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Panasonic ZS30 vs Sony A300

Portability
92
Imaging
42
Features
48
Overall
44
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A300 front
Portability
64
Imaging
50
Features
45
Overall
48

Panasonic ZS30 vs Sony A300 Key Specs

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
  • Revealed January 2013
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-TZ40
  • Older Model is Panasonic ZS25
  • Successor is Panasonic ZS35
Sony A300
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 632g - 131 x 99 x 75mm
  • Introduced January 2008
  • Refreshed by Sony A330
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Panasonic ZS30 vs Sony A300 Overview

The following is a in-depth assessment of the Panasonic ZS30 and Sony A300, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by competitors Panasonic and Sony. There exists a sizeable gap among the image resolutions of the ZS30 (18MP) and A300 (10MP) and the ZS30 (1/2.3") and A300 (APS-C) feature totally different sensor sizing.

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The ZS30 was brought out 5 years after the A300 which is a fairly large gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic ZS30 being a Compact camera and the Sony A300 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before diving in to a thorough comparison, below is a quick summation of how the ZS30 grades versus the A300 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS30 over the Sony A300

 ZS30 A300 
IntroducedJanuary 2013January 2008Newer by 61 months
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution920k230kClearer display (+690k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Sony A300 over the Panasonic ZS30

 A300 ZS30 
Manually focus Very exact focusing
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display

Common features in the Panasonic ZS30 and Sony A300

 ZS30 A300 
Selfie screen No selfie screen

Panasonic ZS30 vs Sony A300 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is intending to travel with your camera frequently, you will have to factor its weight and size. The Panasonic ZS30 features physical dimensions of 105mm x 59mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") along with a weight of 198 grams (0.44 lbs) and the Sony A300 has specifications of 131mm x 99mm x 75mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") accompanied by a weight of 632 grams (1.39 lbs).

Take a look at the Panasonic ZS30 and Sony A300 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you are using at that time. Below is the front view measurement comparison of the ZS30 and the A300.

Panasonic ZS30 vs Sony A300 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the ZS30 and A300 is 92 and 64 respectively.

Panasonic ZS30 vs Sony A300 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS30 vs Sony A300 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it can be hard to visualise the difference in sensor dimensions merely by looking through specifications. The image underneath may offer you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the ZS30 and A300.

To sum up, each of the cameras offer different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The ZS30 because of its smaller sensor will make getting shallower DOF harder and the Panasonic ZS30 will provide you with more detail having its extra 8MP. Greater resolution can also enable you to crop photos a little more aggressively. The newer ZS30 is going to have an advantage when it comes to sensor technology.

Panasonic ZS30 vs Sony A300 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS30 vs Sony A300 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS30 vs Sony A300 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS30 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony A300 as a Portrait photography camera
33
resolution is good (18 megapixels)
no manual focus
no external flash support
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
60
you can focus manually
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS30 Street photography info
Sony A300 Street photography info
66
built in image stabilization (Optical)
comes with touch focus
lighter than others in class (198g)
screen does not articulate
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
74
screen tilts
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS30 Sports photography features
Sony A300 Sports photography features
46
incredible zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (18 megapixels)
features tracking focus
low max shutter speed (1/1,200s)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
not so great battery pack (260 per charge)
does not have phase detect AF
55
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect AF
max frames per second low (3.0 frames/s)
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS30 Travel photography information
Sony A300 Travel photography information
69
lighter than others in class (198g)
comes with touch focus
resolution is good (18 megapixels)
has built in flash
relatively wide (24mm)
great reach (480mm)
missing Timelapse recording
not so great battery pack (260 CIPA)
does not feature selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
45
has built in flash
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
sensor resolution low (10MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS30 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony A300 as a Landscape photography camera
44
relatively wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (18 megapixels)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
not so great battery pack (260 CIPA)
missing Timelapse recording
57
you can focus manually
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS30 as a Vlogging camera
Sony A300 as a Vlogging camera
35
relatively wide (24mm)
touch screen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than others in class (198g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
does not feature selfie friendly display
missing microphone port
9
no video
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Panasonic ZS30 vs Sony A300 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS30 and Sony A300
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30Sony Alpha DSLR-A300
General Information
Make Panasonic Sony
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30 Sony Alpha DSLR-A300
Also referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ40 -
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level DSLR
Revealed 2013-01-07 2008-01-30
Body design Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.6 x 15.8mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 372.9mm²
Sensor resolution 18MP 10MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 -
Highest Possible resolution 4896 x 3672 3872 x 2592
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 23 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens zoom range 24-480mm (20.0x) -
Max aperture f/3.3-6.4 -
Macro focusing distance 3cm -
Total lenses - 143
Crop factor 5.8 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen size 3" 2.7"
Screen resolution 920 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 95%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.49x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/1200s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter speed 10.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 6.40 m 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, Red-Eye, Slow, Red-Eye Slow, Rear curtain, wireless
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB 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), 320 x 240 (220 fps) -
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video format MPEG-4, AVCHD -
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 198 grams (0.44 pounds) 632 grams (1.39 pounds)
Dimensions 105 x 59 x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") 131 x 99 x 75mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 64
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 22.5
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 11.4
DXO Low light rating not tested 538
Other
Battery life 260 pictures -
Battery form Battery Pack -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal Compact Flash
Storage slots 1 1
Pricing at release $250 $0