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Panasonic ZS10 vs Sony W230

Portability
91
Imaging
37
Features
46
Overall
40
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS10 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230 front
Portability
95
Imaging
34
Features
25
Overall
30

Panasonic ZS10 vs Sony W230 Key Specs

Panasonic ZS10
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-384mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 219g - 105 x 58 x 33mm
  • Launched January 2011
  • Other Name is Lumix DMC-TZ20 / Lumix DMC-TZ22
Sony W230
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 30-120mm (F2.8-5.8) lens
  • 156g - 95 x 57 x 22mm
  • Released February 2009
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Panasonic ZS10 vs Sony W230 Overview

Below, we will be reviewing the Panasonic ZS10 versus Sony W230, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by companies Panasonic and Sony. The image resolution of the ZS10 (14MP) and the W230 (12MP) is pretty well matched and they possess the exact same sensor size (1/2.3").

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The ZS10 was revealed 24 months after the W230 which makes the cameras a generation away from each other. The two cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before we go straight into a in depth comparison, below is a short synopsis of how the ZS10 grades versus the W230 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS10 over the Sony W230

 ZS10 W230 
ReleasedJanuary 2011February 2009Newer by 24 months
Screen resolution460k230kClearer screen (+230k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Sony W230 over the Panasonic ZS10

 W230 ZS10 
Focus manually Dial accurate focus

Common features in the Panasonic ZS10 and Sony W230

 ZS10 W230 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen size
Selfie screen No selfie screen

Panasonic ZS10 vs Sony W230 Physical Comparison

If you are looking to travel with your camera, you need to consider its weight and proportions. The Panasonic ZS10 comes with outer measurements of 105mm x 58mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") having a weight of 219 grams (0.48 lbs) while the Sony W230 has measurements of 95mm x 57mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 156 grams (0.34 lbs).

Contrast the Panasonic ZS10 versus Sony W230 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you are utilising at that time. The following is the front view size comparison of the ZS10 versus the W230.

Panasonic ZS10 vs Sony W230 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the ZS10 and W230 is 91 and 95 respectively.

Panasonic ZS10 vs Sony W230 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS10 vs Sony W230 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, its difficult to see the gap between sensor dimensions just by looking at specifications. The pic below may provide you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the ZS10 and W230.

Plainly, both of the cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements albeit not the same resolution. You should expect the Panasonic ZS10 to give extra detail because of its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will allow you to crop photographs somewhat more aggressively. The younger ZS10 is going to have an edge when it comes to sensor technology.

Panasonic ZS10 vs Sony W230 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS10 vs Sony W230 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS10 vs Sony W230 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS10 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony W230 as a Portrait photography camera
30
MP count decent (14MP)
no manual focus
can't use external flash
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
27
manual focus
manual exposure not possible
external flash not possible
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS10 Street photography highlights
Sony W230 Street photography highlights
65
built in image stabilization (Optical)
has focus by touch
lighter than competition in class (219 grams)
screen is fixed
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic ZS10
Sports photography with Sony W230
47
long zoom range (24-384mm 16.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
supports tracking focus
sensor is small (1/2.3")
terrible battery pack (260 per charge)
doesn't have phase detect AF
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
max frames per second very slow (2.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS10 Travel photography details
Sony W230 Travel photography details
67
lighter than competition in class (219g)
has focus by touch
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
pretty wide (24mm)
great reach (384mm)
does not have Timelapse mode
terrible battery pack (260 per charge)
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
51
flash built-in
no Timelapse mode
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
wide angle not fantastic (30mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS10 Landscape photography information
Sony W230 Landscape photography information
42
pretty wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
terrible battery pack (260 CIPA)
does not have Timelapse mode
36
manual focus
screen size is good (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (30mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
manual exposure not possible
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
no Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS10 Vlogging details
Sony W230 Vlogging details
34
pretty wide (24mm)
touch screen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
great video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition in class (219g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have microphone support
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not fantastic (30mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
screen is not selfie friendly
low res video (640 x 480 resolution)
no external microphone support
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Panasonic ZS10 vs Sony W230 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS10 and Sony W230
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS10Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230
General Information
Company Panasonic Sony
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS10 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230
Also called Lumix DMC-TZ20 / Lumix DMC-TZ22 -
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2011-01-25 2009-02-17
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Venus Engine FHD -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4320 x 3240 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 6400 3200
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
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 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-384mm (16.0x) 30-120mm (4.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.3-5.9 f/2.8-5.8
Macro focusing distance 3cm 4cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 460k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60s 1s
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000s 1/1600s
Continuous shooting rate 10.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 5.00 m 3.90 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 640x480
Video format MPEG-4, AVCHD Motion JPEG
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 219 grams (0.48 pounds) 156 grams (0.34 pounds)
Dimensions 105 x 58 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") 95 x 57 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
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 photos -
Battery style Battery Pack -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Price at launch $350 $180