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Panasonic ZS30 vs Sony HX100V

Portability
92
Imaging
42
Features
48
Overall
44
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX100V front
Portability
66
Imaging
39
Features
50
Overall
43

Panasonic ZS30 vs Sony HX100V 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
  • Announced January 2013
  • Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-TZ40
  • Previous Model is Panasonic ZS25
  • Updated by Panasonic ZS35
Sony HX100V
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 27-810mm (F2.8-5.6) lens
  • 577g - 122 x 87 x 93mm
  • Released October 2011
  • Refreshed by Sony HX200V
Photography Glossary

Panasonic ZS30 vs Sony HX100V Overview

Below, we are matching up the Panasonic ZS30 versus Sony HX100V, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by brands Panasonic and Sony. The sensor resolution of the ZS30 (18MP) and the HX100V (16MP) is very similar and they feature the exact same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The ZS30 was brought out 15 months later than the HX100V making the cameras a generation apart from each other. Both the cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic ZS30 being a Compact camera and the Sony HX100V being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before delving in to a full comparison, below is a brief synopsis of how the ZS30 matches up vs the HX100V when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS30 over the Sony HX100V

 ZS30 HX100V 
ReleasedJanuary 2013October 2011Fresher by 15 months
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Sony HX100V over the Panasonic ZS30

 HX100V ZS30 
Manually focus Dial precise focusing
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution921k920kClearer display (+1k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic ZS30 and Sony HX100V

 ZS30 HX100V 
Display dimension3"3"Identical display measurements
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen

Panasonic ZS30 vs Sony HX100V Physical Comparison

For anyone who is planning to carry your camera regularly, you'll have to factor its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic ZS30 offers physical dimensions of 105mm x 59mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 198 grams (0.44 lbs) and the Sony HX100V has dimensions of 122mm x 87mm x 93mm (4.8" x 3.4" x 3.7") along with a weight of 577 grams (1.27 lbs).

See the Panasonic ZS30 versus Sony HX100V in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you are employing at that moment. The following is the front view proportions comparison of the ZS30 versus the HX100V.

Panasonic ZS30 vs Sony HX100V size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the ZS30 and HX100V is 92 and 66 respectively.

Panasonic ZS30 vs Sony HX100V top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS30 vs Sony HX100V Sensor Comparison

Usually, it can be tough to imagine the gap between sensor sizing simply by reading a spec sheet. The visual below will provide you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the ZS30 and HX100V.

As you can see, each of the cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements but different resolution. You should expect to see the Panasonic ZS30 to offer greater detail having its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also let you crop images somewhat more aggressively. The more recent ZS30 should have an edge when it comes to sensor innovation.

Panasonic ZS30 vs Sony HX100V sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS30 vs Sony HX100V Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS30 vs Sony HX100V Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS30 Portrait photography details
Sony HX100V Portrait photography details
33
decent MP (18 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
can't use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
39
has manual focus
megapixel count good (16MP)
cannot use external flash
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS30 Street photography highlights
Sony HX100V Street photography highlights
66
image stabilization (Optical)
includes touch focus
lighter than competition in class (198 grams)
no moving screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
50
screen tilts up and down
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
heavier than average (577g)
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS30 Sports photography highlights
Sony HX100V Sports photography highlights
46
excellent zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (18MP)
includes tracking focus
low maximum shutter speed (1/1,200 seconds)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
low battery life (260 CIPA)
lack of phase detect AF
49
amazing zoom range (27-810mm 30.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS30 as a Travel photography camera
Sony HX100V as a Travel photography camera
69
lighter than competition in class (198g)
includes touch focus
decent MP (18 megapixels)
built-in flash
rather wide (24mm)
great zoom (480mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
low battery life (260 CIPA)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
54
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
decently wide (27mm)
long zoom (810mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
heavier than average (577 grams)
display isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS30 Landscape photography factors
Sony HX100V Landscape photography factors
44
rather wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (18MP)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
low battery life (260 per charge)
doesn't have Timelapse function
47
has manual focus
decently wide (27mm)
good sized screen (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS30 Vlogging advice
Sony HX100V Vlogging advice
35
rather wide (24mm)
touchscreen capability
image stabilization (Optical)
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition in class (198 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
doesn't have microphone port
25
decently wide (27mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
display isn't selfie friendly
doesn't have mic socket
heavier than average (577 grams)
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Panasonic ZS30 vs Sony HX100V Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS30 and Sony HX100V
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX100V
General Information
Make Panasonic Sony
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX100V
Also called as Lumix DMC-TZ40 -
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2013-01-07 2011-10-21
Physical type Compact SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Processor - BIONZ
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 18 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4896 x 3672 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 6400 3200
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 23 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-480mm (20.0x) 27-810mm (30.0x)
Max aperture f/3.3-6.4 f/2.8-5.6
Macro focus range 3cm -
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display sizing 3" 3"
Display resolution 920k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display technology - XtraFine LCD display with TruBlack technology
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/1200 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 10.0 frames per sec 10.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 6.40 m 12.70 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
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) 1920 x 1080 (60fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 1280 x 720 (30fps), 640 x 480 (30fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, AVCHD MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 198g (0.44 lbs) 577g (1.27 lbs)
Dimensions 105 x 59 x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") 122 x 87 x 93mm (4.8" x 3.4" x 3.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 260 photos -
Battery type Battery Pack -
Battery model - NP-FH50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Card slots One One
Retail cost $250 $429