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Nikon S6500 vs Panasonic ZS30

Portability
92 Imaging
39 Features
51 Overall
43
Nikon Coolpix S6500 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30 front
Portability
92 Imaging
42 Features
48 Overall
44

Nikon S6500 vs Panasonic ZS30 Key Specs

Nikon S6500
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-300mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 250g - 95 x 58 x 26mm
  • Revealed 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
  • Other Name is Lumix DMC-TZ40
  • Superseded the Panasonic ZS25
  • Replacement is Panasonic ZS35
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Nikon S6500 vs Panasonic ZS30 Overview

In this write-up, we will be reviewing the Nikon S6500 versus Panasonic ZS30, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by brands Nikon and Panasonic. The image resolution of the S6500 (16MP) and the ZS30 (18MP) is relatively similar and they come with the same exact sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The S6500 was launched very close to the ZS30 and they are of a similar generation. Both of the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before going straight into a detailed comparison, below is a short synopsis of how the S6500 matches up versus the ZS30 for portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon S6500 over the Panasonic ZS30

          

          

            
 S6500 ZS30 
Manually focus  Dial precise focusing
          

        


        

          

            
Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS30 over the Nikon S6500

          

          

            
 ZS30 S6500 
Screen resolution920k460kClearer screen (+460k dot)
Touch friendly screen  Quickly navigate
          

        


        

          

            
Common features in the Nikon S6500 and Panasonic ZS30

          

          

            
 S6500 ZS30 
RevealedJanuary 2013January 2013Similar generation
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen sizing
Selfie screen  Neither has selfie screen
          

        

        

	
	
	
	

        

          

            
Nikon S6500 vs Panasonic ZS30 Physical Comparison

          

          

            
In case you're intending to carry around your camera frequently, you are going to need to consider its weight and measurements. The Nikon S6500 has outer measurements of 95mm x 58mm x 26mm (3.7" x 2.3" x 1.0") having a weight of 250 grams (0.55 lbs) while the Panasonic ZS30 has proportions of 105mm x 59mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") having a weight of 198 grams (0.44 lbs).
Check out the Nikon S6500 versus Panasonic ZS30 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses
Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you have chosen at that moment. Following is the front view measurement comparison of the S6500 against the ZS30.
Nikon S6500 vs Panasonic ZS30 size comparison
Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the S6500 and ZS30 is 92 and 92 respectively.
Nikon S6500 vs Panasonic ZS30 top view buttons comparison          

        


        

          

            
Nikon S6500 vs Panasonic ZS30 Sensor Comparison

          

          

            
In many cases, its hard to visualise the contrast between sensor sizes purely by going over a spec sheet. The picture here will help offer you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the S6500 and ZS30.
Clearly, both cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same resolution. You should count on the Panasonic ZS30 to deliver greater detail utilizing its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also help you crop shots a little more aggressively.

            Nikon S6500 vs Panasonic ZS30 sensor size comparison
          

        


        

          

            
Nikon S6500 vs Panasonic ZS30 Screen and ViewFinder

          

          

                      

          Nikon S6500 vs Panasonic ZS30 Screen and Viewfinder comparison        


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Photography Type Scores

          

        

