Panasonic S1 vs Sony HX30V
96 Imaging
35 Features
21 Overall
29


90 Imaging
41 Features
50 Overall
44
Panasonic S1 vs Sony HX30V Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 6400
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 28-112mm (F3.1-5.6) lens
- 117g - 99 x 59 x 21mm
- Introduced January 2011
(Full Review)
- 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 12800
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 25-500mm (F3.2-5.8) lens
- 254g - 107 x 62 x 35mm
- Revealed February 2012
- Replaced the Sony HX20V
- Replacement is Sony HX50V

Panasonic S1 vs Sony HX30V Overview
Lets look more in depth at the Panasonic S1 vs Sony HX30V, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by rivals Panasonic and Sony. There is a crucial difference among the sensor resolutions of the S1 (12MP) and HX30V (18MP) but both cameras offer the same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

The S1 was manufactured 13 months prior to the HX30V which makes them a generation apart from each other. Each of these cameras have the same body design (Compact).
Before delving straight to a complete comparison, here is a concise view of how the S1 grades vs the HX30V in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Panasonic S1 vs Sony HX30V Gallery
This is a preview of the gallery images for Panasonic Lumix DMC-S1 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V. The entire galleries are available at Panasonic S1 Gallery and Sony HX30V Gallery.
Reasons to pick Panasonic S1 over the Sony HX30V
S1 | HX30V |
---|
Reasons to pick Sony HX30V over the Panasonic S1
HX30V | S1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | February 2012 | ![]() | January 2011 | Fresher by 13 months |
Focus manually | ![]() | More precise focusing | ||
Screen dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
Screen resolution | 922k | ![]() | 230k | Crisper screen (+692k dot) |
Common features in the Panasonic S1 and Sony HX30V
S1 | HX30V | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Missing selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Neither includes Touch friendly screen |
Panasonic S1 vs Sony HX30V Physical Comparison
For anybody who is intending to carry your camera often, you'll need to factor in its weight and proportions. The Panasonic S1 features outside measurements of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") along with a weight of 117 grams (0.26 lbs) and the Sony HX30V has measurements of 107mm x 62mm x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4") along with a weight of 254 grams (0.56 lbs).
Check out the Panasonic S1 vs Sony HX30V in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you are using at the time. Underneath is a front view over all size comparison of the S1 and the HX30V.

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the S1 and HX30V is 96 and 90 respectively.

Panasonic S1 vs Sony HX30V Sensor Comparison
Oftentimes, it is very difficult to visualise the difference in sensor sizing simply by seeing a spec sheet. The visual below will help give you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the S1 and HX30V.
Clearly, each of these cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same MP. You should expect the Sony HX30V to show extra detail due to its extra 6 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop shots more aggressively. The older S1 will be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.

Panasonic S1 vs Sony HX30V Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic S1 vs Sony HX30V Specifications
Panasonic Lumix DMC-S1 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Panasonic | Sony |
Model | Panasonic Lumix DMC-S1 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V |
Category | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Introduced | 2011-01-05 | 2012-02-28 |
Physical type | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | Venus Engine IV | BIONZ |
Sensor type | CCD | BSI-CMOS |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor measurements | 6.08 x 4.56mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
Sensor area | 27.7mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12 megapixels | 18 megapixels |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 4:3 and 16:9 |
Highest resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 4896 x 3672 |
Highest native ISO | 6400 | 12800 |
Min native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW pictures | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detect autofocus | ||
Contract detect autofocus | ||
Phase detect autofocus | ||
Number of focus points | 11 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 28-112mm (4.0x) | 25-500mm (20.0x) |
Largest aperture | f/3.1-5.6 | f/3.2-5.8 |
Macro focus distance | 5cm | 1cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.9 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Type of display | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display diagonal | 2.7 inch | 3 inch |
Display resolution | 230 thousand dots | 922 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch functionality | ||
Display tech | TFT LCD | XtraFine TruBlack TFT LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 8s | 30s |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/1600s | 1/1600s |
Continuous shooting rate | - | 10.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | - | Yes |
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash range | 3.30 m | 7.10 m |
Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction | Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync |
Hot shoe | ||
AE bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (30fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) | 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Highest video resolution | 1280x720 | 1920x1080 |
Video data format | Motion JPEG | 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 | ||
Environmental sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 117g (0.26 pounds) | 254g (0.56 pounds) |
Physical dimensions | 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") | 107 x 62 x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4") |
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 | 240 images | 320 images |
Form of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | - | NP-BG1 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Storage type | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo |
Card slots | One | One |
Retail price | $269 | $420 |