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Panasonic GH4 vs Panasonic ZS30

Portability
66
Imaging
53
Features
88
Overall
67
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH4 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30 front
Portability
92
Imaging
42
Features
48
Overall
44

Panasonic GH4 vs Panasonic ZS30 Key Specs

Panasonic GH4
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 560g - 133 x 93 x 84mm
  • Released February 2014
  • Older Model is Panasonic GH3
  • Updated by Panasonic GH5
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
  • Launched January 2013
  • Also Known as Lumix DMC-TZ40
  • Earlier Model is Panasonic ZS25
  • Successor is Panasonic ZS35
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Panasonic GH4 vs Panasonic ZS30 Overview

Here, we are matching up the Panasonic GH4 versus Panasonic ZS30, one being a Pro Mirrorless and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom and they are both manufactured by Panasonic. The resolution of the GH4 (16MP) and the ZS30 (18MP) is very well matched but the GH4 (Four Thirds) and ZS30 (1/2.3") offer different sensor sizes.

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The GH4 was manufactured 14 months later than the ZS30 making them a generation apart from each other. The two cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic GH4 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic ZS30 being a Compact camera.

Before getting into a more detailed comparison, here is a quick overview of how the GH4 matches up versus the ZS30 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic GH4 over the Panasonic ZS30

 GH4 ZS30 
LaunchedFebruary 2014January 2013More recent by 14 months
Focus manually Very precise focusing
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display resolution1036k920kClearer display (+116k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS30 over the Panasonic GH4

 ZS30 GH4 

Common features in the Panasonic GH4 and Panasonic ZS30

 GH4 ZS30 
Display size3"3"Same display dimensions
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Panasonic GH4 vs Panasonic ZS30 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is intending to lug around your camera often, you have to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic GH4 has exterior dimensions of 133mm x 93mm x 84mm (5.2" x 3.7" x 3.3") with a weight of 560 grams (1.23 lbs) while the Panasonic ZS30 has dimensions of 105mm x 59mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") with a weight of 198 grams (0.44 lbs).

Look at the Panasonic GH4 versus Panasonic ZS30 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are working with at that time. Underneath is a front view size comparison of the GH4 against the ZS30.

Panasonic GH4 vs Panasonic ZS30 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the GH4 and ZS30 is 66 and 92 respectively.

Panasonic GH4 vs Panasonic ZS30 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic GH4 vs Panasonic ZS30 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it can be difficult to picture the contrast between sensor measurements only by checking a spec sheet. The visual here will provide you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the GH4 and ZS30.

Clearly, each of these cameras feature different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The GH4 due to its larger sensor is going to make achieving shallow depth of field easier and the Panasonic ZS30 will give you extra detail due to its extra 2MP. Greater resolution can also help you crop images way more aggressively. The fresher GH4 should have an advantage when it comes to sensor innovation.

Panasonic GH4 vs Panasonic ZS30 sensor size comparison

Panasonic GH4 vs Panasonic ZS30 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic GH4 vs Panasonic ZS30 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic GH4 Portrait photography highlights
Panasonic ZS30 Portrait photography highlights
71
you can focus manually
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes face detection focus
exports RAW formats
33
resolution is good (18MP)
manual focus not available
cannot use external flash
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Street Comparison

Panasonic GH4 Street photography advice
Panasonic ZS30 Street photography advice
71
fully articulated screen
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
offers touch focus
environment proofing
lighter than competition (560 grams)
very good ISO range (25,600)
does not have image stabilization
66
image stabilization (Optical)
offers focus via touch
lighter than competitors in class (198 grams)
screen is fixed
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic GH4 Sports photography info
Panasonic ZS30 Sports photography info
62
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes tracking autofocus
environment proofing
does not have image stabilization
no phase detect auto focus
46
amazing zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (18MP)
features tracking autofocus
low maximum shutter speed (1/1,200s)
small sensor (1/2.3")
bad battery life (260 per charge)
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic GH4 Travel photography features
Panasonic ZS30 Travel photography features
77
lighter than competition (560g)
environment proofing
offers touch focus
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
screen is selfie friendly
69
lighter than competitors in class (198g)
offers focus via touch
resolution is good (18MP)
has built in flash
decently wide (24mm)
great reach (480mm)
does not have Timelapse mode
bad battery life (260 shots)
does not offer selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic GH4
Landscape photography with Panasonic ZS30
72
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
very good ISO range (25,600)
exports RAW formats
environment proofing
does not have image stabilization
44
decently wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (18MP)
manual focus not available
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
bad battery life (260 shots)
does not have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic GH4
Vlogging with Panasonic ZS30
71
screen is selfie friendly
touch screen
includes face detection focus
good video quality (4096 x 2160 resolution)
includes external microphone port
lighter than competition (560 grams)
does not have image stabilization
35
decently wide (24mm)
touchscreen
image stabilization (Optical)
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competitors in class (198g)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
does not offer selfie friendly display
does not have external microphone socket
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Panasonic GH4 vs Panasonic ZS30 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic GH4 and Panasonic ZS30
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH4Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Panasonic
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH4 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30
Also referred to as - Lumix DMC-TZ40
Class Pro Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2014-02-07 2013-01-07
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Venus Engine IX -
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 16 megapixel 18 megapixel
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 4608 x 3456 4896 x 3672
Max native ISO 25600 6400
Lowest native ISO 200 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 49 23
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 24-480mm (20.0x)
Maximum aperture - f/3.3-6.4
Macro focusing distance - 3cm
Number of lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display size 3 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 1,036k dots 920k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display tech OLED -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 2,359k dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.67x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 secs 15 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/1200 secs
Continuous shutter rate 12.0 frames per sec 10.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 17.00 m (at ISO 200) 6.40 m
Flash options Auto, auto/redeye reduction, forced on, forced on/redeye reduction, slow sync, slow sync/redeye reduction, forced off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/250 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 4096 x 2160 (24p), 3840 x 2160 (24p, 25p, 30p), 1920 x 1080 (24p, 25p, 30p, 50p, 60p), 1280 x 720 (24p, 25p, 30p), 640 x 480 (25p, 30p) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (220 fps)
Max video resolution 4096x2160 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, AVCHD MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 560 gr (1.23 lbs) 198 gr (0.44 lbs)
Physical dimensions 133 x 93 x 84mm (5.2" x 3.7" x 3.3") 105 x 59 x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 74 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 23.2 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.8 not tested
DXO Low light rating 791 not tested
Other
Battery life 500 shots 260 shots
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID DMW-BLF19 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs (single or three-shot)) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Retail cost $1,500 $250