
27
focusing manually
manual mode not possible
can't use external flash
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
33
good MP (18 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
cannot use external flash
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Casio EX-Z280 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic ZS30 as a Street photography camera
55
lighter than others (133g)
no articulating screen
no image stabilization
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
66
image stabilization (Optical)
comes with touch to focus
lighter than competition (198 grams)
fixed screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Casio EX-Z280
Sports photography with Panasonic ZS30
17
no shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
46
amazing zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (18MP)
provides tracking autofocus
low max shutter speed (1/1,200 seconds)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
terrible battery power (260 shots)
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Casio EX-Z280 Travel photography factors
Panasonic ZS30 Travel photography factors
62
lighter than others (133g)
built-in flash
relatively wide (26mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.6)
69
lighter than competition (198 grams)
comes with touch to focus
good MP (18 megapixels)
flash built-in
fairly wide (24mm)
great reach (480mm)
no Timelapse mode
terrible battery power (260 CIPA)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Casio EX-Z280 Landscape photography factors
Panasonic ZS30 Landscape photography factors
32
focusing manually
relatively wide (26mm)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.6)
small screen (2.7 inch)
manual mode not possible
no image stabilization
megapixel count low (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
44
fairly wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (18MP)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
terrible battery power (260 shots)
no Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Casio EX-Z280 Vlogging information
Panasonic ZS30 Vlogging information
28
relatively wide (26mm)
lighter than others (133g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.6)
display is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have mic jack
35
fairly wide (24mm)
touchscreen capability
image stabilization (Optical)
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition (198g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
no external microphone socket
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Casio EX-Z280 vs Panasonic ZS30 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Casio EX-Z280 and Panasonic ZS30
 Casio Exilim EX-Z280Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30
General Information
Manufacturer Casio Panasonic
Model type Casio Exilim EX-Z280 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30
Other name - Lumix DMC-TZ40
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2009-08-31 2013-01-07
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
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 surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 18 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4000 x 3000 4896 x 3672
Max native ISO 3200 6400
Minimum native ISO 64 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points - 23
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 26-104mm (4.0x) 24-480mm (20.0x)
Highest aperture f/2.6-5.9 f/3.3-6.4
Macro focusing distance 5cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.7" 3"
Display resolution 115 thousand dots 920 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4 secs 15 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/1200 secs
Continuous shooting rate - 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 4.20 m 6.40 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (220 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone port
Headphone port
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
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 133g (0.29 lb) 198g (0.44 lb)
Dimensions 97 x 53 x 20mm (3.8" x 2.1" x 0.8") 105 x 59 x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 photographs
Battery type - Battery Pack
Battery ID NP-80 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Triple) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Cost at launch $180 $250