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Nikon P510 vs Panasonic ZS30

Portability
66
Imaging
39
Features
55
Overall
45
Nikon Coolpix P510 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30 front
Portability
92
Imaging
42
Features
48
Overall
44

Nikon P510 vs Panasonic ZS30 Key Specs

Nikon P510
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-1000mm (F3.0-5.9) lens
  • 555g - 120 x 83 x 102mm
  • Introduced July 2012
  • Succeeded the Nikon P500
  • Later Model is Nikon P520
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
  • Revealed January 2013
  • Additionally referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ40
  • Succeeded the Panasonic ZS25
  • Replacement is Panasonic ZS35
Photography Glossary

Nikon P510 vs Panasonic ZS30 Overview

Below, we are contrasting the Nikon P510 and Panasonic ZS30, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by manufacturers Nikon and Panasonic. The image resolution of the P510 (16MP) and the ZS30 (18MP) is very similar and they enjoy the exact same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The P510 was brought out 6 months earlier than the ZS30 so they are of a similar age. Both of these cameras come with different body type with the Nikon P510 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Panasonic ZS30 being a Compact camera.

Before we go straight into a more detailed comparison, below is a simple synopsis of how the P510 grades vs the ZS30 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon P510 over the Panasonic ZS30

 P510 ZS30 
Focus manually Dial exact focusing
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution921k920kCrisper display (+1k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS30 over the Nikon P510

 ZS30 P510 
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Nikon P510 and Panasonic ZS30

 P510 ZS30 
RevealedJuly 2012January 2013Similar age
Display dimension3"3"Identical display measurement
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen

Nikon P510 vs Panasonic ZS30 Physical Comparison

If you're aiming to carry around your camera regularly, you're going to have to factor its weight and volume. The Nikon P510 enjoys exterior dimensions of 120mm x 83mm x 102mm (4.7" x 3.3" x 4.0") with a weight of 555 grams (1.22 lbs) and 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).

Look at the Nikon P510 and Panasonic ZS30 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are using at the time. Underneath is the front view proportions comparison of the P510 vs the ZS30.

Nikon P510 vs Panasonic ZS30 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the P510 and ZS30 is 66 and 92 respectively.

Nikon P510 vs Panasonic ZS30 top view buttons comparison

Nikon P510 vs Panasonic ZS30 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is difficult to see the gap between sensor sizes merely by reviewing a spec sheet. The pic underneath might provide you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the P510 and ZS30.

As you can see, the 2 cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements but not the same MP. You can expect to see the Panasonic ZS30 to offer extra detail having its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop images much more aggressively.

Nikon P510 vs Panasonic ZS30 sensor size comparison

Nikon P510 vs Panasonic ZS30 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon P510 vs Panasonic ZS30 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon P510 Portrait photography highlights
Panasonic ZS30 Portrait photography highlights
43
manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
supports face detection focus
cannot use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
33
megapixel count good (18 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
can't use external flash
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Nikon P510 Street photography factors
Panasonic ZS30 Street photography factors
50
screen tilts
has image stabilization (Optical)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
heavier than others in class (555 grams)
66
has image stabilization (Optical)
has focus via touch
lighter than competitors in class (198 grams)
fixed screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Nikon P510 Sports photography features
Panasonic ZS30 Sports photography features
50
amazing zoom range (24-1000mm 41.7 x zoom)
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
supports tracking autofocus
very small sensor (1/2.3")
low battery (200 shots)
has no phase detect auto focus
46
long zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (18 megapixels)
features tracking focus
low maximum shutter speed (1/1,200s)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
terrible battery pack (260 CIPA)
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon P510 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic ZS30 as a Travel photography camera
54
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (24mm)
very long zoom (1000mm)
low battery (200 per charge)
heavier than others in class (555g)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
69
lighter than competitors in class (198g)
has focus via touch
megapixel count good (18MP)
has built in flash
quite wide (24mm)
very long zoom (480mm)
does not have Timelapse function
terrible battery pack (260 shots)
display isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon P510 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic ZS30 as a Landscape photography camera
47
manual focus
reasonably wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
low battery (200 CIPA)
44
quite wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (18MP)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
terrible battery pack (260 shots)
does not have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon P510 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic ZS30 as a Vlogging camera
27
reasonably wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detection focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
does not have external mic support
heavier than others in class (555 grams)
35
quite wide (24mm)
has touchscreen
has image stabilization (Optical)
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competitors in class (198 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have microphone socket
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Nikon P510 vs Panasonic ZS30 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon P510 and Panasonic ZS30
 Nikon Coolpix P510Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30
General Information
Company Nikon Panasonic
Model Nikon Coolpix P510 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30
Also called - Lumix DMC-TZ40
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2012-07-05 2013-01-07
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Expeed C2 -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS 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 16 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
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 4896 x 3672
Maximum native ISO 3200 6400
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points - 23
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-1000mm (41.7x) 24-480mm (20.0x)
Max aperture f/3.0-5.9 f/3.3-6.4
Macro focus distance 2cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Tilting Fixed Type
Display size 3" 3"
Resolution of display 921 thousand dots 920 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display tech TFT-LCD with Anti-reflection coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Features
Min shutter speed 30 secs 15 secs
Max shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/1200 secs
Continuous shutter rate 7.0 frames per second 10.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range - 6.40 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow-sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (15, 30fps), 1280 x 720p (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (120, 30fps) 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 MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 555 gr (1.22 lb) 198 gr (0.44 lb)
Dimensions 120 x 83 x 102mm (4.7" x 3.3" x 4.0") 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 200 photos 260 photos
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL5 -
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Pricing at release $600 $250