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Panasonic SZ3 vs Panasonic ZS30

Portability
96
Imaging
40
Features
29
Overall
35
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30 front
Portability
92
Imaging
42
Features
48
Overall
44

Panasonic SZ3 vs Panasonic ZS30 Key Specs

Panasonic SZ3
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 126g - 95 x 56 x 22mm
  • Revealed January 2013
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
  • Announced January 2013
  • Also referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ40
  • Old Model is Panasonic ZS25
  • Later Model is Panasonic ZS35
Photography Glossary

Panasonic SZ3 vs Panasonic ZS30 Overview

Following is a complete review of the Panasonic SZ3 vs Panasonic ZS30, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both of them are built by Panasonic. The resolution of the SZ3 (16MP) and the ZS30 (18MP) is very similar and both cameras have the same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The SZ3 was unveiled very close to the ZS30 and they are of a similar generation. Each of the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before going into a thorough comparison, here is a quick summary of how the SZ3 matches up versus the ZS30 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ3 over the Panasonic ZS30

 SZ3 ZS30 

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS30 over the Panasonic SZ3

 ZS30 SZ3 
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution920k230kClearer display (+690k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Panasonic SZ3 and Panasonic ZS30

 SZ3 ZS30 
AnnouncedJanuary 2013January 2013Similar generation
Manually focus Lack of manual focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen No selfie screen

Panasonic SZ3 vs Panasonic ZS30 Physical Comparison

In case you're intending to carry around your camera often, you're going to have to factor in its weight and volume. The Panasonic SZ3 features outside measurements of 95mm x 56mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") along with a weight of 126 grams (0.28 lbs) and the Panasonic ZS30 has sizing of 105mm x 59mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") and a weight of 198 grams (0.44 lbs).

Take a look at the Panasonic SZ3 vs Panasonic ZS30 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you are employing at that moment. The following is a front view scale comparison of the SZ3 against the ZS30.

Panasonic SZ3 vs Panasonic ZS30 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the SZ3 and ZS30 is 96 and 92 respectively.

Panasonic SZ3 vs Panasonic ZS30 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ3 vs Panasonic ZS30 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it can be tough to visualize the difference between sensor sizes purely by reviewing specs. The image underneath should offer you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the SZ3 and ZS30.

As you can plainly see, both cameras have the same sensor dimensions but different megapixels. You should expect to see the Panasonic ZS30 to deliver more detail having an extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also let you crop pics a bit more aggressively.

Panasonic SZ3 vs Panasonic ZS30 sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ3 vs Panasonic ZS30 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic SZ3 vs Panasonic ZS30 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 Portrait photography features
Panasonic ZS30 Portrait photography features
30
megapixel count decent (16MP)
no manual focus
lack of manual exposure
can't use external flash
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
33
MP count decent (18 megapixels)
manual focus not available
cannot use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 Street photography factors
Panasonic ZS30 Street photography factors
64
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (126g)
no articulating screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
66
image stabilization (Optical)
comes with focus by touch
lighter than competition (198g)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic SZ3
Sports photography with Panasonic ZS30
41
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
supports tracking focus
slow frames per second (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
46
incredible zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (18 megapixels)
comes with tracking autofocus
low maximum shutter speed (1/1,200s)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
bad battery pack (260 shots)
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 Travel photography advice
Panasonic ZS30 Travel photography advice
71
lighter than competition in class (126 grams)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
rather wide (25mm)
long zoom (250mm)
does not have Time Lapse recording
does not offer selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f3.1)
69
lighter than competition (198 grams)
comes with focus by touch
MP count decent (18 megapixels)
flash built-in
really wide (24mm)
very long reach (480mm)
no Time Lapse function
bad battery pack (260 per charge)
does not have selfie friendly screen
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 Landscape photography info
Panasonic ZS30 Landscape photography info
39
rather wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
small screen (2.7 inch)
lack of manual exposure
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
does not have Time Lapse recording
44
really wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (18 megapixels)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
bad battery pack (260 CIPA)
no Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 Vlogging features
Panasonic ZS30 Vlogging features
31
rather wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (126g)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have mic support
35
really wide (24mm)
screen is touchscreen
image stabilization (Optical)
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition (198g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
does not have selfie friendly screen
no external mic port
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Panasonic SZ3 vs Panasonic ZS30 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ3 and Panasonic ZS30
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Panasonic
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30
Also Known as - Lumix DMC-TZ40
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2013-01-07 2013-01-07
Body design 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 megapixels 18 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 4896 x 3672
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 23 23
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-250mm (10.0x) 24-480mm (20.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.1-5.9 f/3.3-6.4
Macro focusing distance 5cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.7 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 230k dot 920k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 60 seconds 15 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/1200 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 1.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 4.10 m 6.40 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
External flash
Auto exposure 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 (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)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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 seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 126g (0.28 lbs) 198g (0.44 lbs)
Physical dimensions 95 x 56 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") 105 x 59 x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1")
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 250 images 260 images
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Launch pricing $150 $250