Panasonic S2 vs Sony WX30
96 Imaging
37 Features
29 Overall
33


96 Imaging
39 Features
41 Overall
39
Panasonic S2 vs Sony WX30 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 6400
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 28-112mm (F3.1-6.5) lens
- 112g - 98 x 57 x 21mm
- Announced January 2012
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 3200
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 25-125mm (F2.6-6.3) lens
- 117g - 92 x 52 x 19mm
- Released July 2011

Panasonic S2 vs Sony WX30 Overview
Here, we are analyzing the Panasonic S2 and Sony WX30, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by brands Panasonic and Sony. The sensor resolution of the S2 (14MP) and the WX30 (16MP) is very well matched and both cameras provide the identical sensor sizes (1/2.3").

The S2 was brought out 6 months after the WX30 which means that they are of a similar generation. Both cameras feature the same body design (Compact).
Before diving straight to a comprehensive comparison, here is a simple view of how the S2 grades against the WX30 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Panasonic S2 vs Sony WX30 Gallery
Below is a sample of the gallery pics for Panasonic Lumix DMC-S2 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX30. The entire galleries are provided at Panasonic S2 Gallery and Sony WX30 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Panasonic S2 over the Sony WX30
S2 | WX30 |
---|
Reasons to pick Sony WX30 over the Panasonic S2
WX30 | S2 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display size | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Larger display (+0.3") |
Display resolution | 922k | ![]() | 230k | Crisper display (+692k dot) |
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Easily navigate |
Common features in the Panasonic S2 and Sony WX30
S2 | WX30 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | January 2012 | ![]() | July 2011 | Similar generation |
Manually focus | ![]() | Lack of manual focus | ||
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Missing selfie screen |
Panasonic S2 vs Sony WX30 Physical Comparison
If you're looking to carry around your camera regularly, you need to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic S2 offers external dimensions of 98mm x 57mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") accompanied by a weight of 112 grams (0.25 lbs) while the Sony WX30 has dimensions of 92mm x 52mm x 19mm (3.6" x 2.0" x 0.7") having a weight of 117 grams (0.26 lbs).
Check out the Panasonic S2 and Sony WX30 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are working with at the time. The following is a front view sizing comparison of the S2 versus the WX30.

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the S2 and WX30 is 96 and 96 respectively.

Panasonic S2 vs Sony WX30 Sensor Comparison
Normally, it can be difficult to envision the gap between sensor sizes purely by looking at specs. The picture below should give you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the S2 and WX30.
All in all, both the cameras come with the identical sensor size but not the same resolution. You should expect to see the Sony WX30 to give extra detail having its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop pics a good deal more aggressively.

Panasonic S2 vs Sony WX30 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic S2 vs Sony WX30 Specifications
Panasonic Lumix DMC-S2 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX30 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Panasonic | Sony |
Model type | Panasonic Lumix DMC-S2 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX30 |
Category | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Compact |
Announced | 2012-01-09 | 2011-07-25 |
Physical type | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | - | 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 surface area | 27.7mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 14 megapixels | 16 megapixels |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 16:9 | 4:3 and 16:9 |
Highest Possible resolution | 4320 x 3240 | 4608 x 3456 |
Maximum native ISO | 6400 | 3200 |
Lowest native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW images | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detect focus | ||
Contract detect focus | ||
Phase detect focus | ||
Total focus points | 23 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 28-112mm (4.0x) | 25-125mm (5.0x) |
Maximum aperture | f/3.1-6.5 | f/2.6-6.3 |
Macro focusing distance | 5cm | 5cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.9 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display size | 2.7 inch | 3 inch |
Display resolution | 230k dots | 922k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch friendly | ||
Display technology | TFT Color LCD | XtraFine TFT LCD display |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 8 secs | 30 secs |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/1600 secs | 1/1600 secs |
Continuous shutter rate | 2.0 frames/s | 10.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual mode | ||
Set white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash distance | 3.30 m | 3.70 m |
Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction | Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync |
Hot shoe | ||
AE 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 (60fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 1280 x 720 (30fps), 640 x 480 (30fps) |
Maximum video resolution | 1280x720 | 1920x1080 |
Video file format | Motion JPEG | MPEG-4, AVCHD |
Mic support | ||
Headphone support | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 112g (0.25 lbs) | 117g (0.26 lbs) |
Physical dimensions | 98 x 57 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") | 92 x 52 x 19mm (3.6" x 2.0" x 0.7") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall 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 images | 250 images |
Battery style | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | - | NP-BN1 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal | SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo |
Card slots | One | One |
Price at release | $109 | $259 |