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Panasonic XS1 vs Panasonic ZS30

Portability
97
Imaging
40
Features
26
Overall
34
Panasonic Lumix DMC-XS1 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30 front
Portability
92
Imaging
42
Features
48
Overall
44

Panasonic XS1 vs Panasonic ZS30 Key Specs

Panasonic XS1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-120mm (F2.8-6.9) lens
  • 103g - 94 x 54 x 14mm
  • Released January 2013
Panasonic ZS30
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-480mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 198g - 105 x 59 x 28mm
  • Released January 2013
  • Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-TZ40
  • Replaced the Panasonic ZS25
  • Refreshed by Panasonic ZS35
Photography Glossary

Panasonic XS1 vs Panasonic ZS30 Overview

In this write-up, we will be comparing the Panasonic XS1 versus Panasonic ZS30, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom and they are both offered by Panasonic. The image resolution of the XS1 (16MP) and the ZS30 (18MP) is relatively similar and they come with the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The XS1 was manufactured about the same time to the ZS30 so they are of a similar generation. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before delving straight into a full comparison, below is a brief overview of how the XS1 grades against the ZS30 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic XS1 over the Panasonic ZS30

 XS1 ZS30 

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS30 over the Panasonic XS1

 ZS30 XS1 
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution920k230kClearer screen (+690k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Panasonic XS1 and Panasonic ZS30

 XS1 ZS30 
ReleasedJanuary 2013January 2013Similar generation
Focus manually No manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen

Panasonic XS1 vs Panasonic ZS30 Physical Comparison

In case you're aiming to carry around your camera regularly, you will want to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic XS1 has outer measurements of 94mm x 54mm x 14mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.6") having a weight of 103 grams (0.23 lbs) and the Panasonic ZS30 has dimensions of 105mm x 59mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") having a weight of 198 grams (0.44 lbs).

Check the Panasonic XS1 versus Panasonic ZS30 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are utilizing at the time. Here is the front view proportions comparison of the XS1 versus the ZS30.

Panasonic XS1 vs Panasonic ZS30 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the XS1 and ZS30 is 97 and 92 respectively.

Panasonic XS1 vs Panasonic ZS30 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic XS1 vs Panasonic ZS30 Sensor Comparison

Often, its tough to imagine the contrast between sensor sizes purely by reading a spec sheet. The picture here might provide you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the XS1 and ZS30.

Clearly, both of the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit different resolution. You should count on the Panasonic ZS30 to offer you extra detail due to its extra 2MP. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop shots far more aggressively.

Panasonic XS1 vs Panasonic ZS30 sensor size comparison

Panasonic XS1 vs Panasonic ZS30 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic XS1 vs Panasonic ZS30 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic XS1
Portrait photography with Panasonic ZS30
30
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
no manual focus
lack of manual mode
can't use external flash
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
33
decent sensor resolution (18 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
external flash not possible
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic XS1 Street photography features
Panasonic ZS30 Street photography features
64
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (103g)
no moving screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
66
has image stabilization (Optical)
provides focus by touch
lighter than competition in class (198g)
fixed screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic XS1
Sports photography with Panasonic ZS30
41
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16MP)
provides tracking focus
slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
46
amazing zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (18MP)
has tracking focus
maximum shutter speed is a little low (1/1,200s)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
not so great battery power (260 shots)
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic XS1
Travel photography with Panasonic ZS30
69
lighter than competitors in class (103 grams)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
pretty wide (24mm)
missing Time Lapse function
screen is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f2.8)
69
lighter than competition in class (198 grams)
provides focus by touch
decent sensor resolution (18 megapixels)
built-in flash
rather wide (24mm)
long reach (480mm)
missing Time Lapse mode
not so great battery power (260 CIPA)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic XS1 Landscape photography details
Panasonic ZS30 Landscape photography details
39
pretty wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16MP)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
small screen (2.7")
lack of manual mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
missing Time Lapse function
44
rather wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (18MP)
focusing manually not possible
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
not so great battery power (260 shots)
missing Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic XS1
Vlogging with Panasonic ZS30
31
pretty wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (103 grams)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen is not selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing mic jack
35
rather wide (24mm)
touchscreen capability
has image stabilization (Optical)
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition in class (198 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
missing mic jack
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Panasonic XS1 vs Panasonic ZS30 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic XS1 and Panasonic ZS30
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-XS1Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30
General Information
Company Panasonic Panasonic
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-XS1 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30
Otherwise known as - Lumix DMC-TZ40
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 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 surface 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
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 4896 x 3672
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points - 23
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-120mm (5.0x) 24-480mm (20.0x)
Highest aperture f/2.8-6.9 f/3.3-6.4
Macro focusing distance 5cm 3cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.7" 3"
Screen resolution 230 thousand dot 920 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60s 15s
Highest shutter speed 1/1600s 1/1200s
Continuous shooting speed 1.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 4.40 m 6.40 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
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 data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic input
Headphone input
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 seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 103 gr (0.23 pounds) 198 gr (0.44 pounds)
Dimensions 94 x 54 x 14mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.6") 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 260 pictures 260 pictures
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Cost at launch $130 $250