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Panasonic GX9 vs Panasonic ZS30

Portability
82
Imaging
60
Features
80
Overall
68
Panasonic Lumix DC-GX9 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30 front
Portability
92
Imaging
42
Features
48
Overall
44

Panasonic GX9 vs Panasonic ZS30 Key Specs

Panasonic GX9
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 407g - 124 x 72 x 47mm
  • Announced February 2018
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
  • Additionally Known as Lumix DMC-TZ40
  • Replaced the Panasonic ZS25
  • Updated by Panasonic ZS35
Photography Glossary

Panasonic GX9 vs Panasonic ZS30 Overview

Below, we will be matching up the Panasonic GX9 and Panasonic ZS30, former being a Advanced Mirrorless while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both are offered by Panasonic. The resolution of the GX9 (20MP) and the ZS30 (18MP) is pretty well matched but the GX9 (Four Thirds) and ZS30 (1/2.3") feature different sensor size.

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The GX9 was launched 5 years later than the ZS30 and that is quite a sizable difference as far as technology is concerned. Each of these cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic GX9 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic ZS30 being a Compact camera.

Before diving straight into a full comparison, below is a quick overview of how the GX9 matches up vs the ZS30 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic GX9 over the Panasonic ZS30

 GX9 ZS30 
AnnouncedFebruary 2018January 2013Fresher by 63 months
Manually focus Dial precise focusing
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution1240k920kCrisper screen (+320k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS30 over the Panasonic GX9

 ZS30 GX9 

Common features in the Panasonic GX9 and Panasonic ZS30

 GX9 ZS30 
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen size
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Panasonic GX9 vs Panasonic ZS30 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is looking to carry your camera often, you should factor in its weight and proportions. The Panasonic GX9 enjoys exterior measurements of 124mm x 72mm x 47mm (4.9" x 2.8" x 1.9") with a weight of 407 grams (0.90 lbs) while the Panasonic ZS30 has measurements of 105mm x 59mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 198 grams (0.44 lbs).

Examine the Panasonic GX9 and Panasonic ZS30 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you have attached during that time. Following is the front view over all size comparison of the GX9 vs the ZS30.

Panasonic GX9 vs Panasonic ZS30 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the GX9 and ZS30 is 82 and 92 respectively.

Panasonic GX9 vs Panasonic ZS30 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic GX9 vs Panasonic ZS30 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is hard to imagine the gap between sensor sizing simply by looking at a spec sheet. The photograph here should offer you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the GX9 and ZS30.

Clearly, both the cameras have got different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The GX9 featuring a bigger sensor is going to make shooting shallower depth of field easier and the Panasonic GX9 will resolve greater detail utilizing its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop pictures much more aggressively. The more modern GX9 should have an advantage when it comes to sensor innovation.

Panasonic GX9 vs Panasonic ZS30 sensor size comparison

Panasonic GX9 vs Panasonic ZS30 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic GX9 vs Panasonic ZS30 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic GX9 Portrait photography factors
Panasonic ZS30 Portrait photography factors
76
has manual focus
decent sensor resolution (20MP)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
has face detection focusing
supports RAW files
33
decent megapixels (18 megapixels)
manual focus not available
no external flash support
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Panasonic GX9 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic ZS30 as a Street photography camera
84
tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
features focus by touch
good high ISO (25,600)
66
image stabilization (Optical)
provides touch to focus
lighter than competition (198 grams)
no moving screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic GX9 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic ZS30 as a Sports photography camera
72
silent shooting (1/16,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent sensor resolution (20MP)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
has tracking autofocus
supports phase detect AF
terrible battery pack (260 CIPA)
46
incredible zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (18MP)
features tracking focus
low max shutter speed (1/1,200 seconds)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
terrible battery (260 CIPA)
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic GX9
Travel photography with Panasonic ZS30
71
has bluetooth
features focus by touch
decent sensor resolution (20MP)
has built in flash
terrible battery pack (260 CIPA)
screen isn't selfie friendly
69
lighter than competition (198 grams)
provides touch to focus
decent megapixels (18MP)
flash built-in
pretty wide (24mm)
long reach (480mm)
does not have Timelapse function
terrible battery (260 per charge)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic GX9 Landscape photography advice
Panasonic ZS30 Landscape photography advice
77
has manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is decent (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent sensor resolution (20MP)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
no anti aliasing filter
good high ISO (25,600)
supports RAW files
terrible battery pack (260 CIPA)
44
pretty wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (18 megapixels)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
terrible battery (260 shots)
does not have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic GX9 Vlogging features
Panasonic ZS30 Vlogging features
35
touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
has face detection focusing
high quality video (3840 x 2160 resolution)
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have external mic jack
35
pretty wide (24mm)
touchscreen
image stabilization (Optical)
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition (198 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
does not have microphone support
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Panasonic GX9 vs Panasonic ZS30 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic GX9 and Panasonic ZS30
 Panasonic Lumix DC-GX9Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Panasonic
Model type Panasonic Lumix DC-GX9 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30
Also referred to as - Lumix DMC-TZ40
Category Advanced Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2018-02-13 2013-01-07
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Venus Engine -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface 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
Maximum resolution 5184 x 3888 4896 x 3672
Maximum native ISO 25600 6400
Lowest native ISO 200 100
RAW support
Lowest boosted ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 49 23
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 24-480mm (20.0x)
Highest aperture - f/3.3-6.4
Macro focusing distance - 3cm
Total lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.8
Screen
Screen type Tilting Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 1,240k dots 920k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 2,760k dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.7x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 secs 15 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/1200 secs
Maximum silent shutter speed 1/16000 secs -
Continuous shooting rate 9.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 6.00 m (at ISO 200) 6.40 m
Flash settings Auto, auto w/redeye reduction, forced on, forced on w/redeye reduction, slow sync, slow sync w/redeye reduction, forced off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (220 fps)
Maximum video resolution 3840x2160 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB Yes USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 407 gr (0.90 pounds) 198 gr (0.44 pounds)
Dimensions 124 x 72 x 47mm (4.9" x 2.8" x 1.9") 105 x 59 x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 260 photographs 260 photographs
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs, 3 photos over 10 secs) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-I supported) SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Price at launch $1,000 $250