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Nikon Z5 vs Panasonic ZS30

Portability
62
Imaging
76
Features
86
Overall
80
Nikon Z5 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30 front
Portability
92
Imaging
42
Features
48
Overall
44

Nikon Z5 vs Panasonic ZS30 Key Specs

Nikon Z5
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Expand to 102400)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon Z Mount
  • 675g - 134 x 101 x 70mm
  • Released July 2020
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
  • Launched January 2013
  • Additionally referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ40
  • Superseded the Panasonic ZS25
  • New Model is Panasonic ZS35
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Nikon Z5 vs Panasonic ZS30 Overview

Below, we will be analyzing the Nikon Z5 and Panasonic ZS30, former is a Advanced Mirrorless while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by rivals Nikon and Panasonic. There exists a considerable gap among the image resolutions of the Z5 (24MP) and ZS30 (18MP) and the Z5 (Full frame) and ZS30 (1/2.3") possess totally different sensor sizing.

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The Z5 was unveiled 7 years after the ZS30 which is a fairly large difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of these cameras come with different body type with the Nikon Z5 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic ZS30 being a Compact camera.

Before getting in to a comprehensive comparison, below is a brief synopsis of how the Z5 scores vs the ZS30 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Nikon Z5 over the Panasonic ZS30

 Z5 ZS30 
LaunchedJuly 2020January 2013Newer by 92 months
Manual focus More accurate focus
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen dimension3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution1040k920kClearer screen (+120k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS30 over the Nikon Z5

 ZS30 Z5 

Common features in the Nikon Z5 and Panasonic ZS30

 Z5 ZS30 
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Nikon Z5 vs Panasonic ZS30 Physical Comparison

If you're looking to travel with your camera, you'll need to think about its weight and volume. The Nikon Z5 has exterior measurements of 134mm x 101mm x 70mm (5.3" x 4.0" x 2.8") having a weight of 675 grams (1.49 lbs) and the Panasonic ZS30 has sizing 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 Z5 and Panasonic ZS30 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you have chosen at that moment. Underneath is the front view over all size comparison of the Z5 versus the ZS30.

Nikon Z5 vs Panasonic ZS30 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the Z5 and ZS30 is 62 and 92 respectively.

Nikon Z5 vs Panasonic ZS30 top view buttons comparison

Nikon Z5 vs Panasonic ZS30 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, its hard to envision the difference in sensor dimensions purely by researching specs. The image underneath will help give you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the Z5 and ZS30.

As you can plainly see, both of these cameras posses different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The Z5 using its bigger sensor will make getting shallower depth of field less difficult and the Nikon Z5 will result in extra detail having an extra 6MP. Higher resolution will let you crop pictures somewhat more aggressively. The newer Z5 is going to have an edge in sensor tech.

Nikon Z5 vs Panasonic ZS30 sensor size comparison

Nikon Z5 vs Panasonic ZS30 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon Z5 vs Panasonic ZS30 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon Z5 Portrait photography information
Panasonic ZS30 Portrait photography information
85
focusing manually
good resolution (24MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
comes with face detection autofocus
supports RAW formats
33
resolution is good (18MP)
no manual focus
no external flash support
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Nikon Z5
Street photography with Panasonic ZS30
74
screen tilts up and down
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
supports RAW formats
has touch to focus
environment sealing
very good ISO range (51,200)
heavier than competitors in class (675g)
66
image stabilization (Optical)
provides focus via touch
lighter than others (198 grams)
no articulating screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Nikon Z5 Sports photography highlights
Panasonic ZS30 Sports photography highlights
82
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good resolution (24 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
comes with tracking autofocus
environment sealing
good battery pack (470 per charge)
has phase detect autofocus
slow continuous shooting (4.5 frames per second)
46
excellent zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (18MP)
has tracking autofocus
low max shutter speed (1/1,200 seconds)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
terrible battery power (260 CIPA)
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon Z5 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic ZS30 as a Travel photography camera
68
good battery pack (470 per charge)
environment sealing
supports bluetooth
has touch to focus
good resolution (24MP)
heavier than competitors in class (675g)
display is not selfie friendly
69
lighter than others (198g)
provides focus via touch
resolution is good (18MP)
built-in flash
decently wide (24mm)
great reach (480mm)
no Time Lapse function
terrible battery power (260 per charge)
display is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon Z5 Landscape photography highlights
Panasonic ZS30 Landscape photography highlights
86
focusing manually
switch lenses (Nikon Z mount)
nice screen size (3.2 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good resolution (24MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
very good ISO range (51,200)
supports RAW formats
environment sealing
good battery pack (470 per charge)
has double storage slots
44
decently wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (18 megapixels)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
terrible battery power (260 per charge)
no Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon Z5 Vlogging info
Panasonic ZS30 Vlogging info
34
touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
comes with face detection autofocus
video res high (3840 x 2160 pixels)
has external mic port
display is not selfie friendly
heavier than competitors in class (675g)
35
decently wide (24mm)
touch screen
image stabilization (Optical)
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than others (198g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
display is not selfie friendly
no external mic socket
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Nikon Z5 vs Panasonic ZS30 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon Z5 and Panasonic ZS30
 Nikon Z5Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30
General Information
Make Nikon Panasonic
Model type Nikon Z5 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30
Also referred to as - Lumix DMC-TZ40
Type Advanced Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2020-07-20 2013-01-07
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Expeed 6 -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 35.9 x 23.9mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 858.0mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 24MP 18MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 6016 x 4016 4896 x 3672
Highest native ISO 51200 6400
Highest boosted ISO 102400 -
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Min boosted ISO 50 -
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 273 23
Lens
Lens support Nikon Z fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 24-480mm (20.0x)
Largest aperture - f/3.3-6.4
Macro focusing distance - 3cm
Amount of lenses 15 -
Focal length multiplier 1 5.8
Screen
Type of display Tilting Fixed Type
Display size 3.2" 3"
Resolution of display 1,040 thousand dots 920 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 3,690 thousand dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.8x -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 secs 15 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/1200 secs
Continuous shooting rate 4.5 frames per second 10.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 6.40 m
Flash modes Front-curtain sync, slow sync, rear-curtain sync, red-eye reduction, red-eye reduction with slow sync, slow rear-curtain sync, off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/200 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 24p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 60p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 50p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 25p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 24p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (220 fps)
Highest video resolution 3840x2160 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB Yes USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 675 grams (1.49 pounds) 198 grams (0.44 pounds)
Dimensions 134 x 101 x 70mm (5.3" x 4.0" x 2.8") 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 470 photos 260 photos
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL15c -
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 secs) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II compatible) SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots Dual One
Cost at launch $1,399 $250