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Nikon AW100 vs Panasonic ZS30

Portability
93
Imaging
39
Features
28
Overall
34
Nikon Coolpix AW100 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30 front
Portability
92
Imaging
42
Features
48
Overall
44

Nikon AW100 vs Panasonic ZS30 Key Specs

Nikon AW100
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 3200
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.9-4.8) lens
  • 178g - 110 x 65 x 23mm
  • Announced August 2011
  • Replacement is Nikon AW110
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
  • Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-TZ40
  • Previous Model is Panasonic ZS25
  • New Model is Panasonic ZS35
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Nikon AW100 vs Panasonic ZS30 Overview

The following is a comprehensive overview of the Nikon AW100 vs Panasonic ZS30, former is a Waterproof while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by competitors Nikon and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the AW100 (16MP) and the ZS30 (18MP) is pretty comparable and both cameras posses the identical sensor size (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The AW100 was brought out 16 months before the ZS30 which makes them a generation away from each other. Each of these cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before diving into a thorough comparison, here is a concise highlight of how the AW100 scores against the ZS30 for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Nikon AW100 over the Panasonic ZS30

 AW100 ZS30 

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS30 over the Nikon AW100

 ZS30 AW100 
ReleasedJanuary 2013August 2011Newer by 16 months
Screen resolution920k460kSharper screen (+460k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Nikon AW100 and Panasonic ZS30

 AW100 ZS30 
Focus manually Lack of manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen size
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen

Nikon AW100 vs Panasonic ZS30 Physical Comparison

For those who are aiming to travel with your camera frequently, you are going to need to consider its weight and size. The Nikon AW100 enjoys exterior dimensions of 110mm x 65mm x 23mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 0.9") and a weight of 178 grams (0.39 lbs) and 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).

Check out the Nikon AW100 vs Panasonic ZS30 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you select at the time. The following is a front view scale comparison of the AW100 compared to the ZS30.

Nikon AW100 vs Panasonic ZS30 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the AW100 and ZS30 is 93 and 92 respectively.

Nikon AW100 vs Panasonic ZS30 top view buttons comparison

Nikon AW100 vs Panasonic ZS30 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is hard to imagine the gap in sensor dimensions simply by seeing specifications. The image here should give you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the AW100 and ZS30.

To sum up, each of these cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit different resolution. You can expect the Panasonic ZS30 to provide extra detail having its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will allow you to crop photographs way more aggressively. The more aged AW100 will be behind with regard to sensor technology.

Nikon AW100 vs Panasonic ZS30 sensor size comparison

Nikon AW100 vs Panasonic ZS30 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon AW100 vs Panasonic ZS30 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon AW100
Portrait photography with Panasonic ZS30
30
MP count good (16 megapixels)
no manual focus
no manual exposure
external flash not possible
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
33
decent megapixels (18 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
external flash not possible
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Nikon AW100 Street photography info
Panasonic ZS30 Street photography info
55
environment sealing
screen is fixed
lack of image stabilization
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
66
built in image stabilization (Optical)
boasts focus via touch
lighter than average (198 grams)
fixed screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Nikon AW100 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic ZS30 as a Sports photography camera
33
MP count good (16 megapixels)
environment sealing
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
46
incredible zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (18MP)
has tracking autofocus
low max shutter speed (1/1,200 seconds)
small sensor (1/2.3")
bad battery pack (260 per charge)
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Nikon AW100 Travel photography factors
Panasonic ZS30 Travel photography factors
67
environment sealing
MP count good (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
fairly wide (28mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
does not posses selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.9)
69
lighter than average (198g)
boasts focus via touch
decent megapixels (18MP)
flash built-in
really wide (24mm)
very long zoom (480mm)
no Time Lapse mode
bad battery pack (260 per charge)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon AW100
Landscape photography with Panasonic ZS30
41
fairly wide (28mm)
good sized screen (3 inch)
MP count good (16MP)
environment sealing
no manual focus
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.9)
no manual exposure
lack of image stabilization
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
doesn't have Timelapse function
44
really wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (18 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
bad battery pack (260 CIPA)
no Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon AW100 Vlogging information
Panasonic ZS30 Vlogging information
29
fairly wide (28mm)
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.9)
does not posses selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
doesn't have microphone support
35
really wide (24mm)
touchscreen enabled
built in image stabilization (Optical)
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than average (198 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
no external mic socket
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Nikon AW100 vs Panasonic ZS30 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon AW100 and Panasonic ZS30
 Nikon Coolpix AW100Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30
General Information
Company Nikon Panasonic
Model Nikon Coolpix AW100 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30
Also called as - Lumix DMC-TZ40
Type Waterproof Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2011-08-24 2013-01-07
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type 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 16 megapixel 18 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 4896 x 3672
Maximum native ISO 3200 6400
Min native ISO 125 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points - 23
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-140mm (5.0x) 24-480mm (20.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.9-4.8 f/3.3-6.4
Macro focus distance - 3cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 460k dots 920k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen technology TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 4 secs 15 secs
Max shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/1200 secs
Continuous shutter rate 3.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range - 6.40 m
Flash settings - 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
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080, 1280 x 720 (60 fps),640 x 480 (120 fps), 320 x 240 (240 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 format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic 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 BuiltIn BuiltIn
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 178g (0.39 pounds) 198g (0.44 pounds)
Physical dimensions 110 x 65 x 23mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 0.9") 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 - 260 photos
Battery type - Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL12 -
Self timer - Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD / SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Price at release $299 $250