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Panasonic GH2 vs Sony QX30

Portability
70
Imaging
50
Features
65
Overall
56
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-QX30 front
Portability
91
Imaging
44
Features
37
Overall
41

Panasonic GH2 vs Sony QX30 Key Specs

Panasonic GH2
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 160 - 12800
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 442g - 124 x 90 x 76mm
  • Revealed March 2011
  • Old Model is Panasonic GH1
  • Newer Model is Panasonic GH3
Sony QX30
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • " Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.5-6.3) lens
  • 193g - 68 x 65 x 58mm
  • Announced September 2014
Photography Glossary

Panasonic GH2 vs Sony QX30 Overview

Here, we will be contrasting the Panasonic GH2 versus Sony QX30, one is a Advanced Mirrorless and the latter is a Lens-style by rivals Panasonic and Sony. The image resolution of the GH2 (16MP) and the QX30 (20MP) is pretty well matched but the GH2 (Four Thirds) and QX30 (1/2.3") boast totally different sensor dimensions.

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The GH2 was brought out 4 years before the QX30 which is quite a large gap as far as technology is concerned. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic GH2 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony QX30 being a Lens-style camera.

Before delving into a more detailed comparison, here is a concise summation of how the GH2 matches up vs the QX30 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic GH2 over the Sony QX30

 GH2 QX30 
Manually focus Very accurate focusing
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen size3""Bigger screen (+3")
Screen resolution460k0kClearer screen (+460k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Sony QX30 over the Panasonic GH2

 QX30 GH2 
AnnouncedSeptember 2014March 2011More modern by 42 months

Common features in the Panasonic GH2 and Sony QX30

 GH2 QX30 
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Panasonic GH2 vs Sony QX30 Physical Comparison

For those who are aiming to carry around your camera, you'll have to factor its weight and measurements. The Panasonic GH2 has physical dimensions of 124mm x 90mm x 76mm (4.9" x 3.5" x 3.0") having a weight of 442 grams (0.97 lbs) while the Sony QX30 has proportions of 68mm x 65mm x 58mm (2.7" x 2.6" x 2.3") accompanied by a weight of 193 grams (0.43 lbs).

Look at the Panasonic GH2 versus Sony QX30 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you have during that time. Here is a front view scale comparison of the GH2 and the QX30.

Panasonic GH2 vs Sony QX30 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the GH2 and QX30 is 70 and 91 respectively.

Panasonic GH2 vs Sony QX30 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic GH2 vs Sony QX30 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is very difficult to envision the gap between sensor sizes just by looking at a spec sheet. The image underneath should provide you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the GH2 and QX30.

As you can see, both cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The GH2 due to its bigger sensor will make achieving shallow depth of field easier and the Sony QX30 will give you greater detail having its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will allow you to crop shots way more aggressively. The more aged GH2 is going to be behind in sensor innovation.

Panasonic GH2 vs Sony QX30 sensor size comparison

Panasonic GH2 vs Sony QX30 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic GH2 vs Sony QX30 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic GH2 Portrait photography details
Sony QX30 Portrait photography details
70
manual focus
decent MP (16MP)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
supports face detect focus
supports RAW files
37
sensor resolution is decent (20 megapixels)
provides face detect focusing
no manual focus
no manual control
can't use external flash
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Street Comparison

Panasonic GH2 Street photography advice
Sony QX30 Street photography advice
67
screen articulates fully
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
lack of image stabilization
62
has image stabilization (Optical)
provides touch to focus
fixed screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic GH2 Sports photography info
Sony QX30 Sports photography info
46
decent MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
supports tracking focus
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
lack of image stabilization
bad battery pack (330 CIPA)
lack of phase detect auto focus
47
excellent zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (20MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
terrible battery life (200 shots)
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic GH2 Travel photography information
Sony QX30 Travel photography information
62
decent MP (16MP)
built-in flash
selfie friendly screen
missing Time Lapse recording
bad battery pack (330 per charge)
65
provides touch to focus
sensor resolution is decent (20 megapixels)
reasonably wide (24mm)
great zoom (720mm)
does not have Timelapse recording
terrible battery life (200 CIPA)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic GH2 Landscape photography factors
Sony QX30 Landscape photography factors
60
manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
decent MP (16MP)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
lack of image stabilization
bad battery pack (330 shots)
missing Time Lapse recording
39
reasonably wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (20 megapixels)
no manual focus
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
tiny screen ( inch)
no manual control
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
terrible battery life (200 shots)
does not have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic GH2 as a Vlogging camera
Sony QX30 as a Vlogging camera
71
selfie friendly screen
touchscreen
supports face detect focus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
has mic jack
lack of image stabilization
35
reasonably wide (24mm)
built-in touchscreen
has image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
does not have microphone support
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Panasonic GH2 vs Sony QX30 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic GH2 and Sony QX30
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2Sony Cyber-shot DSC-QX30
General Information
Make Panasonic Sony
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-QX30
Category Advanced Mirrorless Lens-style
Revealed 2011-03-23 2014-09-03
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Lens-style
Sensor Information
Processor Venus Engine FHD Bionz X
Sensor type CMOS BSI-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 16 megapixel 20 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 5184 x 3888
Highest native ISO 12800 3200
Lowest native ISO 160 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 23 -
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 24-720mm (30.0x)
Max aperture - f/3.5-6.3
Available lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inch -
Resolution of screen 460 thousand dots 0 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen tech TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.71x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60s 4s
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/1600s
Continuous shutter rate 3.0 frames per second 10.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 15.60 m no built-in flash
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync None
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/160s -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (24, 30, 60fps) 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30fps) 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format AVCHD, Motion JPEG MPEG-4
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 None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 442g (0.97 lbs) 193g (0.43 lbs)
Physical dimensions 124 x 90 x 76mm (4.9" x 3.5" x 3.0") 68 x 65 x 58mm (2.7" x 2.6" x 2.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 60 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 21.2 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 11.3 not tested
DXO Low light score 655 not tested
Other
Battery life 330 images 200 images
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - NP-BN,
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2, 10 secs)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC microSD, microSDHC, microSDXC, Memory Stick Micro
Card slots 1 1
Price at release $1,000 $348