Panasonic Lumix TS4 vs. Samsung SL30: An In-Depth Practical Comparison for Discerning Photographers

Selecting the right compact camera requires more than just platform specs on paper; it depends on how a camera performs across diverse scenarios, its handling, flexibility, and how it integrates in a photographer’s workflow. Within this context, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS4 (hereafter “TS4”) and the Samsung SL30 emerge as contenders targeted at enthusiasts who prioritize portability, ease-of-use, and decent image quality without professional system overhead. This detailed comparison leverages hands-on testing experience and rigorous evaluation criteria to help you understand where each excels and falls short, across key photographic disciplines and operational parameters.

Design, Ergonomics, and Build Quality: Compact Versatility vs Basic Handling

At first glance, the TS4 and SL30 share the compact form factor ethos but diverge significantly in construction and usability features.

• Panasonic TS4: Built as a waterproof rugged compact, the TS4 boasts environmental sealing (waterproof, shockproof, dustproof, and freeze proof certifications). With dimensions of 103 x 64 x 27 mm and weighing 197 grams with batteries, it feels notably stout and robust in hand. The more substantial grip and textured body surfaces enhance secure handling in challenging environments such as outdoor rugged shoots or underwater scenarios.

• Samsung SL30: By contrast, the SL30 (94 x 61 x 23 mm, 140 grams) is a basic small sensor compact optimized for casual street and travel photography. It offers a light, pocketable form without weather sealing, resorting to a minimalist approach with less tactile surface differentiation and a simpler build.

Both cameras lack an electronic viewfinder, relying only on rear LCDs - an increasingly common compromise in compact digitals to keep size and cost low.

Controls on the TS4 benefit from dedicated buttons for exposure adjustment and a programmable manual exposure mode, elevating its suitability for users wanting more control. The SL30 dispenses with manual exposure options altogether, trading simplicity for casual convenience.

Sensor and Image Quality: Diving Into Technical Foundations

Both cameras feature the same sized 1/2.3” CCD sensor measuring 6.08 x 4.56 mm, producing a sensor area of 27.72 mm². Despite sharing this sensor size, key parameters highlight differing image quality outputs.

• Resolution: The TS4’s 12 MP resolution surpasses the SL30’s 10 MP by a modest margin, translating into larger maximum image dimensions (4000 x 3000 px vs. 3648 x 2736 px). While this marginal increase provides some cropping flexibility, neither camera delivers the resolution to rival larger-sensor counterparts.

• ISO Range: TS4 offers a wider ISO range of 100-6400 native, whereas SL30 peaks at ISO 1600, limiting low-light flexibility. CCD sensors traditionally struggle with higher ISO noise, and practical tests confirm the TS4 manages noise marginally better due to more advanced processing (Venus Engine FHD).

• Noise Reduction and Image Processing: The TS4 utilizes Panasonic’s Venus Engine FHD image processor, yielding better sharpening and noise control than the comparatively basic processing in the SL30, which lacks any notable image processor branding.

• Lens Advantage: Optical zoom ranges differ considerably - the TS4 offers a more versatile 28-128mm equivalent (4.6x zoom) at f/3.3-5.9 aperture versus SL30’s 38-114mm equivalent (3x zoom) at f/2.8-5.7. The TS4’s wider ultra-wide end is advantageous for landscapes and travel, whereas SL30’s bright wide aperture at the widest zoom setting offers better subject isolation in some conditions.

• Raw Capabilities: Neither camera supports raw capture, limiting post-processing control. They deliver JPEG-only outputs, reinforcing their appeal to users who prefer straightforward point-and-shoot convenience.

Autofocus and Shooting Performance: Responsiveness Matters

Autofocus systems dictate usability depending on shooting style and subjects.

• Panasonic TS4: Employs contrast-detection autofocus with 23 focus points and continuous AF tracking capabilities. Although face detection is not supported, tracking moving subjects in continuous shooting mode (4 fps) is viable in daylight or moderately lit scenes. Manual focus is unavailable, but manual exposure provides some creative control.

• Samsung SL30: Features simpler contrast-detection AF with face detection support but only single AF mode (no continuous AF or tracking). This limits performance in dynamic scenarios such as sports or wildlife. The camera lacks continuous shooting capability data but is generally slower - matching expectations for its era and marketing segment.

Display and User Interface: Efficiency and Clarity

Both cameras employ non-touch fixed TFT LCDs with low resolution (230K dots), adequate for framing but less revealing for image review. The TS4’s larger 2.7” screen grants marginally improved visibility compared to the SL30’s 2.5”.

The TS4’s interface is more configurable with dedicated exposure compensation, custom white balance, and manual exposure modes. The SL30’s simpler menus focus on ease, offering limited customization.

Video Recording Capabilities: Modest Options

• Panasonic TS4: Offers Full HD 1080p video capture at 60 or 30 fps using efficient AVCHD and MPEG-4 codecs. Optical image stabilization enhances handheld video steadiness, a crucial advantage for casual videographers. However, no microphone input or headphone monitoring is present.

• Samsung SL30: Max video resolution is limited to VGA (640 x 480) at 30 fps, with Motion JPEG format, resulting in bulky files and inferior video quality. No stabilization or audio input support is available, underscoring its basic video functionality.

Durability and Environmental Resistance: A Distinctive Advantage

One of TS4’s defining features is its extensive environmental protection:

• Waterproof to depths suitable for shallow snorkeling
• Dust and shockproof design for rugged outdoor conditions
• Freezeproof capabilities expanding operational temperature range

The SL30 lacks any such sealing and is vulnerable to typical grime, moisture, and cold, confining it primarily to benign indoor and urban shooting environments.

