Nikon S30 vs Panasonic ZR1
90 Imaging
32 Features
18 Overall
26


94 Imaging
34 Features
17 Overall
27
Nikon S30 vs Panasonic ZR1 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 10MP - 1/3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Display
- ISO 80 - 1600
- 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
- 1280 x 720 video
- 29-87mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
- 214g - 102 x 65 x 40mm
- Introduced February 2012
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 6400
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 25-200mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
- 158g - 98 x 55 x 26mm
- Launched July 2009
- Also Known as Lumix DMC-ZX1

Nikon S30 vs Panasonic ZR1 Overview
Lets look much closer at the Nikon S30 and Panasonic ZR1, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by companies Nikon and Panasonic. The resolution of the S30 (10MP) and the ZR1 (12MP) is relatively similar but the S30 (1/3") and ZR1 (1/2.3") provide different sensor size.

The S30 was released 2 years later than the ZR1 and that is quite a significant difference as far as technology is concerned. Both cameras feature the same body design (Compact).
Before diving into a detailed comparison, here is a short summation of how the S30 grades vs the ZR1 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Nikon S30 vs Panasonic ZR1 Gallery
Here is a preview of the gallery photos for Nikon Coolpix S30 & Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1. The complete galleries are available at Nikon S30 Gallery & Panasonic ZR1 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon S30 over the Panasonic ZR1
S30 | ZR1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | February 2012 | ![]() | July 2009 | More recent by 31 months |
Reasons to pick Panasonic ZR1 over the Nikon S30
ZR1 | S30 |
---|
Common features in the Nikon S30 and Panasonic ZR1
S30 | ZR1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | No manual focusing | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen size | 2.7" | ![]() | 2.7" | Same screen size |
Screen resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | Same screen resolution |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither has selfie screen | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Neither has Touch screen |
Nikon S30 vs Panasonic ZR1 Physical Comparison
If you're looking to lug around your camera often, you'll have to factor in its weight and measurements. The Nikon S30 has exterior measurements of 102mm x 65mm x 40mm (4.0" x 2.6" x 1.6") with a weight of 214 grams (0.47 lbs) while the Panasonic ZR1 has proportions of 98mm x 55mm x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0") having a weight of 158 grams (0.35 lbs).
Contrast the Nikon S30 and Panasonic ZR1 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you have attached during that time. Following is a front view dimensions comparison of the S30 versus the ZR1.

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the S30 and ZR1 is 90 and 94 respectively.

Nikon S30 vs Panasonic ZR1 Sensor Comparison
Sometimes, it is very difficult to visualize the contrast between sensor measurements just by going over technical specs. The photograph here will give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the S30 and ZR1.
As you can tell, both cameras come with different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The S30 because of its tinier sensor is going to make achieving shallow depth of field tougher and the Panasonic ZR1 will offer you more detail as a result of its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop shots a good deal more aggressively. The younger S30 provides an advantage in sensor technology.

Nikon S30 vs Panasonic ZR1 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon S30 vs Panasonic ZR1 Specifications
Nikon Coolpix S30 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Make | Nikon | Panasonic |
Model | Nikon Coolpix S30 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1 |
Also referred to as | - | Lumix DMC-ZX1 |
Class | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Compact |
Introduced | 2012-02-01 | 2009-07-27 |
Body design | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | - | Venus Engine V |
Sensor type | CCD | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor measurements | 4.8 x 3.6mm | 6.08 x 4.56mm |
Sensor surface area | 17.3mm² | 27.7mm² |
Sensor resolution | 10 megapixel | 12 megapixel |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 16:9 | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Highest Possible resolution | 3648 x 2736 | 4000 x 3000 |
Maximum native ISO | 1600 | 6400 |
Lowest native ISO | 80 | 80 |
RAW pictures | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
AF touch | ||
AF continuous | ||
Single AF | ||
AF tracking | ||
AF selectice | ||
AF center weighted | ||
Multi area AF | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detect AF | ||
Contract detect AF | ||
Phase detect AF | ||
Number of focus points | - | 11 |
Cross focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 29-87mm (3.0x) | 25-200mm (8.0x) |
Max aperture | f/3.3-5.9 | f/3.3-5.9 |
Macro focus range | 5cm | 3cm |
Focal length multiplier | 7.5 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display diagonal | 2.7 inch | 2.7 inch |
Resolution of display | 230k dot | 230k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch operation | ||
Display tech | TFT-LCD | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 30 secs | 60 secs |
Max shutter speed | 1/8000 secs | 1/2000 secs |
Continuous shutter speed | 1.5fps | 2.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Custom WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash range | - | 5.10 m |
Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow-sync | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync |
Hot shoe | ||
AE bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1280 x 720p (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30fps) | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | 1280x720 | 1280x720 |
Video data format | MPEG-4 | Motion JPEG |
Microphone input | ||
Headphone input | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental seal | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 214g (0.47 lb) | 158g (0.35 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 102 x 65 x 40mm (4.0" x 2.6" x 1.6") | 98 x 55 x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0") |
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 | 240 shots | - |
Battery format | AA | - |
Battery model | 2 x AA | - |
Self timer | Yes | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Storage media | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC card, Internal |
Storage slots | Single | Single |
Pricing at release | $119 | $280 |