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Panasonic G9 vs Panasonic ZS30

Portability
62
Imaging
60
Features
90
Overall
72
Panasonic Lumix DC-G9 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30 front
Portability
92
Imaging
42
Features
48
Overall
44

Panasonic G9 vs Panasonic ZS30 Key Specs

Panasonic G9
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 658g - 137 x 97 x 92mm
  • Revealed November 2017
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
  • Also referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ40
  • Old Model is Panasonic ZS25
  • Later Model is Panasonic ZS35
Photography Glossary

Panasonic G9 vs Panasonic ZS30 Overview

Its time to look more closely at the Panasonic G9 and Panasonic ZS30, one is a Pro Mirrorless and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both of them are built by Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the G9 (20MP) and the ZS30 (18MP) is pretty similar but the G9 (Four Thirds) and ZS30 (1/2.3") posses totally different sensor measurements.

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The G9 was revealed 4 years after the ZS30 which is quite a big gap as far as tech is concerned. Both of these cameras have different body design with the Panasonic G9 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic ZS30 being a Compact camera.

Before getting right into a more detailed comparison, here is a short synopsis of how the G9 scores versus the ZS30 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic G9 over the Panasonic ZS30

 G9 ZS30 
ReleasedNovember 2017January 2013More modern by 59 months
Manual focus Very exact focus
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen resolution1040k920kClearer screen (+120k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS30 over the Panasonic G9

 ZS30 G9 

Common features in the Panasonic G9 and Panasonic ZS30

 G9 ZS30 
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen measurements
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Panasonic G9 vs Panasonic ZS30 Physical Comparison

For those who are planning to carry around your camera, you're going to have to think about its weight and proportions. The Panasonic G9 has external measurements of 137mm x 97mm x 92mm (5.4" x 3.8" x 3.6") accompanied by a weight of 658 grams (1.45 lbs) whilst the Panasonic ZS30 has measurements of 105mm x 59mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") and a weight of 198 grams (0.44 lbs).

Contrast the Panasonic G9 and Panasonic ZS30 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are working with at that moment. The following is a front view dimensions comparison of the G9 versus the ZS30.

Panasonic G9 vs Panasonic ZS30 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the G9 and ZS30 is 62 and 92 respectively.

Panasonic G9 vs Panasonic ZS30 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic G9 vs Panasonic ZS30 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is tough to envision the gap between sensor sizes purely by reading technical specs. The image here should give you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the G9 and ZS30.

As you have seen, both cameras have different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The G9 using its bigger sensor will make shooting bokeh less difficult and the Panasonic G9 will offer you more detail because of its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop photographs a bit more aggressively. The more recent G9 will have a benefit in sensor technology.

Panasonic G9 vs Panasonic ZS30 sensor size comparison

Panasonic G9 vs Panasonic ZS30 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic G9 vs Panasonic ZS30 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic G9 Portrait photography info
Panasonic ZS30 Portrait photography info
76
you can focus manually
MP count decent (20 megapixels)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with face detection focusing
saves RAW formats
33
decent MP (18 megapixels)
no manual focus
cannot use external flash
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Panasonic G9 Street photography factors
Panasonic ZS30 Street photography factors
75
screen articulates
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
features focus via touch
weather proof
good high ISO (25,600)
66
image stabilization (Optical)
provides touch to focus
lighter than average in class (198 grams)
screen does not articulate
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic G9 Sports photography factors
Panasonic ZS30 Sports photography factors
70
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
silent shooting (1/32,000 seconds)
high frames per second (20.0 frames/s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count decent (20 megapixels)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with tracking autofocus
weather proof
not so great battery (400 CIPA)
lacks phase detect AF
46
incredible zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (18 megapixels)
includes tracking autofocus
low max shutter speed (1/1,200s)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
bad battery pack (260 per charge)
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic G9
Travel photography with Panasonic ZS30
70
weather proof
supports bluetooth
features focus via touch
MP count decent (20 megapixels)
selfie friendly screen
not so great battery (400 per charge)
69
lighter than average in class (198g)
provides touch to focus
decent MP (18 megapixels)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (24mm)
great reach (480mm)
missing Timelapse recording
bad battery pack (260 CIPA)
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic G9 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic ZS30 as a Landscape photography camera
76
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count decent (20 megapixels)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
doesnt have anti-alias filter
good high ISO (25,600)
saves RAW formats
weather proof
has dual storage slots
not so great battery (400 per charge)
44
reasonably wide (24mm)
screen is a decent size (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (18 megapixels)
no manual focus
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
bad battery pack (260 per charge)
missing Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic G9 Vlogging factors
Panasonic ZS30 Vlogging factors
76
selfie friendly screen
touch screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
comes with face detection focusing
video res high (3840 x 2160 resolution)
comes with external mic jack
35
reasonably wide (24mm)
built-in touchscreen
image stabilization (Optical)
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than average in class (198 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is not selfie friendly
missing external microphone jack
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Panasonic G9 vs Panasonic ZS30 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic G9 and Panasonic ZS30
 Panasonic Lumix DC-G9Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Panasonic
Model type Panasonic Lumix DC-G9 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30
Also called - Lumix DMC-TZ40
Type Pro Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2017-11-08 2013-01-07
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 20MP 18MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 5184 x 3888 4896 x 3672
Max native ISO 25600 6400
Min native ISO 200 100
RAW photos
Min enhanced ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 225 23
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 24-480mm (20.0x)
Maximal aperture - f/3.3-6.4
Macro focusing distance - 3cm
Number of lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 1,040 thousand dot 920 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 3,680 thousand dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.83x -
Features
Min shutter speed 60s 15s
Max shutter speed 1/8000s 1/1200s
Max silent shutter speed 1/32000s -
Continuous shutter speed 20.0 frames per second 10.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 6.40 m
Flash options Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced On/Red-eye Reduction, Slow Sync., Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 60p / 150 Mbps, MP4, 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, AVCHD, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 658 grams (1.45 pounds) 198 grams (0.44 pounds)
Physical dimensions 137 x 97 x 92mm (5.4" x 3.8" x 3.6") 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 400 photos 260 photos
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID DMW-BLF19 -
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II supported) SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots 2 1
Launch pricing $1,500 $250