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Panasonic FX78 vs Panasonic ZS30

Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
31
Overall
33
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX78 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30 front
Portability
92
Imaging
42
Features
48
Overall
44

Panasonic FX78 vs Panasonic ZS30 Key Specs

Panasonic FX78
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-120mm (F2.5-5.9) lens
  • 142g - 100 x 55 x 21mm
  • Revealed January 2011
  • Additionally referred to as Lumix DMC-FX77
Panasonic ZS30
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • 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 Known as Lumix DMC-TZ40
  • Superseded the Panasonic ZS25
  • Later Model is Panasonic ZS35
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Panasonic FX78 vs Panasonic ZS30 Overview

On this page, we are matching up the Panasonic FX78 vs Panasonic ZS30, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both are created by Panasonic. There is a noticeable difference between the sensor resolutions of the FX78 (12MP) and ZS30 (18MP) but both cameras offer the same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The FX78 was unveiled 23 months prior to the ZS30 making them a generation apart from each other. The two cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before delving right into a full comparison, here is a brief overview of how the FX78 grades against the ZS30 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FX78 over the Panasonic ZS30

 FX78 ZS30 
Display dimensions3.5"3"Larger display (+0.5")

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS30 over the Panasonic FX78

 ZS30 FX78 
RevealedJanuary 2013January 2011Fresher by 23 months
Display resolution920k230kCrisper display (+690k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic FX78 and Panasonic ZS30

 FX78 ZS30 
Manually focus Lack of manual focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Panasonic FX78 vs Panasonic ZS30 Physical Comparison

When you are planning to carry your camera often, you will have to factor in its weight and measurements. The Panasonic FX78 offers outside dimensions of 100mm x 55mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") along with a weight of 142 grams (0.31 lbs) while the Panasonic ZS30 has proportions of 105mm x 59mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") with a weight of 198 grams (0.44 lbs).

Compare the Panasonic FX78 vs Panasonic ZS30 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you are utilizing at that time. Here is a front view dimension comparison of the FX78 versus the ZS30.

Panasonic FX78 vs Panasonic ZS30 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the FX78 and ZS30 is 95 and 92 respectively.

Panasonic FX78 vs Panasonic ZS30 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FX78 vs Panasonic ZS30 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is tough to picture the contrast between sensor sizing purely by checking a spec sheet. The graphic below may offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the FX78 and ZS30.

Clearly, each of the cameras have the same sensor dimensions but different resolution. You can expect to see the Panasonic ZS30 to give extra detail having an extra 6 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also enable you to crop pics a bit more aggressively. The older FX78 is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.

Panasonic FX78 vs Panasonic ZS30 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FX78 vs Panasonic ZS30 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FX78 vs Panasonic ZS30 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FX78 Portrait photography info
Panasonic ZS30 Portrait photography info
21
no manual focus
manual mode not possible
external flash not possible
low resolution (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
33
good resolution (18 megapixels)
manual focus not available
external flash not possible
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Panasonic FX78 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic ZS30 as a Street photography camera
57
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
66
has image stabilization (Optical)
comes with focus by touch
lighter than competition (198g)
no articulating screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FX78 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic ZS30 as a Sports photography camera
28
built in image stabilization (Optical)
provides tracking autofocus
max shutter speed is low (1/1,400s)
slow frames per second (4.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
low resolution (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
bad battery life (200 CIPA)
does not have phase detect AF
46
incredible zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (18 megapixels)
comes with tracking autofocus
low maximum shutter speed (1/1,200 seconds)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
terrible battery life (260 CIPA)
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FX78 Travel photography info
Panasonic ZS30 Travel photography info
56
has built in flash
decently wide (24mm)
lack of Time Lapse mode
bad battery life (200 shots)
low resolution (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f2.5)
69
lighter than competition (198 grams)
comes with focus by touch
good resolution (18MP)
built-in flash
relatively wide (24mm)
very long zoom (480mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
terrible battery life (260 CIPA)
display isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FX78 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic ZS30 as a Landscape photography camera
36
decently wide (24mm)
screen larger than average (3.5")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.5)
manual mode not possible
low resolution (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
bad battery life (200 shots)
lack of Time Lapse mode
44
relatively wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (18MP)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
terrible battery life (260 per charge)
doesn't have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FX78 Vlogging highlights
Panasonic ZS30 Vlogging highlights
33
decently wide (24mm)
built-in touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
sluggish max aperture (f2.5)
display is not selfie friendly
lack of external mic support
35
relatively wide (24mm)
screen is touchscreen
has image stabilization (Optical)
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition (198g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
display isn't selfie friendly
doesn't have external microphone support
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Panasonic FX78 vs Panasonic ZS30 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FX78 and Panasonic ZS30
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX78Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Panasonic
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX78 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30
Also called Lumix DMC-FX77 Lumix DMC-TZ40
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2011-01-25 2013-01-07
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Venus Engine FHD -
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 18 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4000 x 3000 4896 x 3672
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 11 23
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-120mm (5.0x) 24-480mm (20.0x)
Maximal aperture f/2.5-5.9 f/3.3-6.4
Macro focus distance 5cm 3cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3.5 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 230 thousand dots 920 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display tech TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 15 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/1400 seconds 1/1200 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 4.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 5.60 m 6.40 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro 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 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (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 data format MPEG-4, AVCHD MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone support
Headphone support
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
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 142 gr (0.31 pounds) 198 gr (0.44 pounds)
Physical dimensions 100 x 55 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") 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 200 shots 260 shots
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Pricing at release $210 $250