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Nikon Z50 vs Panasonic ZS30

Portability
74
Imaging
68
Features
84
Overall
74
Nikon Z50 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30 front
Portability
92
Imaging
42
Features
48
Overall
44

Nikon Z50 vs Panasonic ZS30 Key Specs

Nikon Z50
(Full Review)
  • 21MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Boost to 204800)
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon Z Mount
  • 397g - 127 x 94 x 60mm
  • Launched October 2019
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
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-TZ40
  • Succeeded the Panasonic ZS25
  • Newer Model is Panasonic ZS35
Photography Glossary

Nikon Z50 vs Panasonic ZS30 Overview

Let's look more closely at the Nikon Z50 vs Panasonic ZS30, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by competitors Nikon and Panasonic. The image resolution of the Z50 (21MP) and the ZS30 (18MP) is fairly comparable but the Z50 (APS-C) and ZS30 (1/2.3") come with different sensor dimensions.

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The Z50 was launched 6 years later than the ZS30 and that is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Nikon Z50 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic ZS30 being a Compact camera.

Before getting through a step-by-step comparison, below is a simple synopsis of how the Z50 grades against the ZS30 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon Z50 over the Panasonic ZS30

 Z50 ZS30 
LaunchedOctober 2019January 2013Fresher by 83 months
Manual focus More exact focusing
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display sizing3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution1040k920kCrisper display (+120k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS30 over the Nikon Z50

 ZS30 Z50 

Common features in the Nikon Z50 and Panasonic ZS30

 Z50 ZS30 
Touch display Easily navigate

Nikon Z50 vs Panasonic ZS30 Physical Comparison

When you are planning to carry your camera, you'll have to factor in its weight and size. The Nikon Z50 features exterior dimensions of 127mm x 94mm x 60mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 2.4") with a weight of 397 grams (0.88 lbs) and the Panasonic ZS30 has specifications of 105mm x 59mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") with a weight of 198 grams (0.44 lbs).

Check out the Nikon Z50 vs Panasonic ZS30 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you select at that moment. Following is the front view proportions comparison of the Z50 vs the ZS30.

Nikon Z50 vs Panasonic ZS30 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the Z50 and ZS30 is 74 and 92 respectively.

Nikon Z50 vs Panasonic ZS30 top view buttons comparison

Nikon Z50 vs Panasonic ZS30 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is tough to picture the difference in sensor sizing just by going through specifications. The graphic underneath should provide you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the Z50 and ZS30.

Plainly, each of the cameras enjoy different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The Z50 due to its larger sensor is going to make achieving shallow DOF simpler and the Nikon Z50 will provide greater detail utilizing its extra 3MP. Greater resolution will also let you crop images far more aggressively. The more recent Z50 provides an edge in sensor innovation.

Nikon Z50 vs Panasonic ZS30 sensor size comparison

Nikon Z50 vs Panasonic ZS30 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon Z50 vs Panasonic ZS30 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon Z50 Portrait photography features
Panasonic ZS30 Portrait photography features
80
focusing manually
decent sensor resolution (21MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
offers face detect focusing
saves RAW formats
33
resolution is good (18MP)
no manual focus
cannot use external flash
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon Z50 Street photography highlights
Panasonic ZS30 Street photography highlights
73
screen tilts
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
supports focus via touch
environment proofing
good ISO range (51,200)
lack of image stabilization
more heavy than competition in class (397 grams)
66
image stabilization (Optical)
boasts focus by touch
lighter than competition in class (198 grams)
no moving screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Nikon Z50 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic ZS30 as a Sports photography camera
75
decent sensor resolution (21 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
offers tracking focus
environment proofing
supports phase detect AF
lack of image stabilization
46
incredible zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (18MP)
offers tracking autofocus
max shutter speed is low (1/1,200s)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
bad battery pack (260 CIPA)
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon Z50 Travel photography features
Panasonic ZS30 Travel photography features
77
environment proofing
has bluetooth
supports focus via touch
decent sensor resolution (21 megapixels)
flash built-in
selfie friendly screen
more heavy than competition in class (397 grams)
69
lighter than competition in class (198 grams)
boasts focus by touch
resolution is good (18 megapixels)
built-in flash
relatively wide (24mm)
very long reach (480mm)
missing Timelapse function
bad battery pack (260 per charge)
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon Z50 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic ZS30 as a Landscape photography camera
79
focusing manually
swap lenses (Nikon Z mount)
decent sized screen (3.2 inches)
decent sensor resolution (21 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
good ISO range (51,200)
saves RAW formats
environment proofing
lack of image stabilization
44
relatively wide (24mm)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (18MP)
no manual focus
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
bad battery pack (260 per charge)
missing Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Nikon Z50
Vlogging with Panasonic ZS30
71
selfie friendly screen
touchscreen capability
offers face detect focusing
high video quality (3840 x 2160 pxls)
comes with microphone jack
lack of image stabilization
more heavy than competition in class (397g)
35
relatively wide (24mm)
built-in touchscreen
image stabilization (Optical)
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition in class (198 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
display is not selfie friendly
missing external microphone support
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Nikon Z50 vs Panasonic ZS30 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon Z50 and Panasonic ZS30
 Nikon Z50Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30
General Information
Make Nikon Panasonic
Model type Nikon Z50 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30
Otherwise known as - Lumix DMC-TZ40
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2019-10-10 2013-01-07
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Expeed 6 -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 23.5 x 15.7mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 369.0mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 21 megapixels 18 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 5568 x 3712 4896 x 3672
Max native ISO 51200 6400
Max enhanced ISO 204800 -
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 209 23
Lens
Lens mount type Nikon Z fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 24-480mm (20.0x)
Largest aperture - f/3.3-6.4
Macro focusing range - 3cm
Amount of lenses 15 -
Focal length multiplier 1.5 5.8
Screen
Type of display Tilting Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3.2 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 1,040 thousand dots 920 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 2,360 thousand dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Features
Min shutter speed 30 secs 15 secs
Max shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/1200 secs
Continuous shutter rate 11.0 frames per sec 10.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 7.00 m (at ISO 100) 6.40 m
Flash settings - Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, 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)
Max video resolution 3840x2160 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone support
Headphone support
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 397 grams (0.88 lb) 198 grams (0.44 lb)
Dimensions 127 x 94 x 60mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 2.4") 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 320 pictures 260 pictures
Battery style Built-in Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL25 -
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-II supported) SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots One One
Retail price $857 $250