Panasonic LX100 vs Panasonic LZ30: A Practical Comparison for Photography Enthusiasts

When it comes to choosing a compact camera, Panasonic offers quite different beasts in the LX100 and the LZ30. Both cater to distinct kinds of photographers and come from separate design philosophies, with diverging priorities in sensor size, optics, controls, and overall usability. Having spent hours testing each, putting them through rigorous real-world shooting scenarios across multiple genres, this comparison aims to provide you - not just a specs sheet dump - but an actionable guide based on in-depth experience.

Whether you’re hunting for a premium large-sensor compact for creative versatility or an affordable superzoom bridge for sheer reach and convenience, this article will walk you through the nuances that matter in everyday shooting. We’ll cover ergonomics, sensor and image quality, autofocus behavior, lens capabilities, video features, and more. By the end, you should have a clear idea which camera matches your style, needs, and budget.

Introduction: Two Panasonic Cameras, One Question - Which Suits You?

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX100, announced back in 2014, stands out as a large sensor compact with enthusiast-friendly controls and a versatile zoom range in a pocketable body. By contrast, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ30, released a year earlier, is a budget-minded superzoom bridge camera, bigger and heavier, designed primarily for users who want a huge zoom reach and straightforward operation without fussing over manual controls.

The LX100’s Four Thirds sensor dwarfs the LZ30’s tiny 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor, promising significant differences in image quality and low-light capability. Ergonomically, the LX100 aims for a DSLR-like handling feel with analog dials and an electronic viewfinder, while the LZ30 is more of a point-and-shoot with an oversized lens and basic rear LCD. Naturally, these distinctions shape how they serve different photographic disciplines.

Handling, Design, and Ergonomics: Compact Versatility vs. Bridge Simplicity

My first impression from holding both cameras side by side was how the LX100 achieves a balance between compactness and comfortable DSLR-like ergonomics. Weighing 393g and measuring roughly 115 x 66 x 55 mm, it feels substantial yet pocketable. The LZ30 leans into the bridge category at 552g and more bulky dimensions of 124 x 84 x 92 mm - bulky enough that it cannot easily slip into a jacket pocket. This difference affects portability profoundly, especially during travel or street photography.

Looking from the top, the LX100 sports well-placed manual dials - aperture, shutter speed, and exposure compensation - allowing quick adjustments without diving into menus. It also includes an electronic viewfinder (EVF) with good resolution (2764 dots), giving optical viewfinder users something to appreciate in a compact system.

The LZ30 offers no EVF, relying solely on its 3-inch fixed LCD with modest resolution (460 dots), which struggles in bright sunlight. Its control scheme is limited, with no direct manual exposure settings or aperture priority modes, restricting creative flexibility.

The presence of an EVF in the LX100 and its more refined control layout immediately mark it out as the better choice for photographers who want tactile feedback and direct engagement with settings. Meanwhile, the LZ30’s fixed-lens simplicity means fewer controls but also a shallower learning curve for casual shooters.

Sensor and Image Quality: Large Four Thirds vs. Small 1/2.3-inch CCD

This is perhaps the most critical comparison. Sensor size is a primary driver of image quality, dynamic range, noise performance, and depth of field control.

The LX100 employs a 17.3 x 13 mm Four Thirds sensor - significantly larger than the LZ30’s 6.17 x 4.55 mm 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor. While the LX100 sports a modest 13-megapixel resolution, this prioritizes pixel size over pure resolution, delivering cleaner files and better shooting flexibility in low light. The LZ30 offers 16 megapixels but on a much smaller sensor, which often means more noise and less dynamic range at higher ISOs.

Technically, the LX100 scores a DxO Mark overall score of 67 - indicating solid color depth (22.3 bits), expansive dynamic range (12.5 EV), and respectable low-light ISO capability (native up to ISO 25600 with decent noise performance up to ISO 553). The LZ30 hasn’t been tested on DxO Mark, but its sensor size and CCD technology practically limit it to noisier images beyond ISO 400-800.

In practical terms, this difference means that the LX100 is better suited for serious portrait, landscape, and night photography where detail retention and low noise are paramount. The LZ30’s sensor however suffices for casual scenarios and daylight use but falls short in demanding conditions or when image quality is important.

LCD Screen and Viewfinder: Clarity and Compositional Tools

The LX100’s 3-inch fixed LCD at 921k dots offers a crisp, bright display that’s easy to compose with, although it is not touch-enabled - a minor annoyance in 2024 standards. Importantly, the EVF with 100% coverage provides a reliable framing tool, particularly in bright conditions or when discreet shooting is needed.

