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Panasonic SZ5 vs Panasonic ZS30

Portability
95
Imaging
38
Features
34
Overall
36
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30 front
Portability
92
Imaging
42
Features
48
Overall
44

Panasonic SZ5 vs Panasonic ZS30 Key Specs

Panasonic SZ5
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Bump to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 136g - 104 x 58 x 21mm
  • Revealed July 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
  • Announced January 2013
  • Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-TZ40
  • Superseded the Panasonic ZS25
  • Renewed by Panasonic ZS35
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Panasonic SZ5 vs Panasonic ZS30 Overview

The following is a in depth assessment of the Panasonic SZ5 versus Panasonic ZS30, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both are manufactured by Panasonic. There exists a big gap among the resolutions of the SZ5 (14MP) and ZS30 (18MP) but both cameras offer the same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The SZ5 was brought out 5 months prior to the ZS30 so they are of a similar generation. Both of these cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before delving into a detailed comparison, here is a brief introduction of how the SZ5 matches up against the ZS30 for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ5 over the Panasonic ZS30

 SZ5 ZS30 

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS30 over the Panasonic SZ5

 ZS30 SZ5 
Display resolution920k230kSharper display (+690k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Panasonic SZ5 and Panasonic ZS30

 SZ5 ZS30 
AnnouncedJuly 2012January 2013Same generation
Manual focus No manual focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display measurement
Selfie screen No selfie screen

Panasonic SZ5 vs Panasonic ZS30 Physical Comparison

When you are planning to travel with your camera regularly, you'll need to take into account its weight and volume. The Panasonic SZ5 has got external dimensions of 104mm x 58mm x 21mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 0.8") and a weight of 136 grams (0.30 lbs) while the Panasonic ZS30 has sizing of 105mm x 59mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 198 grams (0.44 lbs).

Analyze the Panasonic SZ5 versus Panasonic ZS30 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you are using at the time. Below is a front view dimension comparison of the SZ5 versus the ZS30.

Panasonic SZ5 vs Panasonic ZS30 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SZ5 and ZS30 is 95 and 92 respectively.

Panasonic SZ5 vs Panasonic ZS30 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ5 vs Panasonic ZS30 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it's hard to see the contrast in sensor dimensions purely by researching a spec sheet. The picture underneath might offer you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the SZ5 and ZS30.

Clearly, the 2 cameras have the same sensor dimensions but not the same MP. You should expect to see the Panasonic ZS30 to result in more detail having its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will allow you to crop images a bit more aggressively.

Panasonic SZ5 vs Panasonic ZS30 sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ5 vs Panasonic ZS30 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic SZ5 vs Panasonic ZS30 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic SZ5 Portrait photography info
Panasonic ZS30 Portrait photography info
34
good resolution (14 megapixels)
provides face detect focus
no manual focus
no manual control
can't use external flash
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
33
megapixel count decent (18 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
can't use external flash
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Panasonic SZ5 Street photography details
Panasonic ZS30 Street photography details
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors (136 grams)
no moving screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
66
built in image stabilization (Optical)
features focus by touch
lighter than competition (198g)
screen is fixed
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic SZ5 Sports photography details
Panasonic ZS30 Sports photography details
40
image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (14 megapixels)
provides tracking focus
slow fps (2.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
46
excellent zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (18 megapixels)
features tracking autofocus
low maximum shutter speed (1/1,200 seconds)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
bad battery power (260 shots)
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic SZ5 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic ZS30 as a Travel photography camera
70
lighter than competitors (136 grams)
good resolution (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
relatively wide (25mm)
very long zoom (250mm)
missing Timelapse mode
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
69
lighter than competition (198g)
features focus by touch
megapixel count decent (18 megapixels)
has built in flash
pretty wide (24mm)
long zoom (480mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
bad battery power (260 per charge)
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic SZ5 Landscape photography features
Panasonic ZS30 Landscape photography features
42
relatively wide (25mm)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (14 megapixels)
no manual focus
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
no manual control
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
missing Timelapse mode
44
pretty wide (24mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (18MP)
focusing manually not possible
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
bad battery power (260 per charge)
doesn't have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic SZ5 Vlogging highlights
Panasonic ZS30 Vlogging highlights
32
relatively wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect focus
lighter than competitors (136g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
display isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing microphone socket
35
pretty wide (24mm)
touchscreen capability
built in image stabilization (Optical)
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition (198g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
doesn't have external microphone port
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Panasonic SZ5 vs Panasonic ZS30 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ5 and Panasonic ZS30
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30
General Information
Company Panasonic Panasonic
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30
Also called as - Lumix DMC-TZ40
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2012-07-18 2013-01-07
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 18 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4320 x 3240 4896 x 3672
Maximum native ISO 1600 6400
Maximum boosted ISO 6400 -
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 23 23
Lens
Lens mounting type 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 5cm 3cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 230k dot 920k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen tech TFT Screen LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 8s 15s
Highest shutter speed 1/1600s 1/1200s
Continuous shooting speed 2.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 5.60 m 6.40 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720p ( 30,25 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25 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
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 136 grams (0.30 lbs) 198 grams (0.44 lbs)
Physical dimensions 104 x 58 x 21mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 0.8") 105 x 59 x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" 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 250 pictures 260 pictures
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots One One
Launch price $195 $250