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Panasonic SZ1 vs Panasonic ZS30

Portability
95
Imaging
39
Features
34
Overall
37
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30 front
Portability
92
Imaging
42
Features
48
Overall
44

Panasonic SZ1 vs Panasonic ZS30 Key Specs

Panasonic SZ1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 131g - 99 x 59 x 21mm
  • Revealed January 2012
Panasonic ZS30
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-480mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 198g - 105 x 59 x 28mm
  • Released January 2013
  • Other Name is Lumix DMC-TZ40
  • Replaced the Panasonic ZS25
  • Refreshed by Panasonic ZS35
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Panasonic SZ1 vs Panasonic ZS30 Overview

Let's take a closer look at the Panasonic SZ1 vs Panasonic ZS30, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both are designed by Panasonic. The image resolution of the SZ1 (16MP) and the ZS30 (18MP) is very well matched and both cameras offer the same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The SZ1 was announced 12 months earlier than the ZS30 and they are of a similar generation. Each of these cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before diving into a step-by-step comparison, here is a simple summation of how the SZ1 matches up versus the ZS30 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ1 over the Panasonic ZS30

 SZ1 ZS30 

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS30 over the Panasonic SZ1

 ZS30 SZ1 
ReleasedJanuary 2013January 2012Newer by 12 months
Display resolution920k230kClearer display (+690k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Common features in the Panasonic SZ1 and Panasonic ZS30

 SZ1 ZS30 
Focus manually Lack of manual focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display measurement
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen

Panasonic SZ1 vs Panasonic ZS30 Physical Comparison

For those who are aiming to travel with your camera frequently, you will want to factor its weight and volume. The Panasonic SZ1 features outside measurements of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") and a weight of 131 grams (0.29 lbs) whilst the Panasonic ZS30 has sizing of 105mm x 59mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") having a weight of 198 grams (0.44 lbs).

Compare the Panasonic SZ1 vs Panasonic ZS30 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are working with during that time. Underneath is a front view sizing comparison of the SZ1 compared to the ZS30.

Panasonic SZ1 vs Panasonic ZS30 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the SZ1 and ZS30 is 95 and 92 respectively.

Panasonic SZ1 vs Panasonic ZS30 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ1 vs Panasonic ZS30 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it can be difficult to visualise the gap between sensor dimensions simply by reading through specifications. The image here will help offer you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the SZ1 and ZS30.

Plainly, the two cameras have the same sensor dimensions but not the same resolution. You should expect to see the Panasonic ZS30 to resolve greater detail with its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also help you crop photos a bit more aggressively. The more aged SZ1 is going to be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Panasonic SZ1 vs Panasonic ZS30 sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ1 vs Panasonic ZS30 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic SZ1 vs Panasonic ZS30 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic SZ1
Portrait photography with Panasonic ZS30
34
good MP (16 megapixels)
features face detection autofocus
no manual focus
lack of manual mode
can't use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
33
good MP (18MP)
lack of manual focus
external flash not possible
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 Street photography factors
Panasonic ZS30 Street photography factors
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (131 grams)
screen does not articulate
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
66
built in image stabilization (Optical)
has touch focus
lighter than competitors in class (198g)
no articulating screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 Sports photography factors
Panasonic ZS30 Sports photography factors
40
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16MP)
features tracking autofocus
max fps very slow (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
46
great zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (18 megapixels)
comes with tracking focus
low maximum shutter speed (1/1,200s)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
bad battery life (260 shots)
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 Travel photography highlights
Panasonic ZS30 Travel photography highlights
70
lighter than average in class (131g)
good MP (16MP)
built-in flash
decently wide (25mm)
great zoom (250mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
69
lighter than competitors in class (198g)
has touch focus
good MP (18 megapixels)
built-in flash
quite wide (24mm)
great zoom (480mm)
missing Time Lapse function
bad battery life (260 shots)
does not offer selfie friendly display
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 Landscape photography information
Panasonic ZS30 Landscape photography information
43
decently wide (25mm)
good sized screen (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16MP)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
lack of manual mode
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
does not have Time Lapse mode
44
quite wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (18 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
bad battery life (260 CIPA)
missing Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 Vlogging information
Panasonic ZS30 Vlogging information
32
decently wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
features face detection autofocus
lighter than average in class (131 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have external mic socket
35
quite wide (24mm)
touchscreen functionality
built in image stabilization (Optical)
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competitors in class (198g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
does not offer selfie friendly display
missing mic support
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Panasonic SZ1 vs Panasonic ZS30 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ1 and Panasonic ZS30
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Panasonic
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30
Also called - Lumix DMC-TZ40
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2012-01-09 2013-01-07
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD 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 16 megapixel 18 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 4896 x 3672
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 23 23
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-250mm (10.0x) 24-480mm (20.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.1-5.9 f/3.3-6.4
Macro focus distance 4cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 230 thousand dots 920 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display technology TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 8 secs 15 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/1200 secs
Continuous shutter rate 1.0 frames per second 10.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 5.60 m 6.40 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance 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) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (220 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic 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 131 gr (0.29 lb) 198 gr (0.44 lb)
Physical dimensions 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") 105 x 59 x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 250 photographs 260 photographs
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Retail cost $179 $250