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Panasonic SZ8 vs Panasonic TS30

Portability
94
Imaging
40
Features
31
Overall
36
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS30 front
Portability
95
Imaging
40
Features
31
Overall
36

Panasonic SZ8 vs Panasonic TS30 Key Specs

Panasonic SZ8
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Push to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-288mm (F3.1-6.3) lens
  • 159g - 100 x 60 x 27mm
  • Launched January 2014
Panasonic TS30
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Expand to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-100mm (F3.9-5.7) lens
  • 142g - 104 x 58 x 20mm
  • Launched January 2015
  • Also Known as Lumix DMC-FT30
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Panasonic SZ8 vs Panasonic TS30 Overview

Below is a in-depth overview of the Panasonic SZ8 versus Panasonic TS30, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Waterproof and both of them are sold by Panasonic. The resolution of the SZ8 (16MP) and the TS30 (16MP) is pretty comparable and both cameras offer the same sensor size (1/2.3").

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The SZ8 was revealed 12 months prior to the TS30 which means that they are both of a similar age. Both of the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before delving right into a complete comparison, here is a brief introduction of how the SZ8 grades against the TS30 for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ8 over the Panasonic TS30

 SZ8 TS30 
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kCrisper screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic TS30 over the Panasonic SZ8

 TS30 SZ8 
LaunchedJanuary 2015January 2014More recent by 12 months

Common features in the Panasonic SZ8 and Panasonic TS30

 SZ8 TS30 
Focus manually No manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Missing Touch friendly screen

Panasonic SZ8 vs Panasonic TS30 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is aiming to lug around your camera often, you will have to factor its weight and proportions. The Panasonic SZ8 provides external dimensions of 100mm x 60mm x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") having a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs) and the Panasonic TS30 has measurements of 104mm x 58mm x 20mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 0.8") with a weight of 142 grams (0.31 lbs).

Contrast the Panasonic SZ8 versus Panasonic TS30 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you have attached at that moment. Underneath is a front view size comparison of the SZ8 against the TS30.

Panasonic SZ8 vs Panasonic TS30 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SZ8 and TS30 is 94 and 95 respectively.

Panasonic SZ8 vs Panasonic TS30 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ8 vs Panasonic TS30 Sensor Comparison

Typically, its difficult to envision the gap in sensor measurements merely by checking out a spec sheet. The visual below may give you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the SZ8 and TS30.

As you can see, both of these cameras have the same sensor dimensions and the same megapixels therefore you can expect comparable quality of pictures although you need to factor the age of the cameras into account. The older SZ8 will be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.

Panasonic SZ8 vs Panasonic TS30 sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ8 vs Panasonic TS30 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic SZ8 vs Panasonic TS30 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic SZ8
Portrait photography with Panasonic TS30
35
good MP (16 megapixels)
supports face detection autofocus
lack of manual focus
lack of manual exposure
external flash not possible
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
35
megapixel count decent (16MP)
includes face detect autofocus
manual focus not available
lack of manual mode
no external flash support
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Street Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic TS30 as a Street photography camera
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors (159g)
screen is fixed
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
67
image stabilization (Optical)
weather sealing
lighter than average (142g)
fixed screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Sports photography features
Panasonic TS30 Sports photography features
34
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16MP)
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
bad battery pack (200 CIPA)
does not have phase detect autofocus
42
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
includes tracking focus
weather sealing
low max shutter speed (1/1,300s)
slow continuous shooting (1.3 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic SZ8
Travel photography with Panasonic TS30
67
lighter than competitors (159 grams)
good MP (16MP)
flash built-in
quite wide (24mm)
long reach (288mm)
missing Time Lapse mode
bad battery pack (200 per charge)
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
74
lighter than average (142 grams)
weather sealing
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
rather wide (25mm)
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.9)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Landscape photography advice
Panasonic TS30 Landscape photography advice
42
quite wide (24mm)
screen is a good size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16MP)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
lack of manual exposure
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
bad battery pack (200 CIPA)
missing Time Lapse mode
43
rather wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
weather sealing
manual focus not available
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.9)
small screen (2.7 inch)
lack of manual mode
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Vlogging advice
Panasonic TS30 Vlogging advice
32
quite wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detection autofocus
lighter than competitors (159 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
display is not selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing external mic socket
33
rather wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detect autofocus
lighter than average (142 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.9)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have microphone jack
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Panasonic SZ8 vs Panasonic TS30 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ8 and Panasonic TS30
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS30
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Panasonic
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS30
Also referred to as - Lumix DMC-FT30
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Waterproof
Launched 2014-01-06 2015-01-06
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Venus Engine -
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 1600 1600
Max boosted ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 9 23
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-288mm (12.0x) 25-100mm (4.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.1-6.3 f/3.9-5.7
Macro focus range - 5cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.9
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3" 2.7"
Screen resolution 460k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen tech TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 8 secs 8 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/1300 secs
Continuous shooting speed 1.0fps 1.3fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 5.20 m 4.40 m
Flash modes Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off Auto, auto w/redeye reduction, on, slow sync w/redeye reduction, off
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p), 320 x 240 (30p) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 159 grams (0.35 lbs) 142 grams (0.31 lbs)
Physical dimensions 100 x 60 x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") 104 x 58 x 20mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 0.8")
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 200 shots 250 shots
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Cost at launch $275 $180