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Olympus XZ-2 iHS vs Panasonic ZS30

Portability
85
Imaging
37
Features
67
Overall
49
Olympus XZ-2 iHS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30 front
Portability
92
Imaging
42
Features
48
Overall
44

Olympus XZ-2 iHS vs Panasonic ZS30 Key Specs

Olympus XZ-2 iHS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-112mm (F1.8-2.5) lens
  • 346g - 113 x 65 x 48mm
  • Released December 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
  • Revealed January 2013
  • Also referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ40
  • Succeeded the Panasonic ZS25
  • New Model is Panasonic ZS35
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Olympus XZ-2 iHS vs Panasonic ZS30 Overview

Following is a in-depth comparison of the Olympus XZ-2 iHS and Panasonic ZS30, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by companies Olympus and Panasonic. There exists a huge gap among the image resolutions of the XZ-2 iHS (12MP) and ZS30 (18MP) and the XZ-2 iHS (1/1.7") and ZS30 (1/2.3") offer totally different sensor size.

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The XZ-2 iHS was released at a similar time to the ZS30 and they are of a similar generation. Each of these cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before delving into a detailed comparison, here is a simple highlight of how the XZ-2 iHS grades vs the ZS30 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus XZ-2 iHS over the Panasonic ZS30

 XZ-2 iHS ZS30 
Focus manually Dial exact focusing
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS30 over the Olympus XZ-2 iHS

 ZS30 XZ-2 iHS 

Common features in the Olympus XZ-2 iHS and Panasonic ZS30

 XZ-2 iHS ZS30 
RevealedDecember 2012January 2013Same generation
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen size
Screen resolution920k920kThe same screen resolution
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Olympus XZ-2 iHS vs Panasonic ZS30 Physical Comparison

For those who are aiming to carry around your camera often, you're going to have to think about its weight and dimensions. The Olympus XZ-2 iHS offers physical dimensions of 113mm x 65mm x 48mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.9") having a weight of 346 grams (0.76 lbs) whilst the Panasonic ZS30 has dimensions 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 XZ-2 iHS and Panasonic ZS30 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are employing during that time. Following is a front view proportions comparison of the XZ-2 iHS against the ZS30.

Olympus XZ-2 iHS vs Panasonic ZS30 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the XZ-2 iHS and ZS30 is 85 and 92 respectively.

Olympus XZ-2 iHS vs Panasonic ZS30 top view buttons comparison

Olympus XZ-2 iHS vs Panasonic ZS30 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is tough to see the gap in sensor sizes simply by researching specs. The picture below might give you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the XZ-2 iHS and ZS30.

As you can plainly see, the 2 cameras have different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The XZ-2 iHS because of its bigger sensor will make shooting bokeh simpler and the Panasonic ZS30 will provide you with greater detail as a result of its extra 6 Megapixels. Higher resolution will allow you to crop pictures a bit more aggressively.

Olympus XZ-2 iHS vs Panasonic ZS30 sensor size comparison

Olympus XZ-2 iHS vs Panasonic ZS30 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus XZ-2 iHS vs Panasonic ZS30 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus XZ-2 iHS as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic ZS30 as a Portrait photography camera
46
has manual focus
features face detection autofocus
delivers RAW formats
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/1.7")
33
sensor resolution is decent (18 megapixels)
manual focus not available
can't use external flash
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Olympus XZ-2 iHS Street photography details
Panasonic ZS30 Street photography details
66
screen tilts
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
delivers RAW formats
sensor is very small (1/1.7")
heavier than competitors in class (346 grams)
66
built in image stabilization (Optical)
has touch to focus
lighter than competition (198 grams)
no articulating screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus XZ-2 iHS
Sports photography with Panasonic ZS30
43
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
features tracking autofocus
great battery life (340 per charge)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/1.7")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
46
great zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (18 megapixels)
supports tracking focus
maximum shutter speed is a little low (1/1,200 seconds)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
low battery pack (260 CIPA)
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus XZ-2 iHS Travel photography info
Panasonic ZS30 Travel photography info
61
great battery life (340 CIPA)
flash built-in
relatively wide (28mm)
fast max aperture (f1.8)
missing Time Lapse mode
heavier than competitors in class (346 grams)
low megapixels (12MP)
does not offer selfie friendly display
69
lighter than competition (198g)
has touch to focus
sensor resolution is decent (18MP)
has built in flash
rather wide (24mm)
great zoom (480mm)
lack of Timelapse recording
low battery pack (260 CIPA)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus XZ-2 iHS Landscape photography features
Panasonic ZS30 Landscape photography features
55
has manual focus
relatively wide (28mm)
fast max aperture (f1.8)
screen size is good (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
delivers RAW formats
great battery life (340 shots)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/1.7")
missing Time Lapse mode
44
rather wide (24mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (18MP)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
low battery pack (260 per charge)
lack of Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus XZ-2 iHS
Vlogging with Panasonic ZS30
36
relatively wide (28mm)
fast max aperture (f1.8)
screen is touchscreen
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
features face detection autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
includes external mic socket
does not offer selfie friendly display
heavier than competitors in class (346 grams)
35
rather wide (24mm)
screen is touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition (198 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
lack of microphone support
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Olympus XZ-2 iHS vs Panasonic ZS30 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus XZ-2 iHS and Panasonic ZS30
 Olympus XZ-2 iHSPanasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30
General Information
Company Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus XZ-2 iHS Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30
Also called - Lumix DMC-TZ40
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2012-12-18 2013-01-07
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/1.7" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 7.44 x 5.58mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 41.5mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 18MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 3968 x 2976 4896 x 3672
Max native ISO 12800 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 35 23
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-112mm (4.0x) 24-480mm (20.0x)
Highest aperture f/1.8-2.5 f/3.3-6.4
Macro focus distance 1cm 3cm
Crop factor 4.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Tilting Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 920k dots 920k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) None
Features
Min shutter speed 60 seconds 15 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/1200 seconds
Continuous shutter rate - 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 8.60 m (ISO 800) 6.40 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Wireless Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (220 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 346g (0.76 lb) 198g (0.44 lb)
Physical dimensions 113 x 65 x 48mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.9") 105 x 59 x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 49 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 20.4 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 11.3 not tested
DXO Low light score 216 not tested
Other
Battery life 340 photographs 260 photographs
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model Li-90B -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Cost at release $450 $250