Panasonic ZS30 vs Sony HX1
92 Imaging
42 Features
48 Overall
44


67 Imaging
32 Features
36 Overall
33
Panasonic ZS30 vs Sony HX1 Key Specs
(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
- Revealed January 2013
- Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-TZ40
- Succeeded the Panasonic ZS25
- Refreshed by Panasonic ZS35
(Full Review)
- 9MP - 1/2.4" Sensor
- 3" Tilting Display
- ISO 125 - 3200
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1440 x 1080 video
- 28-560mm (F2.8-5.2) lens
- 544g - 115 x 83 x 92mm
- Revealed April 2009

Panasonic ZS30 vs Sony HX1 Overview
The following is a detailed analysis of the Panasonic ZS30 vs Sony HX1, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by manufacturers Panasonic and Sony. There is a considerable difference among the sensor resolutions of the ZS30 (18MP) and HX1 (9MP) and the ZS30 (1/2.3") and HX1 (1/2.4") posses different sensor size.

The ZS30 was manufactured 3 years after the HX1 which is a fairly large difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic ZS30 being a Compact camera and the Sony HX1 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.
Before going straight to a in-depth comparison, here is a short summation of how the ZS30 matches up versus the HX1 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Panasonic ZS30 vs Sony HX1 Gallery
Here is a sample of the gallery pictures for Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30 & Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX1. The entire galleries are viewable at Panasonic ZS30 Gallery & Sony HX1 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS30 over the Sony HX1
ZS30 | HX1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | January 2013 | ![]() | April 2009 | Newer by 46 months |
Display resolution | 920k | ![]() | 230k | Crisper display (+690k dot) |
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Easily navigate |
Reasons to pick Sony HX1 over the Panasonic ZS30
HX1 | ZS30 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Very precise focusing | ||
Display type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting display |
Common features in the Panasonic ZS30 and Sony HX1
ZS30 | HX1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display size | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Same display size |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lack of selfie screen |
Panasonic ZS30 vs Sony HX1 Physical Comparison
For those who are looking to travel with your camera regularly, you need to take into account its weight and proportions. The Panasonic ZS30 has got exterior measurements of 105mm x 59mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") with a weight of 198 grams (0.44 lbs) and the Sony HX1 has measurements of 115mm x 83mm x 92mm (4.5" x 3.3" x 3.6") with a weight of 544 grams (1.20 lbs).
Take a look at the Panasonic ZS30 vs Sony HX1 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are employing at that time. Below is a front view scale comparison of the ZS30 versus the HX1.

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the ZS30 and HX1 is 92 and 67 respectively.

Panasonic ZS30 vs Sony HX1 Sensor Comparison
Usually, it is very hard to imagine the difference in sensor dimensions just by viewing specs. The picture underneath might give you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the ZS30 and HX1.
As you can plainly see, each of these cameras feature different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The ZS30 due to its larger sensor is going to make getting bokeh easier and the Panasonic ZS30 will result in greater detail due to its extra 9MP. Greater resolution will also let you crop images way more aggressively. The more modern ZS30 provides an advantage when it comes to sensor tech.

Panasonic ZS30 vs Sony HX1 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS30 vs Sony HX1 Specifications
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX1 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Make | Panasonic | Sony |
Model type | Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX1 |
Alternative name | Lumix DMC-TZ40 | - |
Category | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Revealed | 2013-01-07 | 2009-04-22 |
Physical type | Compact | SLR-like (bridge) |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | - | Bionz |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.4" |
Sensor dimensions | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 6.104 x 4.578mm |
Sensor area | 28.1mm² | 27.9mm² |
Sensor resolution | 18MP | 9MP |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Maximum resolution | 4896 x 3672 | 3456 x 2592 |
Maximum native ISO | 6400 | 3200 |
Lowest native ISO | 100 | 125 |
RAW pictures | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch to focus | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detect focus | ||
Contract detect focus | ||
Phase detect focus | ||
Total focus points | 23 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens support | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 24-480mm (20.0x) | 28-560mm (20.0x) |
Max aperture | f/3.3-6.4 | f/2.8-5.2 |
Macro focusing range | 3cm | 1cm |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Display sizing | 3" | 3" |
Resolution of display | 920 thousand dots | 230 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch screen | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | Electronic |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 15 secs | 30 secs |
Highest shutter speed | 1/1200 secs | 1/4000 secs |
Continuous shooting rate | 10.0 frames per sec | 10.0 frames per sec |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Set white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash distance | 6.40 m | 9.20 m |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Front Curtain, Rear Curtain |
External flash | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
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), 320 x 240 (220 fps) | 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1440x1080 |
Video format | MPEG-4, AVCHD | H.264 |
Mic port | ||
Headphone port | ||
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 sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 198 gr (0.44 lbs) | 544 gr (1.20 lbs) |
Physical dimensions | 105 x 59 x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") | 115 x 83 x 92mm (4.5" x 3.3" x 3.6") |
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 pictures | - |
Type of battery | Battery Pack | - |
Battery ID | - | NP-FH50 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal | Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal |
Card slots | One | One |
Retail pricing | $250 | $47,999 |