Panasonic ZS30 vs Ricoh GR Digital IV

Its time to take a closer look at the Panasonic ZS30 vs Ricoh GR Digital IV, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by competitors Panasonic and Ricoh. There exists a sizeable gap among the image resolutions of the ZS30 (18MP) and GR Digital IV (10MP) and the ZS30 (1/2.3") and GR Digital IV (1/1.7") provide totally different sensor dimensions.

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The ZS30 was revealed 16 months after the GR Digital IV which makes them a generation away from one another. Both cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before going into a step-by-step comparison, here is a concise view of how the ZS30 matches up versus the GR Digital IV with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

This is a preview of the gallery images for Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30 and Ricoh GR Digital IV. The full galleries are available at Panasonic ZS30 Gallery and Ricoh GR Digital IV Gallery.

If you're looking to travel with your camera often, you're going to have to take into account its weight and size. The Panasonic ZS30 has got exterior dimensions of 105mm x 59mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") with a weight of 198 grams (0.44 lbs) while the Ricoh GR Digital IV has specifications of 109mm x 59mm x 33mm (4.3" x 2.3" x 1.3") having a weight of 190 grams (0.42 lbs).

Take a look at the Panasonic ZS30 vs Ricoh GR Digital IV in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are using at that moment. Here is a front view sizing comparison of the ZS30 vs the GR Digital IV.

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the ZS30 and GR Digital IV is 92 and 92 respectively.

Quite often, it is very difficult to envision the contrast in sensor dimensions only by looking through a spec sheet. The pic here may provide you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the ZS30 and GR Digital IV.

Clearly, both of the cameras provide different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The ZS30 having a smaller sensor will make getting bokeh trickier and the Panasonic ZS30 will result in greater detail because of its extra 8MP. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop pictures more aggressively. The younger ZS30 will have a benefit in sensor technology.