Nikon P80 vs Panasonic ZS30: A Deep Dive Into Small Sensor Superzoom Cameras for Enthusiasts and Professionals

Choosing the right camera can be a complex process, especially when considering bridge or compact superzoom models that blend portability with extended focal ranges. Today, we're comparing two popular small sensor superzoom cameras from different eras and brands: the Nikon Coolpix P80, launched in 2009, and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30 (also known as TZ40), introduced in 2013. Both offer substantial zoom capabilities and target photography enthusiasts who want flexibility without lugging around a full DSLR or mirrorless system.

Our comparison covers all the essential aspects - sensor technology, image quality, autofocus, ergonomics, shooting experience, and suitability for various photographic genres such as portraits, landscapes, wildlife, sports, street, macro, night, video, travel, and professional work.

Let’s explore these cameras side by side so you can discover which machine fits your creative ambitions and shooting style.

First Impressions: Physical Design and Handling

Before getting into specs, handling a camera reveals a lot about its practical use. The Nikon P80 is a classic bridge camera; larger and heavier compared to ultra-compact models, but still a step below DSLR bulk. The Panasonic ZS30, by contrast, is a true compact superzoom - smaller, lighter, and easier to slip into a pocket.

• Nikon P80: The P80’s SLR-like shape provides a comfortable grip for extended shooting. Its chunky body houses a fixed lens with an 18x zoom range (27-486mm equivalent), paired with sensor-shift image stabilization. The substantial handgrip and dedicated dials give it a pro feel, but the size can be restrictive for travel use.

• Panasonic ZS30: Weighing less than half the Nikon, the ZS30 favors portability. Its slim, lightweight design is perfect for street and travel photography where discretion and convenience are key. The 20x zoom range (24-480mm equivalent) covers similar territories, though with a smaller maximum aperture range and optical image stabilization.

Top Plate and Control Layout: Usability in the Field

Experienced photographers appreciate a thoughtful control layout. Quick access to key settings can make or break a shoot.

• Nikon P80: It offers dedicated dials for shutter speed and exposure compensation, plus dedicated zoom and mode controls. This design fosters faster manual adjustments, ideal for users who want hands-on exposure control without diving into menus.

• Panasonic ZS30: Prioritizes simplicity with fewer physical controls and relies on a touchscreen interface for many settings. The touchscreen is responsive, making it easy to select focus points or navigate menus. The absence of an electronic viewfinder (EVF) means you’ll rely solely on the LCD, which some may find limiting in bright outdoor light.

Image Sensor Technology and Quality

At the heart of any camera’s image quality is its sensor. Both cameras use a 1/2.3-inch sensor, but their types and resolutions differ.

• CCD vs. CMOS: The Nikon’s CCD sensor was standard in its time but tends to consume more power and has slower readout speeds, impacting burst shooting and video. The Panasonic’s CMOS sensor is more modern, enabling higher resolution and better noise control, especially at higher ISOs.

• Resolution: The ZS30’s 18MP sensor delivers notably higher detail, which benefits crops, large prints, and landscape photography.

If you’re prioritizing sharp, detailed images, especially outdoors, the Panasonic has the edge. However, neither supports RAW file capture, limiting post-processing flexibility.

LCD and Viewfinder: Composition and Review

Your framing and reviewing experience impact your shooting comfort.

• Nikon P80: Features a 2.7-inch fixed LCD with modest 230k-dot resolution. It has an electronic viewfinder, albeit a low-res one, which can be handy in bright light or when steadying the camera against your face.

• Panasonic ZS30: Sports a 3.0-inch fixed touchscreen with 920k-dot resolution. The touchscreen support allows intuitive focus selection and menu navigation. The absence of a viewfinder means shooting in direct sunlight can be challenging, though its bright and sharp LCD helps considerably.

Autofocus Systems: Speed and Accuracy

Fast and reliable autofocus (AF) is essential in many situations, from wildlife to sports.

• Nikon P80: Offers only single AF with contrast detection, without tracking or face detection. It works well enough for static subjects but struggles with moving objects.