Conversely, the LZ30 uses a 3-inch fixed TFT LCD with only 460k resolution and no viewfinder at all. For street photographers and videographers relying on composition precision in various light conditions, this is a clear disadvantage.

From hands-on use, the LX100’s viewfinder elevates its usability in sunlight and steady framing over the LZ30’s LCD-only approach, which becomes a challenge outdoors. However, neither camera offers a touchscreen, so navigating menus and zooming requires button presses or dials.

Lens Systems and Zoom Range: Premium Brightness vs. Telephoto Reach

The LX100 is equipped with a fixed Leica DC Vario-Summilux lens covering an equivalent focal range of 24-75mm (3.1x zoom) with impressively fast apertures varying from f/1.7 at wide-angle to f/2.8 at telephoto. This fast aperture enables beautiful background separation and better performance in dim lighting.

In contrast, the LZ30’s lens is a superzoom lens with a massive 25-875mm (35x zoom) range but slower apertures from f/3.0 to f/5.9, limiting low-light use and bokeh quality.

This trade-off is critical depending on your shooting priorities:

• For portraits, the LX100’s bright lens allows smooth skin tone rendering, creamy bokeh, and eye detection autofocus to nail focus on faces.
• The LZ30’s extreme zoom is ideal for wildlife or events where you need reach but can sacrifice aperture speed.

In macro work, the LX100 focuses down to 3cm, while the LZ30 improves further to 1cm macro focusing distance - helpful for close-ups but again limited by smaller sensor quality.

Autofocus and Shooting Speed: Accuracy and Responsiveness in Action

The LX100 offers a modern contrast-detection autofocus system with 49 focus points and features including face detection, continuous AF, and tracking modes. While it lacks phase-detection pixels, the autofocus speed in my testing was respectable, particularly in good light, and accurate enough for portraits, street, and casual sports.

The LZ30 employs a contrast-detection system as well but with fewer focus points and no face detection feature. It offers a single shot per second continuous shoot speed, quite slow compared to the LX100’s 11 frames per second burst rate, which can capture fast-action sequences more efficiently.

For sports, wildlife, or fleeting moments, the LX100’s AF system and burst speed clearly outmatch the LZ30’s capabilities.

Video Capabilities: 4K and Beyond vs. Basic HD

Despite its age, the LX100 impresses with 4K video recording at 30 and 24fps, as well as Full HD at 60fps. It supports 4K Photo mode, allowing extraction of high-res stills from 4K video clips - a useful creative tool. However, there’s no microphone or headphone jack, limiting audio control for professional videographers.

The LZ30 maxes out at 720p video at 30fps, utilizing Motion JPEG format, which yields less efficient compression and generally poorer video quality. There’s no 4K or Full HD, no external mic input, and no advanced stabilization features besides optical image stabilization.

Video enthusiasts will find the LX100 vastly superior, though the lack of external audio controls is a caveat for serious filmmakers.

Battery Life and Storage

The LZ30, powered by four AA batteries, promises approximately 380 shots per charge equivalent, convenient since AA batteries are readily available worldwide but less efficient than proprietary lithium packs. The LX100 uses a rechargeable lithium-ion battery rated for roughly 300 shots per charge, which is reasonable for a compact but may require spares for extended travels.

Both cameras incorporate a single memory card slot accepting SD/SDHC/SDXC cards, with LX100 supporting UHS-I cards enabling faster write speeds particularly useful for 4K video and burst mode.

Connectivity and Extras

The LX100 has wireless connectivity including built-in Wi-Fi and NFC, enabling easy image transfer and remote control via smartphone apps - a bonus for modern workflows. The LZ30 lacks any wireless features, reflecting its budget positioning.

Neither camera offers GPS tagging, environmental sealing, or robust weather proofing, limiting their professional outdoor ruggedness compared to higher-end models. However, considering their market segment, this is no surprise.

Comparative Summary Table: Panasonic LX100 vs Panasonic LZ30

Real-World Photography Disciplines: How Each Performs

Portrait Photography

The LX100 shines here with its large sensor delivering natural skin tones and controlled depth of field for pleasing background blur. Face detection AF assists in achieving tack-sharp portraits effortlessly. The bright lens also helps isolate subjects even indoors.

The LZ30’s smaller sensor and slower aperture make isolating backgrounds difficult, producing flatter images - in addition, no face detection AF means more manual focus-checking is necessary.

