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Nikon S5200 vs Panasonic ZS30

Portability
95
Imaging
39
Features
26
Overall
33
Nikon Coolpix S5200 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30 front
Portability
92
Imaging
42
Features
48
Overall
44

Nikon S5200 vs Panasonic ZS30 Key Specs

Nikon S5200
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 125 - 3200
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 26-156mm (F) lens
  • 146g - 98 x 58 x 22mm
  • Introduced January 2013
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
  • Revealed January 2013
  • Also Known as Lumix DMC-TZ40
  • Superseded the Panasonic ZS25
  • Later Model is Panasonic ZS35
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Nikon S5200 vs Panasonic ZS30 Overview

Here, we will be comparing the Nikon S5200 and Panasonic ZS30, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by rivals Nikon and Panasonic. The image resolution of the S5200 (16MP) and the ZS30 (18MP) is pretty close and both cameras boast the identical sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The S5200 was unveiled within a month of the ZS30 which means that they are both of a similar age. Both of the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before going straight to a step-by-step comparison, here is a simple overview of how the S5200 matches up against the ZS30 for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Nikon S5200 over the Panasonic ZS30

 S5200 ZS30 

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS30 over the Nikon S5200

 ZS30 S5200 
Screen resolution920k460kSharper screen (+460k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Nikon S5200 and Panasonic ZS30

 S5200 ZS30 
RevealedJanuary 2013January 2013Same age
Manually focus No manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen measurements
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen

Nikon S5200 vs Panasonic ZS30 Physical Comparison

If you're planning to lug around your camera frequently, you have to consider its weight and proportions. The Nikon S5200 enjoys outside dimensions of 98mm x 58mm x 22mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.9") having a weight of 146 grams (0.32 lbs) while 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).

See the Nikon S5200 and Panasonic ZS30 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you have chosen at the time. Underneath is a front view overall size comparison of the S5200 against the ZS30.

Nikon S5200 vs Panasonic ZS30 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the S5200 and ZS30 is 95 and 92 respectively.

Nikon S5200 vs Panasonic ZS30 top view buttons comparison

Nikon S5200 vs Panasonic ZS30 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it can be difficult to visualise the difference in sensor measurements merely by looking through a spec sheet. The visual underneath will provide you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the S5200 and ZS30.

As you can see, both of those cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit not the same MP. You can expect the Panasonic ZS30 to render extra detail having an extra 2MP. Higher resolution will also let you crop photographs way more aggressively.

Nikon S5200 vs Panasonic ZS30 sensor size comparison

Nikon S5200 vs Panasonic ZS30 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon S5200 vs Panasonic ZS30 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon S5200 Portrait photography info
Panasonic ZS30 Portrait photography info
30
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
focusing manually not possible
manual exposure not available
cannot use external flash
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
33
good MP (18 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
no external flash support
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon S5200 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic ZS30 as a Street photography camera
48
screen does not articulate
does not have image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
66
image stabilization (Optical)
includes touch to focus
lighter than others (198 grams)
screen is fixed
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Nikon S5200 Sports photography features
Panasonic ZS30 Sports photography features
27
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
lack of shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
not so great battery pack (160 shots)
lack of phase detect auto focus
46
great zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (18 megapixels)
comes with tracking autofocus
low max shutter speed (1/1,200 seconds)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
bad battery life (260 CIPA)
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon S5200 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic ZS30 as a Travel photography camera
68
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
rather wide (26mm)
very good maximum aperture (f)
does not have Time Lapse recording
not so great battery pack (160 per charge)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
69
lighter than others (198 grams)
includes touch to focus
good MP (18MP)
flash built-in
relatively wide (24mm)
long reach (480mm)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
bad battery life (260 per charge)
does not have a selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon S5200 Landscape photography details
Panasonic ZS30 Landscape photography details
41
rather wide (26mm)
very good maximum aperture (f)
nice screen size (3 inches)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
focusing manually not possible
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
manual exposure not available
does not have image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
not so great battery pack (160 CIPA)
does not have Time Lapse recording
44
relatively wide (24mm)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (18MP)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
bad battery life (260 CIPA)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon S5200 Vlogging advice
Panasonic ZS30 Vlogging advice
32
rather wide (26mm)
very good maximum aperture (f)
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
does not have external mic port
35
relatively wide (24mm)
touchscreen functionality
image stabilization (Optical)
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than others (198 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
does not have a selfie friendly display
doesn't have external microphone socket
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Nikon S5200 vs Panasonic ZS30 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon S5200 and Panasonic ZS30
 Nikon Coolpix S5200Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30
General Information
Brand Name Nikon Panasonic
Model type Nikon Coolpix S5200 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30
Also called as - Lumix DMC-TZ40
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2013-01-29 2013-01-07
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.16 x 4.62mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.5mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 18MP
Anti alias 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
Minimum native ISO 125 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points - 23
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 26-156mm (6.0x) 24-480mm (20.0x)
Max aperture - f/3.3-6.4
Macro focusing range - 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3" 3"
Resolution of display 460k dots 920k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display tech TFT-LCD with Anti-reflection coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 seconds 15 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/1200 seconds
Continuous shutter rate - 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance - 6.40 m
Flash modes - Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 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 data format - MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 146 grams (0.32 lb) 198 grams (0.44 lb)
Physical dimensions 98 x 58 x 22mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.9") 105 x 59 x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 160 shots 260 shots
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL19 -
Self timer - Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Retail price $130 $250