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Panasonic LZ30 vs Panasonic SZ5

Portability
66
Imaging
40
Features
32
Overall
36
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ30 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5 front
Portability
95
Imaging
38
Features
34
Overall
36

Panasonic LZ30 vs Panasonic SZ5 Key Specs

Panasonic LZ30
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-875mm (F3.0-5.9) lens
  • 552g - 124 x 84 x 92mm
  • Launched January 2013
  • Previous Model is Panasonic LZ20
  • Later Model is Panasonic LZ40
Panasonic SZ5
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Expand to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 136g - 104 x 58 x 21mm
  • Released July 2012
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Panasonic LZ30 vs Panasonic SZ5 Overview

Its time to take a deeper look at the Panasonic LZ30 versus Panasonic SZ5, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact and both are offered by Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the LZ30 (16MP) and the SZ5 (14MP) is relatively comparable and they enjoy the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The LZ30 was released 6 months later than the SZ5 which means that they are both of a similar generation. The two cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic LZ30 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Panasonic SZ5 being a Compact camera.

Before diving straight into a in depth comparison, below is a brief overview of how the LZ30 matches up against the SZ5 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic LZ30 over the Panasonic SZ5

 LZ30 SZ5 
Screen resolution460k230kSharper screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ5 over the Panasonic LZ30

 SZ5 LZ30 

Common features in the Panasonic LZ30 and Panasonic SZ5

 LZ30 SZ5 
ReleasedJanuary 2013July 2012Same generation
Focus manually No manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen measurement
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch screen Lacking Touch screen

Panasonic LZ30 vs Panasonic SZ5 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is aiming to lug around your camera, you will have to factor its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic LZ30 enjoys external measurements of 124mm x 84mm x 92mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 3.6") with a weight of 552 grams (1.22 lbs) while the Panasonic SZ5 has dimensions of 104mm x 58mm x 21mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 0.8") having a weight of 136 grams (0.30 lbs).

Analyze the Panasonic LZ30 versus Panasonic SZ5 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you are employing at that moment. The following is the front view over all size comparison of the LZ30 against the SZ5.

Panasonic LZ30 vs Panasonic SZ5 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the LZ30 and SZ5 is 66 and 95 respectively.

Panasonic LZ30 vs Panasonic SZ5 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic LZ30 vs Panasonic SZ5 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it can be hard to imagine the gap in sensor measurements only by going through specifications. The photograph underneath should give you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the LZ30 and SZ5.

To sum up, the two cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit different megapixels. You should count on the Panasonic LZ30 to produce greater detail as a result of its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop pictures far more aggressively.

Panasonic LZ30 vs Panasonic SZ5 sensor size comparison

Panasonic LZ30 vs Panasonic SZ5 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic LZ30 vs Panasonic SZ5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic LZ30 Portrait photography information
Panasonic SZ5 Portrait photography information
32
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
no manual focus
no external flash support
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
34
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
features face detection focus
no manual focus
lack of manual exposure
can't use external flash
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic LZ30 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic SZ5 as a Street photography camera
43
has image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
heavier than others in class (552g)
63
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (136g)
fixed screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic LZ30
Sports photography with Panasonic SZ5
47
incredible zoom range (25-875mm 35.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
comes with tracking focus
great battery (380 CIPA)
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
40
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
features tracking autofocus
painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
small sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic LZ30 Travel photography details
Panasonic SZ5 Travel photography details
56
great battery (380 shots)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
great reach (875mm)
no Time Lapse recording
heavier than others in class (552g)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
70
lighter than others in class (136 grams)
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
flash built-in
rather wide (25mm)
very long zoom (250mm)
does not have Time Lapse recording
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic LZ30
Landscape photography with Panasonic SZ5
45
pretty wide (25mm)
decent sized screen (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
great battery (380 shots)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
no Time Lapse recording
42
rather wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
no manual focus
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
lack of manual exposure
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
does not have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic LZ30 Vlogging info
Panasonic SZ5 Vlogging info
22
pretty wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
no mic socket
heavier than others in class (552g)
32
rather wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
features face detection focus
lighter than others in class (136g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have external mic socket
Photography Glossary

Panasonic LZ30 vs Panasonic SZ5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic LZ30 and Panasonic SZ5
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ30Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5
General Information
Company Panasonic Panasonic
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ30 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2013-01-07 2012-07-18
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 4320 x 3240
Max native ISO 6400 1600
Max boosted ISO - 6400
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points - 23
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-875mm (35.0x) 25-250mm (10.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.0-5.9 f/3.1-5.9
Macro focus distance 1cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 460k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen technology TFT LCD TFT Screen LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15 secs 8 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shooting rate 1.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 4.40 m 5.60 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720p ( 30,25 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4
Mic port
Headphone port
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
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 552 grams (1.22 lb) 136 grams (0.30 lb)
Dimensions 124 x 84 x 92mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 3.6") 104 x 58 x 21mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 0.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 380 images 250 images
Form of battery AA Battery Pack
Battery model 4 x AA -
Self timer Yes (2 0r 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 secs)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Launch cost $230 $195