Clicky

Panasonic ZS30 vs Sony H55

Portability
92
Imaging
42
Features
48
Overall
44
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H55 front
Portability
92
Imaging
37
Features
28
Overall
33

Panasonic ZS30 vs Sony H55 Key Specs

Panasonic ZS30
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-480mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 198g - 105 x 59 x 28mm
  • Launched January 2013
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-TZ40
  • Older Model is Panasonic ZS25
  • New Model is Panasonic ZS35
Sony H55
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 200g - 103 x 58 x 29mm
  • Introduced June 2010
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Panasonic ZS30 vs Sony H55 Overview

Here, we will be reviewing the Panasonic ZS30 and Sony H55, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Panasonic and Sony. There exists a big gap among the sensor resolutions of the ZS30 (18MP) and H55 (14MP) but both cameras offer the identical sensor sizes (1/2.3").

Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

The ZS30 was launched 2 years later than the H55 and that is a fairly big gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before delving straight to a full comparison, here is a concise view of how the ZS30 matches up versus the H55 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS30 over the Sony H55

 ZS30 H55 
IntroducedJanuary 2013June 2010Fresher by 32 months
Screen resolution920k230kCrisper screen (+690k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Sony H55 over the Panasonic ZS30

 H55 ZS30 

Common features in the Panasonic ZS30 and Sony H55

 ZS30 H55 
Manually focus No manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen dimensions
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen

Panasonic ZS30 vs Sony H55 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is aiming to carry your camera frequently, you are going to need to consider its weight and volume. The Panasonic ZS30 has external dimensions of 105mm x 59mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") having a weight of 198 grams (0.44 lbs) while the Sony H55 has sizing of 103mm x 58mm x 29mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") having a weight of 200 grams (0.44 lbs).

Examine the Panasonic ZS30 and Sony H55 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are employing at that time. Below is a front view dimensions comparison of the ZS30 versus the H55.

Panasonic ZS30 vs Sony H55 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the ZS30 and H55 is 92 and 92 respectively.

Panasonic ZS30 vs Sony H55 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS30 vs Sony H55 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it's difficult to envision the difference in sensor sizing merely by going through specs. The graphic underneath will help give you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the ZS30 and H55.

All in all, each of these cameras come with the identical sensor size albeit not the same resolution. You should expect the Panasonic ZS30 to produce extra detail utilizing its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop pictures a good deal more aggressively. The newer ZS30 will have an advantage with regard to sensor tech.

Panasonic ZS30 vs Sony H55 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS30 vs Sony H55 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS30 vs Sony H55 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic ZS30
Portrait photography with Sony H55
33
resolution is good (18 megapixels)
manual focus not available
can't use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
28
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
no manual exposure
no external flash support
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic ZS30
Street photography with Sony H55
66
has image stabilization (Optical)
provides touch focus
lighter than competitors (198g)
screen is fixed
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS30 Sports photography features
Sony H55 Sports photography features
46
incredible zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (18MP)
provides tracking autofocus
maximum shutter speed is a little low (1/1,200 seconds)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
not so great battery pack (260 CIPA)
lack of phase detect autofocus
38
has image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
no shutter priority
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS30 Travel photography information
Sony H55 Travel photography information
69
lighter than competitors (198g)
provides touch focus
resolution is good (18MP)
built-in flash
relatively wide (24mm)
great reach (480mm)
lack of Timelapse mode
not so great battery pack (260 shots)
does not contain selfie friendly display
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
67
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
decently wide (25mm)
great reach (250mm)
missing Timelapse recording
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS30 Landscape photography advice
Sony H55 Landscape photography advice
44
relatively wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (18MP)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
not so great battery pack (260 per charge)
lack of Timelapse mode
42
decently wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (14MP)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
no manual exposure
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
missing Timelapse recording
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic ZS30
Vlogging with Sony H55
35
relatively wide (24mm)
touchscreen
has image stabilization (Optical)
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competitors (198 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
does not contain selfie friendly display
lack of external microphone port
28
decently wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
display is not selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing microphone jack
Photography Glossary

Panasonic ZS30 vs Sony H55 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS30 and Sony H55
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H55
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Sony
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H55
Also Known as Lumix DMC-TZ40 -
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2013-01-07 2010-06-16
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor - Bionz
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 surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 18MP 14MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Max resolution 4896 x 3672 4320 x 3240
Max native ISO 6400 3200
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 23 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-480mm (20.0x) 25-250mm (10.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.3-6.4 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focusing distance 3cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3" 3"
Display resolution 920 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/1200 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shutter speed 10.0 frames per sec 10.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 6.40 m 3.80 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Slow Syncro, Off
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
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) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, AVCHD MPEG-4
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
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 198 grams (0.44 pounds) 200 grams (0.44 pounds)
Physical dimensions 105 x 59 x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") 103 x 58 x 29mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 images -
Battery format Battery Pack -
Battery ID - NP-BG1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, portrait1/ portrait2)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo/ PRO HG-Duo, SD/SDHC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Price at release $250 $235