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Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic ZS30

Portability
89
Imaging
40
Features
36
Overall
38
Olympus SZ-16 iHS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30 front
Portability
92
Imaging
42
Features
48
Overall
44

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic ZS30 Key Specs

Olympus SZ-16 iHS
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-600mm (F3.0-6.9) lens
  • 226g - 108 x 70 x 40mm
  • Launched 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
  • Released January 2013
  • Additionally referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ40
  • Replaced the Panasonic ZS25
  • Replacement is Panasonic ZS35
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Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic ZS30 Overview

Lets look more closely at the Olympus SZ-16 iHS versus Panasonic ZS30, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by manufacturers Olympus and Panasonic. The resolution of the SZ-16 iHS (16MP) and the ZS30 (18MP) is pretty similar and they come with the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The SZ-16 iHS was launched at a similar time to the ZS30 so they are of a similar age. Both the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before diving in to a comprehensive comparison, below is a simple overview of how the SZ-16 iHS scores versus the ZS30 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-16 iHS over the Panasonic ZS30

 SZ-16 iHS ZS30 

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS30 over the Olympus SZ-16 iHS

 ZS30 SZ-16 iHS 
Screen resolution920k460kCrisper screen (+460k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Olympus SZ-16 iHS and Panasonic ZS30

 SZ-16 iHS ZS30 
ReleasedJanuary 2013January 2013Similar age
Manually focus Lack of manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen dimensions
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic ZS30 Physical Comparison

For those who are going to carry around your camera often, you need to take into account its weight and volume. The Olympus SZ-16 iHS comes with physical measurements of 108mm x 70mm x 40mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.6") with a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) and the Panasonic ZS30 has sizing 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-16 iHS versus 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 depending on the lens you have chosen at that time. Following is the front view over all size comparison of the SZ-16 iHS vs the ZS30.

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic ZS30 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the SZ-16 iHS and ZS30 is 89 and 92 respectively.

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic ZS30 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic ZS30 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, its tough to visualise the gap between sensor sizes simply by going over specs. The pic here might provide you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the SZ-16 iHS and ZS30.

As you can plainly see, both of these cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same megapixels. You can expect the Panasonic ZS30 to offer extra detail utilizing its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will allow you to crop shots a little more aggressively.

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic ZS30 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic ZS30 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic ZS30 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS Portrait photography details
Panasonic ZS30 Portrait photography details
35
megapixel count good (16MP)
comes with face detect autofocus
manual focus not available
no manual control
cannot use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
33
MP count good (18MP)
manual focus not available
cannot use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS Street photography info
Panasonic ZS30 Street photography info
61
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competitors (226 grams)
fixed screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
66
image stabilization (Optical)
provides focus via touch
lighter than competition (198g)
no articulating screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus SZ-16 iHS
Sports photography with Panasonic ZS30
42
incredible zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
comes with tracking focus
slow frames per second (2.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
very small sensor (1/2.3")
bad battery life (220 shots)
no phase detect autofocus
46
excellent zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (18MP)
has tracking focus
low max shutter speed (1/1,200s)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
low battery pack (260 shots)
lacks phase detect AF
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic ZS30 as a Travel photography camera
65
lighter than competitors (226g)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
quite wide (25mm)
very long reach (600mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
bad battery life (220 CIPA)
does not posses selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f3.0)
69
lighter than competition (198 grams)
provides focus via touch
MP count good (18 megapixels)
has built in flash
decently wide (24mm)
long zoom (480mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
low battery pack (260 CIPA)
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS Landscape photography highlights
Panasonic ZS30 Landscape photography highlights
41
quite wide (25mm)
good sized screen (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
manual focus not available
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.0)
no manual control
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
bad battery life (220 CIPA)
does not have Time Lapse mode
44
decently wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (18 megapixels)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
low battery pack (260 per charge)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus SZ-16 iHS
Vlogging with Panasonic ZS30
31
quite wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
comes with face detect autofocus
lighter than competitors (226g)
slow max aperture (f3.0)
does not posses selfie friendly display
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have mic support
35
decently wide (24mm)
screen is touchscreen
image stabilization (Optical)
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition (198 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
display isn't selfie friendly
doesn't have mic socket
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Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Panasonic ZS30 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-16 iHS and Panasonic ZS30
 Olympus SZ-16 iHSPanasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30
General Information
Company Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus SZ-16 iHS Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30
Also called as - Lumix DMC-TZ40
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2013-01-08 2013-01-07
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 18 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 4896 x 3672
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
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)
Max aperture f/3.0-6.9 f/3.3-6.4
Macro focus distance - 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 460 thousand dots 920 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display technology TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 4 seconds 15 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/1200 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 2.0 frames per second 10.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range - 6.40 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
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 data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic port
Headphone port
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 gr (0.50 lbs) 198 gr (0.44 lbs)
Dimensions 108 x 70 x 40mm (4.3" x 2.8" 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 images 260 images
Battery type 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 feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Cost at release $230 $250