        
Portrait Comparison
 Nikon S6500 as a Portrait photography camera
 Panasonic ZS30 as a Portrait photography camera
43
 you can focus manually
 sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
 includes face detect focus
 no external flash support
 sensor  is very small (1/2.3")
 lacks RAW files
33
 megapixel count decent (18MP)
 lack of manual focus
 external flash not possible
 sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
 no RAW format
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Street Comparison
 Nikon S6500 as a Street photography camera
 Panasonic ZS30 as a Street photography camera
62
 image stabilization (Optical)
 lighter than others (250g)
 no articulating screen
 sensor  is very small (1/2.3")
 lacks RAW files
66
 image stabilization (Optical)
 offers touch focus
 lighter than average in class (198 grams)
 screen is fixed
 sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
 no RAW format
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Sports Comparison
Nikon S6500 Sports photography advice
Panasonic ZS30 Sports photography advice
49
 image stabilization (Optical)
 sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
 includes tracking focus
 sensor  is very small (1/2.3")
 lacks phase detect auto focus
46
 great zoom range (24-480mm  20.0 x zoom)
 image stabilization (Optical)
 megapixel count decent (18 megapixels)
 offers tracking autofocus
 maximum shutter speed is a little low (1/1,200 seconds)
 sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
 not so great battery (260 shots)
 no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison
Nikon S6500 Travel photography highlights
Panasonic ZS30 Travel photography highlights
69
 lighter than others (250 grams)
 sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
 flash built-in
 rather wide (25mm)
 great zoom (300mm)
 lack of Timelapse recording
 screen isn't selfie friendly
 somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
69
 lighter than average in class (198g)
 offers touch focus
 megapixel count decent (18MP)
 has built in flash
 rather wide (24mm)
 great reach (480mm)
 missing Timelapse function
 not so great battery (260 per charge)
 doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
 slow max aperture (f3.3)
Photography Glossary
Landscape Comparison
 Nikon S6500 as a Landscape photography camera
 Panasonic ZS30 as a Landscape photography camera
49
 you can focus manually
 rather wide (25mm)
 screen size is decent (3")
 image stabilization (Optical)
 sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
 cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
 somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
 sensor  is very small (1/2.3")
 lacks RAW files
 lack of Timelapse recording
44
 rather wide (24mm)
 nice screen size (3")
 image stabilization (Optical)
 megapixel count decent (18MP)
 lack of manual focus
 can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
 slow max aperture (f3.3)
 sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
 no RAW format
 not so great battery (260 CIPA)
 missing Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison
Nikon S6500 Vlogging highlights
Panasonic ZS30 Vlogging highlights
34
 rather wide (25mm)
 image stabilization (Optical)
 includes face detect focus
 high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
 lighter than others (250g)
 somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
 screen isn't selfie friendly
 lack of microphone socket
35
 rather wide (24mm)
 touchscreen enabled
 image stabilization (Optical)
 high video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
 lighter than average in class (198g)
 slow max aperture (f3.3)
 doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
 missing external microphone port
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Nikon S6500 vs Panasonic ZS30 Specifications

          

          

                      


          

            Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon S6500 and Panasonic ZS30
 Nikon Coolpix S6500Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30
General Information
Company Nikon Panasonic
Model type Nikon Coolpix S6500 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30
Also called - Lumix DMC-TZ40
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2013-01-08 2013-01-07
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
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 alias filter    
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and  16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and  16:9
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 4896 x 3672
Maximum native ISO 3200 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW images    
Autofocusing
Focus manually    
Autofocus touch    
Continuous autofocus    
Autofocus single    
Tracking autofocus    
Selective autofocus    
Autofocus center weighted    
Autofocus multi area    
Autofocus live view    
Face detection focus    
Contract detection focus    
Phase detection focus    
Total focus points - 23
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-300mm (12.0x) 24-480mm (20.0x)
Maximal aperture f/2.8-5.9 f/3.3-6.4
Macro focusing distance 5cm 3cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 460k dot 920k dot
Selfie friendly    
Liveview    
Touch operation    
Screen tech AMOLED display -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 8s 15s
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000s 1/1200s
Continuous shooting speed 10.0 frames per sec 10.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority    
Aperture priority    
Manual exposure    
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance    
Image stabilization    
Inbuilt flash    
Flash distance 3.50 m 6.40 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe    
AE bracketing    
White balance bracketing    
Exposure
Multisegment    
Average    
Spot    
Partial    
AF area    
Center weighted    
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 480fps (176 x 128), 240fps (384 x 288) 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 jack    
Headphone jack    
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth    
NFC    
HDMI    
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn BuiltIn
Physical
Environment seal    
Water proofing    
Dust proofing    
Shock proofing    
Crush proofing    
Freeze proofing    
Weight 250 grams (0.55 lb) 198 grams (0.44 lb)
Dimensions 95 x 58 x 26mm (3.7" x 2.3" x 1.0") 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 - 260 pictures
Type of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID SLB-10A -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Double) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting    
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Pricing at launch $170 $250