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Panasonic ZS30 vs Sony G3

Portability
92
Imaging
42
Features
48
Overall
44
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3 front
Portability
94
Imaging
33
Features
30
Overall
31

Panasonic ZS30 vs Sony G3 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
  • Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-TZ40
  • Superseded the Panasonic ZS25
  • Refreshed by Panasonic ZS35
Sony G3
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 35-140mm (F3.5-10.0) lens
  • 185g - 97 x 59 x 22mm
  • Launched January 2009
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Panasonic ZS30 vs Sony G3 Overview

Let's examine more closely at the Panasonic ZS30 and Sony G3, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Panasonic and Sony. There exists a sizeable gap between the image resolutions of the ZS30 (18MP) and G3 (10MP) but they possess the exact same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The ZS30 was announced 4 years later than the G3 and that is quite a large gap as far as technology is concerned. Both of these cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before diving straight into a comprehensive comparison, below is a simple synopsis of how the ZS30 grades against the G3 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS30 over the Sony G3

 ZS30 G3 
LaunchedJanuary 2013January 2009Fresher by 49 months

Reasons to pick Sony G3 over the Panasonic ZS30

 G3 ZS30 
Focus manually More accurate focus
Screen dimension3.5"3"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution921k920kCrisper screen (+1k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic ZS30 and Sony G3

 ZS30 G3 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Panasonic ZS30 vs Sony G3 Physical Comparison

For those who are aiming to carry your camera, you'll need to factor its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic ZS30 has got external 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) whilst the Sony G3 has dimensions of 97mm x 59mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 0.9") along with a weight of 185 grams (0.41 lbs).

Take a look at the Panasonic ZS30 and Sony G3 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you are using at that moment. Following is the front view dimensions comparison of the ZS30 versus the G3.

Panasonic ZS30 vs Sony G3 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the ZS30 and G3 is 92 and 94 respectively.

Panasonic ZS30 vs Sony G3 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS30 vs Sony G3 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is very difficult to see the contrast between sensor sizing only by reading through specifications. The graphic underneath might offer you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the ZS30 and G3.

To sum up, both cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements albeit not the same MP. You should expect the Panasonic ZS30 to give you more detail with its extra 8MP. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop shots somewhat more aggressively. The more recent ZS30 is going to have an advantage in sensor tech.

Panasonic ZS30 vs Sony G3 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS30 vs Sony G3 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS30 vs Sony G3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic ZS30
Portrait photography with Sony G3
33
decent sensor resolution (18 megapixels)
no manual focus
can't use external flash
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
26
manual focus
manual exposure not available
no external flash support
low resolution sensor (10MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS30 Street photography information
Sony G3 Street photography information
66
image stabilization (Optical)
supports touch to focus
lighter than competition (198g)
screen is fixed
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS30 as a Sports photography camera
Sony G3 as a Sports photography camera
46
incredible zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (18MP)
includes tracking focus
low maximum shutter speed (1/1,200s)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
terrible battery life (260 shots)
has no phase detect AF
23
has image stabilization (Optical)
low max shutter speed (1/1,000 seconds)
max frames per second very slow (2.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
low resolution sensor (10 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS30 Travel photography advice
Sony G3 Travel photography advice
69
lighter than competition (198 grams)
supports touch to focus
decent sensor resolution (18MP)
has built in flash
really wide (24mm)
great zoom (480mm)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
terrible battery life (260 shots)
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
50
flash built-in
lack of Timelapse mode
low resolution sensor (10MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
wide angle not fantastic (35mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS30 Landscape photography highlights
Sony G3 Landscape photography highlights
44
really wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (18 megapixels)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
terrible battery life (260 per charge)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
36
manual focus
lovely big screen (3.5 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (35mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
manual exposure not available
low resolution sensor (10MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
lack of Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS30 as a Vlogging camera
Sony G3 as a Vlogging camera
35
really wide (24mm)
touch screen
image stabilization (Optical)
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition (198 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
doesn't have microphone port
27
built-in touchscreen
has image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not fantastic (35mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
screen is not selfie friendly
video res low (640 x 480 resolution)
lack of external microphone jack
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Panasonic ZS30 vs Sony G3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS30 and Sony G3
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3
General Information
Make Panasonic Sony
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3
Also Known as Lumix DMC-TZ40 -
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2013-01-07 2009-01-08
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CCD
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 18 megapixels 10 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4896 x 3672 3648 x 2736
Max native ISO 6400 3200
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
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 24-480mm (20.0x) 35-140mm (4.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.3-6.4 f/3.5-10.0
Macro focusing distance 3cm -
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inch 3.5 inch
Screen resolution 920 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15 seconds 1 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/1200 seconds 1/1000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 10.0 frames per sec 2.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 6.40 m 4.30 m (Auto ISO)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (220 fps) 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 640x480
Video format MPEG-4, AVCHD Motion JPEG
Microphone input
Headphone input
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
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 198g (0.44 lbs) 185g (0.41 lbs)
Dimensions 105 x 59 x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") 97 x 59 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.3" 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 photographs -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots One One
Launch cost $250 $200