• Panasonic ZS30: Features a more sophisticated AF system with 23 focus points and continuous AF tracking. It handles moving subjects better and allows you to select focus points on the touchscreen, aiding precise composition.

Our testing showed the Panasonic’s autofocus is faster and more reliable in varied scenarios - ideal for wildlife, sports, and street photography.

Lens and Zoom: Flexibility Across Genres

Two key specs to consider: zoom range and aperture.

• Nikon P80: The brighter maximum aperture (f/2.8 at wide-angle) is valuable for low light and bokeh-rich portraits. Its sensor-shift stabilization helps with slower shutter speeds but can be less effective at long telephoto lengths.

• Panasonic ZS30: The narrower aperture at telephoto end (f/6.4) can limit background blur and high-speed shooting under low light. However, its optical stabilization is more effective for handheld telephoto shooting and video.

For macro photography, the P80’s ability to focus at just 1 cm is impressive, allowing super close-ups of flowers or insects. The ZS30’s 3 cm minimum focus distance still serves general macro needs but with less extreme magnification.

Shooting Experience Across Photography Genres

Let’s break down how each camera fares in popular genres based on our hands-on testing.

Portrait Photography: Skin Tones and Bokeh

• The P80’s wider aperture lets you achieve more subject-background separation. However, the small sensor limits true depth-of-field control, so expect softer bokeh effect versus larger-sensor cameras.
• Panasonic’s higher resolution helps capture more facial detail, but slower apertures make creating creamy backgrounds tougher.
• Neither camera offers eye-detection AF, so manual focus or relying on center AF is necessary.

Verdict: For natural skin tones with decent background blur, the P80 holds a slight edge; but for resolution and colors, the ZS30 shines.

Landscape Photography: Dynamic Range and Resolution

• The Panasonic ZS30’s higher megapixel count and better dynamic range (thanks to CMOS sensor) produce more detailed and nuanced landscapes.
• Zoom flexibility lets you compose with wide 24mm coverage.
• Neither camera features weather sealing, so be mindful shooting in rugged conditions.

Wildlife Photography: Autofocus and Burst Rates

• The ZS30’s continuous AF, tracking, and 10fps burst mode outperform the P80’s single AF and lack of continuous shooting.
• The P80’s 18x zoom covers longer reach, but image stabilization limitations and slower continuous shooting dampen wildlife shooting capability.

Sports Photography: Tracking Speed and Low Light

• The Panasonic’s faster autofocus and continuous shooting suit sports better.
• Neither camera excels in low light sports due to small sensor size and modest ISO performance.

Street Photography: Portability and Discretion

• The Panasonic ZS30’s compact size, lightweight body, and quieter operation make it the winner here.
• The Nikon P80 is larger and more noticeable, which can be intrusive in candid street scenes.

Macro Photography: Magnification and Focus

• Nikon P80 lets you focus as close as 1 cm, ideal for extreme close-ups.
• Panasonic’s 3 cm minimum focus is respectable but less specialized.

Night and Astrophotography: High ISO and Exposure Modes

• Both cameras max out at ISO 6400, but image noise is prominent due to small sensors.
• Neither supports RAW to salvage details in shadows.
• Lack of bulb mode limits long exposure flexibility.

Video Capabilities: Resolution and Stabilization

• Panasonic clearly leads here - full HD 1080p recording at 60fps is suitable for casual video and vlogging.
• The Nikon P80’s VGA video feels dated and insufficient for modern needs.

Travel Photography: Size, Versatility, and Battery

• The ZS30 is the better travel companion, with slim form, built-in GPS for geotagging, and 260-shot battery life.
• Nikon P80’s battery life isn’t specified but heavier body and older battery tech suggest shorter use.

Professional Use: Reliability and Workflow

• Neither camera supports RAW files, limiting workflow flexibility for professionals.
• Both have a modest build, lacking weather sealing, so less ideal for demanding professional shoots.
• Nikon’s lack of wireless connectivity delays instant sharing.
• Panasonic’s GPS and built-in Wi-Fi (though no Bluetooth or NFC) allow some in-field data management.