Battery Life and Storage: Practical Considerations for Extended Use

• TS4: Rated for approximately 310 shots per charge, powered by a proprietary battery pack. It accepts SD/SDHC/SDXC cards with a single slot. GPS tagging built-in facilitates geo-location metadata, assisting travel photographers.

• SL30: Battery life metrics unspecified but traditionally less robust given its older design and smaller battery. It supports SD/SDHC/MMC cards similarly, but lacks GPS.

Zoom Range and Macro Performance: Close-Ups and Reach

Both cameras offer macro focus ranges of approximately 5 cm, enabling reasonably close subject capture. TS4’s longer zoom range (4.6x) gives more flexibility for framing distant subjects, helpful for travel and wildlife snapshots, while SL30’s shorter zoom and brighter aperture aid in low-light and shallow depth-of-field conditions.

Practical Field Testing: Image Gallery and Genre Suitability

Panasonic TS4 front Panasonic TS4 screen back Samsung SL30 front Samsung SL30 screen back

Field tests across portrait, landscape, and casual outdoor shooting yield the following insights:

• Portraits: SL30’s wider aperture at the short end succeeds better in subject isolation, delivering softer backgrounds although limited by sensor size. TS4’s lack of face detection and lower aperture range yields less pronounced bokeh but sufficient for casual portraits.

• Landscapes: TS4’s wider focal length and better dynamic range produce more balanced exposures. Its environmental sealing encourages confident use outdoors in variable weather.

• Wildlife and Sports: Neither camera can be classified as a high-speed shooter. TS4’s continuous AF and 4 fps burst enable basic action capture but autofocus speed and tracking fall short of enthusiast standards. SL30 is limited for action with only single AF mode and slower response.

• Street and Travel: SL30’s smaller size and lighter weight favor discreet urban use but its lack of weather sealing demands caution. TS4’s bulkier frame is balanced by ruggedness and longer zoom, suiting adventurous travel and unpredictable shooting environments.

• Macro: Both perform adequately, with TS4’s stabilization aiding handheld close-up sharpness.

• Night and Astro: Neither camera’s small, noisy CCD sensor nor limited high ISO performance make them ideal for night or astrophotography, though TS4’s extended ISO ceiling offers marginally better low-light usability.

Evaluating Overall Performance: Side-By-Side Ratings

The numeric breakdown (while approximate and inferred from testing) highlights:

When broken down by photographic genres, the TS4’s ruggedness, zoom range, and video capabilities give it an edge for travel, landscape, and casual wildlife photography, while the SL30’s simpler design suits street photography beginners or those seeking an ultra-affordable compact.

Lens Mount and Future-proofing: Ecosystem Context

Both cameras rely on fixed lenses with no option for interchangeability, a fundamental limitation versus mirrorless or DSLR systems. Thus, users must evaluate zoom and aperture flexibility rather than focal change potential.

TS4’s wider zoom range and stabilized optics provide more shooting latitude. Samsung SL30’s broader aperture at the wide-angle end enhances low-light and portrait effects but at a cost to focal reach.

Connectivity and Interface: Modern Convenience vs. Legacy Limitations

Neither camera offers wireless connectivity such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or NFC, curtailing instant image transfer options common in modern cameras. HDMI output is present only on the TS4, supporting clean playback on external monitors.

USB 2.0 interfaces on both suffice for basic data transfer.

Recommendations by User Profile and Budget

Who Should Consider the Panasonic TS4?

• Enthusiasts or adventurers requiring a highly durable waterproof compact
• Travelers who want modest zoom versatility with a rugged camera
• Users desiring Full HD video with optical stabilization
• Photographers prepared to forego raw imaging but benefit from manual exposure control
• Shooters in variable, challenging environments where durability is crucial

Who Finds the Samsung SL30 Suitable?

• Budget-conscious buyers seeking a basic, simple point-and-shoot for everyday photography
• Casual street photographers prioritizing pocketability over ruggedness
• Users interested in a bright aperture wide-angle for portraits or indoor scenes despite sensor constraints
• Those who prioritize simplicity and are willing to accept limited performance in action or low light

Conclusion: Balancing Precision Needs with Practical Reality

After extensive evaluation of specifications, field usability, and photographic outcomes, the Panasonic Lumix TS4 emerges as a more complete compact camera solution for photographers who demand robustness, versatile zoom, and improved video capability. Its environmental sealing and manual controls widen potential applications beyond casual snapshots into the realm of adventure travel and light sports photography.

Conversely, the Samsung SL30 offers a stripped-down experience oriented toward absolute ease and affordability, suitable for novices or secondary cameras where ruggedness and advanced features are nonessential.

The TS4’s higher upfront cost ($399 vs. ~$93) aligns with its enhanced capabilities, making it a rational investment for photographers who understand the constraints but require durable, flexible imaging tools. Meanwhile, the SL30 remains an accessible entry point for everyday instant capture without workflow complexity.

Prospective buyers should carefully weigh their primary use cases, environment exposure, and desire for manual overrides against budgetary constraints to make an informed choice tailored to their photographic ambitions.

This comparison is grounded in extensive practical testing, sensor analysis, and real-world shooting scenarios, providing clarity on what these two compact cameras genuinely offer beyond their spec sheets.

Should you require ruggedness and broader shooting capabilities within a compact form, the Panasonic Lumix TS4 stands out convincingly. For casual photography novices prioritizing simplicity and cost-efficiency, the Samsung SL30 continues to hold an appeal within its category.

Article images courtesy of hands-on field tests and manufacturer documentation.