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Panasonic SZ7 vs Panasonic ZS30

Portability
95
Imaging
37
Features
41
Overall
38
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ7 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30 front
Portability
92
Imaging
42
Features
48
Overall
44

Panasonic SZ7 vs Panasonic ZS30 Key Specs

Panasonic SZ7
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 133g - 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
  • Announced January 2013
  • Other Name is Lumix DMC-TZ40
  • Succeeded the Panasonic ZS25
  • Renewed by Panasonic ZS35
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Panasonic SZ7 vs Panasonic ZS30 Overview

Following is a comprehensive overview of the Panasonic SZ7 and Panasonic ZS30, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both are created by Panasonic. There exists a crucial gap among the image resolutions of the SZ7 (14MP) and ZS30 (18MP) but both cameras posses the same sensor size (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The SZ7 was launched 12 months prior to the ZS30 so they are of a similar generation. Both the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before we go straight to a step-by-step comparison, here is a concise synopsis of how the SZ7 grades versus the ZS30 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ7 over the Panasonic ZS30

 SZ7 ZS30 

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS30 over the Panasonic SZ7

 ZS30 SZ7 
AnnouncedJanuary 2013January 2012More modern by 12 months
Display resolution920k460kClearer display (+460k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Common features in the Panasonic SZ7 and Panasonic ZS30

 SZ7 ZS30 
Focus manually No manual focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display size
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen

Panasonic SZ7 vs Panasonic ZS30 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is planning to carry around your camera, you should factor its weight and size. The Panasonic SZ7 provides exterior dimensions of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") accompanied by a weight of 133 grams (0.29 lbs) and the Panasonic ZS30 has specifications of 105mm x 59mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 198 grams (0.44 lbs).

Compare the Panasonic SZ7 and Panasonic ZS30 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are employing at that time. Following is a front view measurements comparison of the SZ7 and the ZS30.

Panasonic SZ7 vs Panasonic ZS30 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SZ7 and ZS30 is 95 and 92 respectively.

Panasonic SZ7 vs Panasonic ZS30 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ7 vs Panasonic ZS30 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it can be hard to picture the gap in sensor sizes just by going through technical specs. The pic here will help offer you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the SZ7 and ZS30.

As you can tell, both the cameras have the same sensor dimensions but different MP. You should expect to see the Panasonic ZS30 to show extra detail utilizing its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will also let you crop photos a bit more aggressively. The more aged SZ7 will be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

Panasonic SZ7 vs Panasonic ZS30 sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ7 vs Panasonic ZS30 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic SZ7 vs Panasonic ZS30 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic SZ7
Portrait photography with Panasonic ZS30
33
decent megapixels (14MP)
features face detection focus
no manual focus
lack of manual mode
can't use external flash
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
33
MP count good (18MP)
no manual focus
no external flash support
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Panasonic SZ7 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic ZS30 as a Street photography camera
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (133g)
no moving screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
66
has image stabilization (Optical)
boasts touch focus
lighter than competition in class (198g)
no articulating screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic SZ7 Sports photography factors
Panasonic ZS30 Sports photography factors
43
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
features tracking autofocus
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
46
excellent zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (18 megapixels)
features tracking focus
low maximum shutter speed (1/1,200 seconds)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
bad battery (260 per charge)
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic SZ7
Travel photography with Panasonic ZS30
70
lighter than competition (133g)
decent megapixels (14MP)
built-in flash
really wide (25mm)
very long zoom (250mm)
does not have Timelapse mode
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
69
lighter than competition in class (198 grams)
boasts touch focus
MP count good (18 megapixels)
built-in flash
decently wide (24mm)
very long reach (480mm)
missing Timelapse mode
bad battery (260 CIPA)
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic SZ7 Landscape photography highlights
Panasonic ZS30 Landscape photography highlights
42
really wide (25mm)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (14MP)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
lack of manual mode
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
does not have Timelapse mode
44
decently wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (18MP)
no manual focus
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
bad battery (260 per charge)
missing Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic SZ7 Vlogging info
Panasonic ZS30 Vlogging info
35
really wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
features face detection focus
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition (133 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
does not have external microphone support
35
decently wide (24mm)
touch screen
has image stabilization (Optical)
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition in class (198g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
display is not selfie friendly
missing microphone support
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Panasonic SZ7 vs Panasonic ZS30 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ7 and Panasonic ZS30
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ7Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30
General Information
Company Panasonic Panasonic
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ7 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30
Otherwise known as - Lumix DMC-TZ40
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2012-01-09 2013-01-07
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS 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 14MP 18MP
Anti alias 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 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 23 23
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-250mm (10.0x) 24-480mm (20.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.1-5.9 f/3.3-6.4
Macro focusing distance 4cm 3cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 460 thousand dots 920 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display tech TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 8s 15s
Maximum shutter speed 1/1600s 1/1200s
Continuous shooting rate 10.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 5.60 m 6.40 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60, 30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30fps), 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 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, AVCHD MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone 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
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 133 grams (0.29 lb) 198 grams (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 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 220 pictures 260 pictures
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots One One
Retail price $199 $250