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Panasonic S2 vs Sony HX30V

Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
29
Overall
33
Panasonic Lumix DMC-S2 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V front
Portability
90
Imaging
42
Features
50
Overall
45

Panasonic S2 vs Sony HX30V 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
Sony HX30V
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-500mm (F3.2-5.8) lens
  • 254g - 107 x 62 x 35mm
  • Released February 2012
  • Older Model is Sony HX20V
  • Renewed by Sony HX50V
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Panasonic S2 vs Sony HX30V Overview

Its time to look much closer at the Panasonic S2 vs Sony HX30V, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by competitors Panasonic and Sony. There exists a significant gap between the image resolutions of the S2 (14MP) and HX30V (18MP) but they enjoy the exact same sensor size (1/2.3").

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The S2 was manufactured at a similar time to the HX30V which means that they are both of a similar generation. Both cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before getting straight into a detailed comparison, below is a brief introduction of how the S2 scores against the HX30V when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic S2 over the Sony HX30V

 S2 HX30V 

Reasons to pick Sony HX30V over the Panasonic S2

 HX30V S2 
Manual focus Dial exact focusing
Display dimension3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution922k230kSharper display (+692k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic S2 and Sony HX30V

 S2 HX30V 
ReleasedJanuary 2012February 2012Similar generation
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch display No Touch display

Panasonic S2 vs Sony HX30V Physical Comparison

If you are looking to carry your camera frequently, you will have to consider its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic S2 offers outer measurements of 98mm x 57mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") along with a weight of 112 grams (0.25 lbs) while the Sony HX30V has dimensions of 107mm x 62mm x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4") accompanied by a weight of 254 grams (0.56 lbs).

Compare the Panasonic S2 vs Sony HX30V in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you have attached at the time. Below is the front view physical size comparison of the S2 vs the HX30V.

Panasonic S2 vs Sony HX30V size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the S2 and HX30V is 96 and 90 respectively.

Panasonic S2 vs Sony HX30V top view buttons comparison

Panasonic S2 vs Sony HX30V Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it's hard to imagine the difference between sensor sizing just by checking technical specs. The graphic here should offer you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the S2 and HX30V.

As you have seen, both of the cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements but different MP. You should anticipate the Sony HX30V to give you greater detail due to its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will let you crop pics much more aggressively.

Panasonic S2 vs Sony HX30V sensor size comparison

Panasonic S2 vs Sony HX30V Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic S2 vs Sony HX30V Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic S2 Portrait photography advice
Sony HX30V Portrait photography advice
33
decent MP (14MP)
supports face detection autofocus
lack of manual focus
no manual exposure
no external flash support
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
45
has manual focus
decent sensor resolution (18MP)
provides face detect autofocus
can't use external flash
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Street Comparison

Panasonic S2 Street photography info
Sony HX30V Street photography info
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (112 grams)
fixed screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
61
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (254g)
no articulating screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic S2 as a Sports photography camera
Sony HX30V as a Sports photography camera
39
image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (14 megapixels)
good battery (280 CIPA)
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
49
amazing zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (18MP)
provides tracking focus
no shutter priority
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic S2
Travel photography with Sony HX30V
70
good battery (280 CIPA)
lighter than competitors in class (112 grams)
decent MP (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
rather wide (28mm)
lack of Time Lapse function
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
69
lighter than others in class (254 grams)
decent sensor resolution (18MP)
built-in flash
really wide (25mm)
very long reach (500mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
screen is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic S2 Landscape photography advice
Sony HX30V Landscape photography advice
41
rather wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (14MP)
good battery (280 per charge)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
no manual exposure
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
lack of Time Lapse function
50
has manual focus
really wide (25mm)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (18MP)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic S2 Vlogging features
Sony HX30V Vlogging features
32
rather wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detection autofocus
lighter than competitors in class (112 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of external mic jack
34
really wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than others in class (254g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
screen is not selfie friendly
doesn't have mic socket
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Panasonic S2 vs Sony HX30V Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic S2 and Sony HX30V
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-S2Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V
General Information
Brand Panasonic Sony
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-S2 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2012-01-09 2012-02-28
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - BIONZ
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 18 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4320 x 3240 4896 x 3672
Highest native ISO 6400 12800
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 23 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-112mm (4.0x) 25-500mm (20.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.1-6.5 f/3.2-5.8
Macro focusing range 5cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.7 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 230k dots 922k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology TFT Color LCD XtraFine TruBlack TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 8 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shooting rate 2.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 3.30 m 7.10 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 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 format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
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 BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 112 gr (0.25 lb) 254 gr (0.56 lb)
Dimensions 98 x 57 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") 107 x 62 x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 280 pictures 320 pictures
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-BG1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Card slots 1 1
Launch price $109 $420