Clicky

Panasonic S2 vs Samsung HZ30W

Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
29
Overall
33
Panasonic Lumix DMC-S2 front
 
Samsung HZ30W front
Portability
91
Imaging
34
Features
40
Overall
36

Panasonic S2 vs Samsung HZ30W Key Specs

Panasonic S2
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-112mm (F3.1-6.5) lens
  • 112g - 98 x 57 x 21mm
  • Revealed January 2012
Samsung HZ30W
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-360mm (F3.2-5.8) lens
  • 245g - 107 x 61 x 28mm
  • Released January 2010
  • Also Known as WB600
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Panasonic S2 vs Samsung HZ30W Overview

Here is a extended assessment of the Panasonic S2 vs Samsung HZ30W, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by brands Panasonic and Samsung. The image resolution of the S2 (14MP) and the HZ30W (12MP) is relatively close and both cameras have the same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The S2 was revealed 24 months later than the HZ30W which makes them a generation apart from each other. Both the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before delving into a in depth comparison, here is a short view of how the S2 matches up versus the HZ30W for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

        

Reasons to pick Panasonic S2 over the Samsung HZ30W

 S2 HZ30W 
ReleasedJanuary 2012January 2010Fresher by 24 months

Reasons to pick Samsung HZ30W over the Panasonic S2

 HZ30W S2 
Manual focus More exact focus
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")

Common features in the Panasonic S2 and Samsung HZ30W

 S2 HZ30W 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kSame screen resolution
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch screen Missing Touch screen

Panasonic S2 vs Samsung HZ30W Physical Comparison

If you're looking to carry your camera frequently, you are going to need to take into account its weight and proportions. The Panasonic S2 features outer measurements of 98mm x 57mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") having a weight of 112 grams (0.25 lbs) and the Samsung HZ30W has measurements of 107mm x 61mm x 28mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.1") with a weight of 245 grams (0.54 lbs).

Contrast the Panasonic S2 vs Samsung HZ30W in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you select at that moment. Following is a front view measurement comparison of the S2 versus the HZ30W.

Panasonic S2 vs Samsung HZ30W size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the S2 and HZ30W is 96 and 91 respectively.

Panasonic S2 vs Samsung HZ30W top view buttons comparison

Panasonic S2 vs Samsung HZ30W Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it can be hard to envision the gap in sensor sizing merely by researching specifications. The visual below will offer you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the S2 and HZ30W.

To sum up, the 2 cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same megapixels. You should count on the Panasonic S2 to result in more detail because of its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will allow you to crop shots a bit more aggressively. The newer S2 will have an advantage when it comes to sensor innovation.

Panasonic S2 vs Samsung HZ30W sensor size comparison

Panasonic S2 vs Samsung HZ30W Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic S2 vs Samsung HZ30W Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic S2 Portrait photography information
Samsung HZ30W Portrait photography information
33
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
comes with face detection focusing
manual focus not available
manual exposure not possible
no external flash support
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
28
focusing manually
cannot use external flash
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic S2
Street photography with Samsung HZ30W
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (112 grams)
no moving screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
60
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (245 grams)
screen does not articulate
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic S2
Sports photography with Samsung HZ30W
39
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
good battery power (280 shots)
max frames per second very slow (2.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
42
excellent zoom range (24-360mm 15.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
comes with tracking autofocus
sensor resolution low (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Travel Comparison

Panasonic S2 as a Travel photography camera
Samsung HZ30W as a Travel photography camera
70
good battery power (280 shots)
lighter than average in class (112 grams)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
pretty wide (28mm)
missing Timelapse function
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
63
lighter than average in class (245g)
flash built-in
pretty wide (24mm)
very long zoom (360mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
sensor resolution low (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.2)
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Landscape Comparison

Panasonic S2 Landscape photography features
Samsung HZ30W Landscape photography features
41
pretty wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
good battery power (280 shots)
manual focus not available
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
screen is small (2.7")
manual exposure not possible
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
missing Timelapse function
42
focusing manually
pretty wide (24mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.2)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
doesn't have Time Lapse function
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic S2 Vlogging highlights
Samsung HZ30W Vlogging highlights
32
pretty wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detection focusing
lighter than average in class (112g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing external microphone jack
30
pretty wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (245g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.2)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have external mic port
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Panasonic S2 vs Samsung HZ30W Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic S2 and Samsung HZ30W
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-S2Samsung HZ30W
General Information
Brand Panasonic Samsung
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-S2 Samsung HZ30W
Also called as - WB600
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2012-01-09 2010-01-19
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Full resolution 4320 x 3240 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 6400 3200
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 23 -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-112mm (4.0x) 24-360mm (15.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.1-6.5 f/3.2-5.8
Macro focus distance 5cm 3cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.7" 3"
Resolution of screen 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen technology TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 8 secs 16 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 2.0 frames per sec -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 3.30 m 5.00 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (60, 30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format Motion JPEG H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 112 grams (0.25 pounds) 245 grams (0.54 pounds)
Physical dimensions 98 x 57 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") 107 x 61 x 28mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.1")
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 280 shots -
Battery form Battery Pack -
Battery model - SLB-11A
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Double, Motion)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SC/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots One One
Cost at launch $109 $280