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Panasonic FS12 vs Samsung HZ30W

Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
14
Overall
26
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12 front
 
Samsung HZ30W front
Portability
91
Imaging
35
Features
40
Overall
37

Panasonic FS12 vs Samsung HZ30W Key Specs

Panasonic FS12
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600 (Expand to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 31-124mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 129g - 97 x 55 x 22mm
  • Launched April 2009
Samsung HZ30W
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-360mm (F3.2-5.8) lens
  • 245g - 107 x 61 x 28mm
  • Introduced January 2010
  • Additionally Known as WB600
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Panasonic FS12 vs Samsung HZ30W Overview

Lets look a bit more closely at the Panasonic FS12 and Samsung HZ30W, former being a Ultracompact while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by brands Panasonic and Samsung. The resolution of the FS12 (12MP) and the HZ30W (12MP) is relatively similar and they enjoy the same exact sensor size (1/2.3").

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The FS12 was introduced 9 months earlier than the HZ30W which means that they are both of a similar age. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic FS12 being a Ultracompact camera and the Samsung HZ30W being a Compact camera.

Before getting in to a step-by-step comparison, below is a concise summation of how the FS12 matches up against the HZ30W in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic FS12 over the Samsung HZ30W

 FS12 HZ30W 

Reasons to pick Samsung HZ30W over the Panasonic FS12

 HZ30W FS12 
IntroducedJanuary 2010April 2009More recent by 9 months
Manually focus More precise focus
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")

Common features in the Panasonic FS12 and Samsung HZ30W

 FS12 HZ30W 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kSame screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Absent Touch friendly screen

Panasonic FS12 vs Samsung HZ30W Physical Comparison

For anyone who is looking to lug around your camera, you will want to take into account its weight and measurements. The Panasonic FS12 enjoys outer measurements of 97mm x 55mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.9") with a weight of 129 grams (0.28 lbs) and the Samsung HZ30W has proportions of 107mm x 61mm x 28mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.1") and a weight of 245 grams (0.54 lbs).

Compare the Panasonic FS12 and Samsung HZ30W in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are utilising at that time. Below is the front view measurements comparison of the FS12 against the HZ30W.

Panasonic FS12 vs Samsung HZ30W size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the FS12 and HZ30W is 95 and 91 respectively.

Panasonic FS12 vs Samsung HZ30W top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FS12 vs Samsung HZ30W Sensor Comparison

Quite often, its difficult to picture the gap between sensor measurements simply by reading a spec sheet. The visual below may give you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the FS12 and HZ30W.

Clearly, the two cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing and the identical megapixels therefore you can expect similar quality of photos but you would want to take the launch date of the products into consideration. The older FS12 is going to be behind in sensor innovation.

Panasonic FS12 vs Samsung HZ30W sensor size comparison

Panasonic FS12 vs Samsung HZ30W Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FS12 vs Samsung HZ30W Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FS12 Portrait photography factors
Samsung HZ30W Portrait photography factors
21
focusing manually not possible
lack of manual mode
cannot use external flash
low resolution sensor (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
29
focusing manually
can't use external flash
megapixel count low (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FS12 as a Street photography camera
Samsung HZ30W as a Street photography camera
57
has image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
60
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (245g)
no articulating screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FS12 Sports photography factors
Samsung HZ30W Sports photography factors
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
continuous shooting slow (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
42
great zoom range (24-360mm 15.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
has tracking focus
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FS12 as a Travel photography camera
Samsung HZ30W as a Travel photography camera
51
built-in flash
does not have Time Lapse function
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not good (31mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
63
lighter than competition in class (245g)
built-in flash
pretty wide (24mm)
long reach (360mm)
does not have Timelapse recording
megapixel count low (12MP)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FS12 as a Landscape photography camera
Samsung HZ30W as a Landscape photography camera
28
has image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (31mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
small screen (2.7")
lack of manual mode
low resolution sensor (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
does not have Time Lapse function
43
focusing manually
pretty wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
does not have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FS12 as a Vlogging camera
Samsung HZ30W as a Vlogging camera
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not good (31mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low res video (640 x 480 resolution)
does not have external mic support
30
pretty wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (245g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have microphone jack
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Panasonic FS12 vs Samsung HZ30W Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FS12 and Samsung HZ30W
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12Samsung HZ30W
General Information
Make Panasonic Samsung
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12 Samsung HZ30W
Also Known as - WB600
Class Ultracompact Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2009-04-17 2010-01-19
Body design Ultracompact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 1600 3200
Maximum enhanced ISO 6400 -
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 31-124mm (4.0x) 24-360mm (15.0x)
Maximal aperture f/2.8-5.9 f/3.2-5.8
Macro focusing range 5cm 3cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.7 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 60 secs 16 secs
Max shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 2.0fps -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 6.30 m 5.00 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (60, 30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG H.264
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 129 gr (0.28 pounds) 245 gr (0.54 pounds)
Dimensions 97 x 55 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.9") 107 x 61 x 28mm (4.2" x 2.4" 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 ID - SLB-11A
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Double, Motion)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC card, Internal SC/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Pricing at release $228 $280