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Panasonic ZS30 vs Sony HX7V

Portability
92
Imaging
42
Features
48
Overall
44
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX7V front
Portability
92
Imaging
39
Features
37
Overall
38

Panasonic ZS30 vs Sony HX7V 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
  • Revealed January 2013
  • Also Known as Lumix DMC-TZ40
  • Earlier Model is Panasonic ZS25
  • New Model is Panasonic ZS35
Sony HX7V
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 208g - 102 x 58 x 29mm
  • Launched July 2011
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Panasonic ZS30 vs Sony HX7V Overview

Here, we will be matching up the Panasonic ZS30 versus Sony HX7V, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Panasonic and Sony. The sensor resolution of the ZS30 (18MP) and the HX7V (16MP) is relatively similar and both cameras posses the identical sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The ZS30 was revealed 18 months after the HX7V which makes them a generation away from each other. The two cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before getting straight to a complete comparison, here is a concise overview of how the ZS30 grades versus the HX7V in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS30 over the Sony HX7V

 ZS30 HX7V 
LaunchedJanuary 2013July 2011Newer by 18 months
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Sony HX7V over the Panasonic ZS30

 HX7V ZS30 
Screen resolution921k920kCrisper screen (+1k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic ZS30 and Sony HX7V

 ZS30 HX7V 
Manually focus Lack of manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen measurement
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen

Panasonic ZS30 vs Sony HX7V Physical Comparison

In case you're intending to travel with your camera often, you should factor in its weight and proportions. The Panasonic ZS30 offers outer dimensions of 105mm x 59mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") and a weight of 198 grams (0.44 lbs) while the Sony HX7V has measurements of 102mm x 58mm x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1") and a weight of 208 grams (0.46 lbs).

Check the Panasonic ZS30 versus Sony HX7V in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you select during that time. Here is a front view scale comparison of the ZS30 versus the HX7V.

Panasonic ZS30 vs Sony HX7V size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the ZS30 and HX7V is 92 and 92 respectively.

Panasonic ZS30 vs Sony HX7V top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS30 vs Sony HX7V Sensor Comparison

Often, its tough to visualize the difference between sensor dimensions purely by reviewing specs. The picture below will help give you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the ZS30 and HX7V.

All in all, both of the cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit different MP. You should count on the Panasonic ZS30 to deliver extra detail because of its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop photographs way more aggressively. The more recent ZS30 provides an advantage in sensor innovation.

Panasonic ZS30 vs Sony HX7V sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS30 vs Sony HX7V Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS30 vs Sony HX7V Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS30 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony HX7V as a Portrait photography camera
33
MP count good (18MP)
manual focus not available
no external flash support
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
30
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
manual focus not available
manual exposure not available
external flash not possible
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS30 Street photography features
Sony HX7V Street photography features
66
image stabilization (Optical)
comes with focus via touch
lighter than competition in class (198g)
screen is fixed
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS30 Sports photography info
Sony HX7V Sports photography info
46
incredible zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (18 megapixels)
comes with tracking autofocus
low max shutter speed (1/1,200s)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
terrible battery power (260 CIPA)
lack of phase detect AF
39
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16MP)
no shutter priority
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS30 Travel photography features
Sony HX7V Travel photography features
69
lighter than competition in class (198g)
comes with focus via touch
MP count good (18 megapixels)
flash built-in
fairly wide (24mm)
very long reach (480mm)
lack of Time Lapse mode
terrible battery power (260 CIPA)
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
67
megapixel count good (16MP)
built-in flash
decently wide (25mm)
very long reach (250mm)
no Timelapse function
does not contain selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS30 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony HX7V as a Landscape photography camera
44
fairly wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (18 megapixels)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
terrible battery power (260 CIPA)
lack of Time Lapse mode
42
decently wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16MP)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
manual exposure not available
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
no Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS30 as a Vlogging camera
Sony HX7V as a Vlogging camera
35
fairly wide (24mm)
screen is touchscreen
image stabilization (Optical)
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition in class (198g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
display is not selfie friendly
lack of external mic port
32
decently wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
does not contain selfie friendly display
no external microphone jack
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Panasonic ZS30 vs Sony HX7V Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS30 and Sony HX7V
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX7V
General Information
Make Panasonic Sony
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX7V
Also Known as Lumix DMC-TZ40 -
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2013-01-07 2011-07-19
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip - BIONZ
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
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 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Max resolution 4896 x 3672 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 6400 3200
Minimum native ISO 100 125
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
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 mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-480mm (20.0x) 25-250mm (10.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.3-6.4 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focusing distance 3cm -
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 920k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display tech - XtraFine LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 15s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/1200s 1/1600s
Continuous shutter speed 10.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 6.40 m 4.80 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure 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) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, AVCHD MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone input
Headphone input
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 seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 198 gr (0.44 lbs) 208 gr (0.46 lbs)
Physical dimensions 105 x 59 x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") 102 x 58 x 29mm (4.0" 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 photos -
Battery format Battery Pack -
Battery ID - NP-BG1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots One One
Cost at release $250 $499