Battery and Storage Considerations

Both cameras accept SD cards (P80 supports SD/SDHC/MMC; ZS30 supports SD/SDHC/SDXC). The P80 uses the Nikon EN-EL5 battery, while the ZS30 uses a proprietary battery pack.

• Panasonic ZS30 offers 260 shots per charge, which is decent but you’ll want spares for intensive outings.
• Nikon P80 battery longevity is less documented, but aging lithium-ion tech may reduce stamina now.

Connectivity and Wireless Features

• Panasonic’s Wi-Fi and GPS provide conveniences for travel and content sharing, giving it a modern edge.
• Nikon lacks any wireless features or HDMI out, making it less adaptable in today’s connected workflows.

Price and Value: Which One Makes More Sense?

While both are discontinued models, the Panasonic ZS30 typically resells at a lower price due to age and market positioning. However, it packs more modern features, better sensor, and video capabilities, making it a better value choice if found at similar prices.

Sample Images: Real-World Output Comparison

Nikon P80 front Nikon P80 screen back Panasonic ZS30 front Panasonic ZS30 screen back

Examining side-by-side JPEG samples from both cameras reveals:

• Nikon P80: Vibrant colors with slightly warmer tones, acceptable detail at low ISO, but softness and noise creep in past ISO 400.
• Panasonic ZS30: Sharper images, better dynamic range, and more detailed textures. Noise control is superior at elevated ISOs.

Overall Performance Ratings

Based on our testing:

Performance by Photography Genre

Final Thoughts: Which Camera Should You Choose?

You now have a comprehensive look at the Nikon Coolpix P80 and the Panasonic Lumix ZS30. Both serve as entry points into the superzoom camera world but cater to slightly different priorities.

Why Consider the Nikon Coolpix P80?

• You want a larger, more ergonomic bridge-style camera with physical dials.
• You value the brighter maximum aperture on the zoom lens for portraits or lower light.
• You seek very close macro capabilities (1 cm focusing distance).
• You shoot mostly still subjects and require only single AF.
• Video quality and connectivity are less important to you.
• You appreciate a built-in electronic viewfinder for composing shots outdoors.

Why Choose the Panasonic Lumix ZS30?

• Portability and lightweight design are critical.
• You need higher resolution stills and better autofocus with continuous tracking.
• Full HD video at 60fps with optical image stabilization matters.
• You shoot wildlife, sports, or street scenes that require faster AF and quicker burst rates.
• Wi-Fi and GPS for travel convenience enhance your workflow.
• You tolerate smaller maximum apertures in exchange for versatility and modern features.
• Touchscreen operation appeals to you for speed and ease.

Getting Started & Recommendations

If you plan to explore superzoom photography on a budget and prioritize quality and versatility, the Panasonic Lumix ZS30 is a more modern, practical choice. For collectors or those who want an SLR-style bridge camera with a brighter lens and extreme macro prowess, the Nikon P80 still holds some charm.

Don’t forget to:

• Test these cameras in person if possible - handling size and interface preferences are personal.
• Choose accessories like spare batteries, high-speed SD cards, or a protective carrying case.
• Practice shooting in modes that suit your genre: manual or aperture priority for portraits, continuous AF for wildlife, and leverage the touchscreen on the ZS30 for rapid focus adjustments.
• Explore video features on the Panasonic if you’re venturing into hybrid photo-video content.

Closing Advice from Our Testing Experience

The Nikon P80 reflects advances circa 2009 - excellent for deliberate, composed photography with a tactile feel. The Panasonic ZS30 embraces a more mobile, connected photographic approach with improved speed and resolution.

Both deserve respect as stepping stones in the superzoom segment, but if your aim is a versatile, travel-ready companion camera with superior overall performance, the Panasonic ZS30 is our recommended pick.

As always, your next camera should feel like an extension of your creative vision - find the one that lets you get started, stay inspired, and capture moments beautifully.

Happy shooting!