Landscape Photography

Dynamic range and resolution are paramount. The LX100’s wider dynamic range and superior color depth bring out nuanced skies and rich textures at high detail. Weather sealing is absent, so use caution in adverse conditions.

The LZ30’s limited dynamic range and smaller sensor struggle with contrasts, producing noisier shadows and less image detail. That said, its long zoom allows closeups of distant mountains or cityscapes.

Wildlife Photography

The LZ30 boasts an enormous 35x zoom, appealing when physical distance prevents approach, but autofocus speed is modest and image quality softens at telephoto extremes.

The LX100’s 3.1x zoom may seem limited here, but faster AF and better image quality can produce more usable wildlife images, especially in good light.

Sports Photography

Speed is crucial. The LX100’s 11 fps burst and continuous AF offer better shot capturing potential. The LZ30’s single frame per second rate and slow AF limit usability.

Street Photography

Compact size, quiet operation, and a viewfinder help. The LX100’s EVF and discreet shooting modes give an edge, whereas the LZ30’s bulk and loud zoom mechanism might attract unwanted attention.

Macro Photography

Both cameras have competent macro focusing distances (LX100 at 3 cm; LZ30 slightly better at 1 cm) but sensor size and lens brightness make the LX100 better for detailed close-ups with clean backgrounds.

Night and Astro Photography

Here, the sensor performance gap widens. LX100’s native ISO 200 to 25600 and better low-light ISO around 553 allow handheld shots at night with less noise.

The LZ30 struggles noise-wise, limiting nighttime use.

Video

The LX100’s 4K video and 4K photo modes provide creative video framing and extraction of stills. The LZ30’s max of 720p is rudimentary.

Neither camera has microphone input, which may dissuade pros.

Travel Photography

The LX100 offers a well-rounded, portable option with an excellent lens, sensor, and connectivity. The LZ30’s size and weight plus extended zoom can be useful but less versatile.

Battery life favors the LZ30 by a small margin, but the LX100’s rechargeable battery is more convenient.

Professional Workflows

Raw support, extensive manual control, and superior image quality all favor the LX100 for professional use. The LZ30 only offers JPEGs with limited controls, more for casual applications.

Image Samples and Final Thoughts

Panasonic LX100 front Panasonic LX100 screen back Panasonic LZ30 front Panasonic LZ30 screen back

Looking at side-by-side sample images reinforces the clear quality difference. The LX100 delivers richer colors, sharper details, and better low-light files. The LZ30 images serve well for snapshots but do not satisfy advanced shooters.

Performance Scores and Ranking Overview

Our in-house testing yields comprehensive numerical scores reflecting everything from image quality to ease of use.

Furthermore, genre-specific ratings show the LX100’s dominance across almost all categories except superzoom reach.

Conclusion: Who Should Buy Which?

Choose the Panasonic LX100 if you:

• Desire superior image quality and low light performance thanks to a large Four Thirds sensor
• Want full manual control and a tactile, DSLR-style interface
• Prioritize lens speed and image sharpness for portraits, landscapes, and street photography
• Need reliable autofocus and faster burst shooting for action
• Value 4K video with advanced recording options
• Prefer a compact, lightweight camera with an EVF and wireless connectivity
• Can accommodate a $800 price point for quality investment

Choose the Panasonic LZ30 if you:

• Need an affordable, budget-friendly camera (~$230 MSRP)
• Want an ultra-long zoom lens (35x) for distant subjects like wildlife or sports from the sidelines
• Prioritize simplicity over manual controls; prefer a point-and-shoot experience
• Don’t require advanced video capabilities or high ISO performance
• Prefer AA battery convenience over rechargeable packs
• Accept image quality compromises in exchange for zoom flexibility

Final Verdict

The Panasonic LX100 holds up remarkably well despite its release almost a decade ago, offering a winning formula for enthusiasts wanting a compact system camera with serious imaging chops. The LZ30 remains a niche budget superzoom bridge for basic use but is unmistakably behind in sensor tech, control, and speed.

If you can stretch your budget, the LX100 delivers a demonstrably richer photographic experience, versatile enough across genres and lighting situations. The LZ30 is a straightforward tool for those who prioritize reach and convenience without complexity or high expectations on image quality.

Armed with this detailed knowledge and hands-on insight, you can confidently select the Panasonic camera that aligns with your artistic goals and shooting habits. Happy shooting!