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Panasonic ZS15 vs Sony HX30V

Portability
92
Imaging
36
Features
37
Overall
36
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V front
Portability
90
Imaging
41
Features
50
Overall
44

Panasonic ZS15 vs Sony HX30V Key Specs

Panasonic ZS15
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-384mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 208g - 105 x 58 x 33mm
  • Launched June 2012
  • Other Name is Lumix DMC-TZ25
  • New Model is Panasonic ZS20
Sony HX30V
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-500mm (F3.2-5.8) lens
  • 254g - 107 x 62 x 35mm
  • Revealed February 2012
  • Succeeded the Sony HX20V
  • Successor is Sony HX50V
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Panasonic ZS15 vs Sony HX30V Overview

Below is a complete comparison of the Panasonic ZS15 and Sony HX30V, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by manufacturers Panasonic and Sony. There exists a noticeable gap among the image resolutions of the ZS15 (12MP) and HX30V (18MP) but both cameras provide the same sensor size (1/2.3").

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The ZS15 was launched 5 months later than the HX30V and they are both of a similar age. The two cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before we go into a detailed comparison, here is a quick view of how the ZS15 grades vs the HX30V when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS15 over the Sony HX30V

 ZS15 HX30V 

Reasons to pick Sony HX30V over the Panasonic ZS15

 HX30V ZS15 
Manually focus Very accurate focusing
Screen resolution922k460kCrisper screen (+462k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic ZS15 and Sony HX30V

 ZS15 HX30V 
RevealedJune 2012February 2012Same age
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen size
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch screen Neither provides Touch screen

Panasonic ZS15 vs Sony HX30V Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to lug around your camera regularly, you are going to need to consider its weight and proportions. The Panasonic ZS15 provides outer measurements of 105mm x 58mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") with a weight of 208 grams (0.46 lbs) while the Sony HX30V has measurements of 107mm x 62mm x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4") along with a weight of 254 grams (0.56 lbs).

Check out the Panasonic ZS15 and Sony HX30V in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you select at the time. The following is a front view proportions comparison of the ZS15 and the HX30V.

Panasonic ZS15 vs Sony HX30V size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the ZS15 and HX30V is 92 and 90 respectively.

Panasonic ZS15 vs Sony HX30V top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS15 vs Sony HX30V Sensor Comparison

Normally, it's hard to visualize the contrast in sensor measurements only by checking out technical specs. The graphic underneath may give you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the ZS15 and HX30V.

As you have seen, each of these cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit different MP. You can expect the Sony HX30V to produce extra detail utilizing its extra 6 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop shots a bit more aggressively.

Panasonic ZS15 vs Sony HX30V sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS15 vs Sony HX30V Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS15 vs Sony HX30V Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS15 Portrait photography advice
Sony HX30V Portrait photography advice
21
manual focus not available
cannot use external flash
low resolution (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
44
manual focus
decent megapixels (18MP)
has face detect autofocus
can't use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS15 as a Street photography camera
Sony HX30V as a Street photography camera
61
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (208g)
screen is fixed
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
61
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (254 grams)
fixed screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS15 Sports photography factors
Sony HX30V Sports photography factors
36
excellent zoom range (24-384mm 16.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
includes tracking focus
slow fps (2.0 fps)
low resolution (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
low battery power (260 per charge)
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
49
excellent zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (18MP)
has tracking focus
no shutter priority mode
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS15 as a Travel photography camera
Sony HX30V as a Travel photography camera
61
lighter than average in class (208 grams)
has built in flash
decently wide (24mm)
very long zoom (384mm)
missing Time Lapse mode
low battery power (260 shots)
low resolution (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
69
lighter than competition in class (254 grams)
decent megapixels (18MP)
flash built-in
pretty wide (25mm)
great zoom (500mm)
does not have Timelapse function
does not have a selfie friendly screen
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.2)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS15 Landscape photography features
Sony HX30V Landscape photography features
37
decently wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
low resolution (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
low battery power (260 shots)
missing Time Lapse mode
50
manual focus
pretty wide (25mm)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (18MP)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.2)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
does not have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS15 as a Vlogging camera
Sony HX30V as a Vlogging camera
33
decently wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than average in class (208 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
display isn't selfie friendly
missing mic socket
34
pretty wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect autofocus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition in class (254g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.2)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
does not have microphone support
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Panasonic ZS15 vs Sony HX30V Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS15 and Sony HX30V
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Sony
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V
Other name Lumix DMC-TZ25 -
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2012-06-29 2012-02-28
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - BIONZ
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 18 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Max resolution 4000 x 3000 4896 x 3672
Max native ISO 6400 12800
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 23 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-384mm (16.0x) 25-500mm (20.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.3-5.9 f/3.2-5.8
Macro focus distance 3cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 460k dots 922k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen tech - XtraFine TruBlack TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 15 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shutter rate 2.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 6.40 m 7.10 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, 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
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data 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
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 208 grams (0.46 lbs) 254 grams (0.56 lbs)
Physical dimensions 105 x 58 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") 107 x 62 x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 260 photos 320 photos
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - NP-BG1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Card slots 1 1
Launch price $279 $420