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Panasonic ZS30 vs Sony HX80

Portability
92
Imaging
42
Features
48
Overall
44
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX80 front
Portability
91
Imaging
44
Features
60
Overall
50

Panasonic ZS30 vs Sony HX80 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
  • New Model is Panasonic ZS35
Sony HX80
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200 (Expand to 12800)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.5-6.4) lens
  • 245g - 102 x 58 x 36mm
  • Launched March 2016
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Panasonic ZS30 vs Sony HX80 Overview

Below, we will be analyzing the Panasonic ZS30 vs Sony HX80, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by companies Panasonic and Sony. The sensor resolution of the ZS30 (18MP) and the HX80 (18MP) is relatively well matched and they possess the exact same sensor size (1/2.3").

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The ZS30 was unveiled 4 years prior to the HX80 and that is quite a serious difference as far as tech is concerned. Both of the cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before diving in to a in-depth comparison, below is a brief summary of how the ZS30 scores against the HX80 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS30 over the Sony HX80

 ZS30 HX80 
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Sony HX80 over the Panasonic ZS30

 HX80 ZS30 
LaunchedMarch 2016January 2013More recent by 38 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution921k920kSharper screen (+1k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Panasonic ZS30 and Sony HX80

 ZS30 HX80 
Focus manually No manual focusing
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen size

Panasonic ZS30 vs Sony HX80 Physical Comparison

In case you're intending to lug around your camera frequently, you need to factor its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic ZS30 comes with external measurements of 105mm x 59mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") having a weight of 198 grams (0.44 lbs) and the Sony HX80 has dimensions of 102mm x 58mm x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.4") with a weight of 245 grams (0.54 lbs).

Check the Panasonic ZS30 vs Sony HX80 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you choose during that time. Here is the front view measurements comparison of the ZS30 compared to the HX80.

Panasonic ZS30 vs Sony HX80 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the ZS30 and HX80 is 92 and 91 respectively.

Panasonic ZS30 vs Sony HX80 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS30 vs Sony HX80 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, its difficult to see the contrast between sensor measurements simply by reading through specifications. The visual here might offer you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the ZS30 and HX80.

To sum up, both of those cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements and the same exact resolution and you can expect similar quality of pictures although you should take the age of the products into consideration. The older ZS30 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor tech.

Panasonic ZS30 vs Sony HX80 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS30 vs Sony HX80 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS30 vs Sony HX80 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS30 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony HX80 as a Portrait photography camera
33
MP count decent (18 megapixels)
no manual focus
external flash not possible
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
39
megapixel count good (18 megapixels)
includes face detection focusing
lack of manual focus
cannot use external flash
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS30 Street photography information
Sony HX80 Street photography information
66
has image stabilization (Optical)
includes touch to focus
lighter than competitors in class (198g)
fixed screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
70
screen tilts
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (245 grams)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS30 Sports photography info
Sony HX80 Sports photography info
46
long zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (18 megapixels)
has tracking focus
low max shutter speed (1/1,200s)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
low battery life (260 CIPA)
lack of phase detect AF
57
excellent zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (18MP)
includes tracking autofocus
great battery power (390 per charge)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS30 Travel photography highlights
Sony HX80 Travel photography highlights
69
lighter than competitors in class (198g)
includes touch to focus
MP count decent (18 megapixels)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (24mm)
long reach (480mm)
does not have Time Lapse recording
low battery life (260 shots)
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
76
great battery power (390 CIPA)
lighter than competition (245 grams)
megapixel count good (18MP)
flash built-in
selfie friendly display
relatively wide (24mm)
great zoom (720mm)
lack of Time Lapse mode
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS30 Landscape photography factors
Sony HX80 Landscape photography factors
44
reasonably wide (24mm)
screen is a decent size (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (18MP)
no manual focus
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
low battery life (260 per charge)
does not have Time Lapse recording
49
relatively wide (24mm)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (18MP)
great battery power (390 per charge)
lack of manual focus
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
lack of Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS30 Vlogging advice
Sony HX80 Vlogging advice
35
reasonably wide (24mm)
touch screen
has image stabilization (Optical)
good video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competitors in class (198g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have mic port
75
relatively wide (24mm)
selfie friendly display
has image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detection focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition (245 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
lack of external mic support
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Panasonic ZS30 vs Sony HX80 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS30 and Sony HX80
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX80
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Sony
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX80
Otherwise known as Lumix DMC-TZ40 -
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2013-01-07 2016-03-07
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by - Bionz X
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 surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 18 megapixel 18 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4896 x 3672 4896 x 3672
Highest native ISO 6400 3200
Highest boosted ISO - 12800
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
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 -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-480mm (20.0x) 24-720mm (30.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.3-6.4 f/3.5-6.4
Macro focus distance 3cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display size 3" 3"
Resolution of display 920 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/1200 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 10.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 6.40 m 5.40 m (with Auto ISO)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, on, slow sync, off, rear sync
Hot shoe
AEB
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) 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 30p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (30p)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, AVCHD MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 198 gr (0.44 pounds) 245 gr (0.54 pounds)
Dimensions 105 x 59 x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") 102 x 58 x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.4")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 pictures 390 pictures
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - NP-BX1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal Memory Stick PRO Duo/Pro-HG Duo; SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Single Single
Price at launch $250 $368