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Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic ZS30

Portability
89
Imaging
38
Features
36
Overall
37
Olympus SZ-12 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30 front
Portability
92
Imaging
42
Features
48
Overall
44

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic ZS30 Key Specs

Olympus SZ-12
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-600mm (F3.0-6.9) lens
  • 226g - 106 x 69 x 40mm
  • Revealed January 2012
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
  • Announced January 2013
  • Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-TZ40
  • Succeeded the Panasonic ZS25
  • Later Model is Panasonic ZS35
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Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic ZS30 Overview

Lets take a closer look at the Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic ZS30, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by manufacturers Olympus and Panasonic. There exists a big gap between the resolutions of the SZ-12 (14MP) and ZS30 (18MP) but both cameras posses the same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The SZ-12 was introduced 12 months earlier than the ZS30 so they are of a similar generation. Both cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before we go straight to a in depth comparison, here is a brief summary of how the SZ-12 grades versus the ZS30 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-12 over the Panasonic ZS30

 SZ-12 ZS30 

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS30 over the Olympus SZ-12

 ZS30 SZ-12 
AnnouncedJanuary 2013January 2012Newer by 12 months
Screen resolution920k460kSharper screen (+460k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Olympus SZ-12 and Panasonic ZS30

 SZ-12 ZS30 
Focus manually No manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen sizing
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic ZS30 Physical Comparison

If you are going to travel with your camera often, you'll have to take into account its weight and size. The Olympus SZ-12 has outside dimensions of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") and a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) whilst the Panasonic ZS30 has specifications of 105mm x 59mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") having a weight of 198 grams (0.44 lbs).

Look at the Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic ZS30 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you have at that time. Below is a front view measurements comparison of the SZ-12 against the ZS30.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic ZS30 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SZ-12 and ZS30 is 89 and 92 respectively.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic ZS30 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic ZS30 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is very difficult to envision the difference between sensor dimensions just by looking at a spec sheet. The pic underneath will help offer you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the SZ-12 and ZS30.

As you can see, both the cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same resolution. You should expect the Panasonic ZS30 to give you extra detail using its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will also help you crop pictures a bit more aggressively. The more aged SZ-12 is going to be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic ZS30 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic ZS30 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic ZS30 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Portrait photography advice
Panasonic ZS30 Portrait photography advice
34
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
provides face detection autofocus
lack of manual focus
no manual exposure
can't use external flash
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
33
sensor resolution is decent (18MP)
manual focus not available
no external flash support
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic ZS30 as a Street photography camera
60
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than average in class (226g)
screen is fixed
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
66
image stabilization (Optical)
provides focus by touch
lighter than competition in class (198 grams)
no articulating screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Sports photography features
Panasonic ZS30 Sports photography features
41
incredible zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count good (14MP)
provides tracking autofocus
slow frames per second (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
bad battery (220 per charge)
does not have phase detect autofocus
46
long zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (18MP)
offers tracking focus
low max shutter speed (1/1,200s)
small sensor (1/2.3")
low battery pack (260 per charge)
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus SZ-12
Travel photography with Panasonic ZS30
65
lighter than average in class (226 grams)
megapixel count good (14MP)
built-in flash
quite wide (25mm)
very long zoom (600mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
bad battery (220 CIPA)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
69
lighter than competition in class (198g)
provides focus by touch
sensor resolution is decent (18 megapixels)
has built in flash
pretty wide (24mm)
great zoom (480mm)
does not have Timelapse mode
low battery pack (260 per charge)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Landscape photography features
Panasonic ZS30 Landscape photography features
40
quite wide (25mm)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count good (14MP)
lack of manual focus
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
no manual exposure
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
bad battery (220 shots)
does not have Time Lapse mode
44
pretty wide (24mm)
screen is a decent size (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (18MP)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
low battery pack (260 per charge)
does not have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Vlogging features
Panasonic ZS30 Vlogging features
31
quite wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
provides face detection autofocus
lighter than average in class (226g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have external mic socket
35
pretty wide (24mm)
screen is touchscreen
image stabilization (Optical)
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition in class (198 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
does not have microphone support
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Olympus SZ-12 vs Panasonic ZS30 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-12 and Panasonic ZS30
 Olympus SZ-12Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30
General Information
Company Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus SZ-12 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30
Also referred to as - Lumix DMC-TZ40
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2012-01-10 2013-01-07
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 18 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4288 x 3216 4896 x 3672
Maximum native ISO 1600 6400
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points - 23
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-600mm (24.0x) 24-480mm (20.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.0-6.9 f/3.3-6.4
Macro focus range - 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 460k dots 920k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen tech TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 4 seconds 15 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/1700 seconds 1/1200 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 1.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range - 6.40 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 180 (30fps) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (220 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 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
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 226 grams (0.50 pounds) 198 grams (0.44 pounds)
Physical dimensions 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") 105 x 59 x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 220 photographs 260 photographs
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model LI-50B -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots One One
Launch cost $350 $250