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Nikon S30 vs Panasonic ZS30

Portability
90
Imaging
32
Features
18
Overall
26
Nikon Coolpix S30 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30 front
Portability
92
Imaging
41
Features
48
Overall
43

Nikon S30 vs Panasonic ZS30 Key Specs

Nikon S30
(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
  • Launched February 2012
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
  • Launched January 2013
  • Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-TZ40
  • Previous Model is Panasonic ZS25
  • Successor is Panasonic ZS35
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Nikon S30 vs Panasonic ZS30 Overview

Lets take a more detailed look at the Nikon S30 vs Panasonic ZS30, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by companies Nikon and Panasonic. There exists a considerable gap among the image resolutions of the S30 (10MP) and ZS30 (18MP) and the S30 (1/3") and ZS30 (1/2.3") come with different sensor dimensions.

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The S30 was unveiled 11 months earlier than the ZS30 so they are of a similar age. The two cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before getting through a complete comparison, below is a simple synopsis of how the S30 matches up versus the ZS30 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Nikon S30 over the Panasonic ZS30

 S30 ZS30 

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS30 over the Nikon S30

 ZS30 S30 
LaunchedJanuary 2013February 2012Newer by 11 months
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution920k230kCrisper display (+690k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Nikon S30 and Panasonic ZS30

 S30 ZS30 
Manual focus Lack of manual focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen

Nikon S30 vs Panasonic ZS30 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is planning to travel with your camera often, you'll have to think about its weight and proportions. The Nikon S30 enjoys outside dimensions of 102mm x 65mm x 40mm (4.0" x 2.6" x 1.6") along with a weight of 214 grams (0.47 lbs) whilst the Panasonic ZS30 has measurements of 105mm x 59mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") with a weight of 198 grams (0.44 lbs).

Look at the Nikon S30 vs Panasonic ZS30 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are using at that moment. The following is the front view measurement comparison of the S30 and the ZS30.

Nikon S30 vs Panasonic ZS30 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the S30 and ZS30 is 90 and 92 respectively.

Nikon S30 vs Panasonic ZS30 top view buttons comparison

Nikon S30 vs Panasonic ZS30 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is difficult to visualize the difference in sensor dimensions just by checking out specs. The picture here may offer you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the S30 and ZS30.

All in all, each of the cameras enjoy different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The S30 using its smaller sensor is going to make shooting shallower depth of field more difficult and the Panasonic ZS30 will show extra detail having an extra 8 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also let you crop pics far more aggressively. The more aged S30 will be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

Nikon S30 vs Panasonic ZS30 sensor size comparison

Nikon S30 vs Panasonic ZS30 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon S30 vs Panasonic ZS30 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon S30 Portrait photography advice
Panasonic ZS30 Portrait photography advice
24
comes with face detect focusing
focusing manually not possible
no manual mode
external flash not possible
MP count low (10 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/3")
has no RAW support
32
good resolution (18 megapixels)
manual focus not available
no external flash support
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Nikon S30 Street photography features
Panasonic ZS30 Street photography features
51
environment sealing
no articulating screen
no image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/3")
has no RAW support
heavier than competitors in class (214 grams)
66
built in image stabilization (Optical)
comes with focus by touch
lighter than competition (198 grams)
no moving screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Nikon S30 Sports photography details
Panasonic ZS30 Sports photography details
28
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
environment sealing
slow frames per second (1.5 fps)
no shutter priority
no image stabilization
MP count low (10MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/3")
has no phase detect AF
45
incredible zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (18 megapixels)
offers tracking focus
max shutter speed is low (1/1,200s)
small sensor (1/2.3")
not so great battery (260 per charge)
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Nikon S30
Travel photography with Panasonic ZS30
52
environment sealing
built-in flash
no Time Lapse recording
heavier than competitors in class (214 grams)
MP count low (10 megapixels)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
wide angle not fantastic (29mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
69
lighter than competition (198g)
comes with focus by touch
good resolution (18 megapixels)
built-in flash
relatively wide (24mm)
great reach (480mm)
no Timelapse function
not so great battery (260 shots)
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon S30
Landscape photography with Panasonic ZS30
25
environment sealing
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (29mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
small screen (2.7 inches)
no manual mode
no image stabilization
MP count low (10 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/3")
has no RAW support
no Time Lapse recording
43
relatively wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (18 megapixels)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
not so great battery (260 CIPA)
no Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon S30 Vlogging factors
Panasonic ZS30 Vlogging factors
23
comes with face detect focusing
wide angle not fantastic (29mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
no mic jack
heavier than competitors in class (214 grams)
35
relatively wide (24mm)
screen is touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition (198g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
display is not selfie friendly
no microphone support
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Nikon S30 vs Panasonic ZS30 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon S30 and Panasonic ZS30
 Nikon Coolpix S30Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30
General Information
Brand Nikon Panasonic
Model type Nikon Coolpix S30 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30
Also referred to as - Lumix DMC-TZ40
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2012-02-01 2013-01-07
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 4.8 x 3.6mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 17.3mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixels 18 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 3648 x 2736 4896 x 3672
Max native ISO 1600 6400
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points - 23
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 29-87mm (3.0x) 24-480mm (20.0x)
Max aperture f/3.3-5.9 f/3.3-6.4
Macro focusing range 5cm 3cm
Crop factor 7.5 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.7 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 230 thousand dots 920 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display tech TFT-LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 secs 15 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/1200 secs
Continuous shooting rate 1.5 frames per second 10.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance - 6.40 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow-sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720p (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30fps) 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 MPEG-4 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone support
Headphone support
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
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 214 grams (0.47 pounds) 198 grams (0.44 pounds)
Dimensions 102 x 65 x 40mm (4.0" x 2.6" x 1.6") 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 240 pictures 260 pictures
Form of battery AA Battery Pack
Battery ID 2 x AA -
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Cost at launch $119 $250