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Panasonic ZS30 vs Sony HX90V

Portability
92
Imaging
42
Features
48
Overall
44
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX90V front
Portability
91
Imaging
43
Features
63
Overall
51

Panasonic ZS30 vs Sony HX90V Key Specs

Panasonic ZS30
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-480mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 198g - 105 x 59 x 28mm
  • Released January 2013
  • Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-TZ40
  • Succeeded the Panasonic ZS25
  • Later Model is Panasonic ZS35
Sony HX90V
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 80 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.5-6.4) lens
  • 245g - 102 x 58 x 36mm
  • Announced April 2015
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Panasonic ZS30 vs Sony HX90V Overview

Following is a comprehensive review of the Panasonic ZS30 versus Sony HX90V, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by competitors Panasonic and Sony. The sensor resolution of the ZS30 (18MP) and the HX90V (18MP) is relatively close and they come with the exact same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The ZS30 was launched 3 years before the HX90V which is a fairly serious difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of these cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before diving through a more detailed comparison, below is a brief summary of how the ZS30 matches up versus the HX90V in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS30 over the Sony HX90V

 ZS30 HX90V 
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Sony HX90V over the Panasonic ZS30

 HX90V ZS30 
AnnouncedApril 2015January 2013More modern by 27 months
Manual focus More accurate focusing
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution921k920kClearer screen (+1k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Panasonic ZS30 and Sony HX90V

 ZS30 HX90V 
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen measurement

Panasonic ZS30 vs Sony HX90V Physical Comparison

For anyone who is going to carry around your camera regularly, you need to think about its weight and size. The Panasonic ZS30 features outer measurements of 105mm x 59mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") with a weight of 198 grams (0.44 lbs) whilst the Sony HX90V has specifications of 102mm x 58mm x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.4") accompanied by a weight of 245 grams (0.54 lbs).

Check the Panasonic ZS30 versus Sony HX90V in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are using during that time. Below is the front view overall size comparison of the ZS30 and the HX90V.

Panasonic ZS30 vs Sony HX90V size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the ZS30 and HX90V is 92 and 91 respectively.

Panasonic ZS30 vs Sony HX90V top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS30 vs Sony HX90V Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it's tough to visualize the contrast in sensor sizes purely by viewing specifications. The pic below may give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the ZS30 and HX90V.

Plainly, both of those cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements and the same exact MP and you can expect comparable quality of pictures though you might want to factor the launch date of the cameras into account. The more aged ZS30 will be behind with regard to sensor technology.

Panasonic ZS30 vs Sony HX90V sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS30 vs Sony HX90V Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS30 vs Sony HX90V Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic ZS30
Portrait photography with Sony HX90V
33
sensor resolution is decent (18MP)
no manual focus
cannot use external flash
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
45
you can focus manually
decent sensor resolution (18MP)
features face detect autofocus
cannot use external flash
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS30 Street photography features
Sony HX90V Street photography features
66
built in image stabilization (Optical)
boasts touch focus
lighter than competition in class (198g)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
69
screen tilts up and down
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (245g)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS30 Sports photography information
Sony HX90V Sports photography information
46
excellent zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (18 megapixels)
comes with tracking focus
low maximum shutter speed (1/1,200s)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
terrible battery power (260 CIPA)
lacks phase detect autofocus
57
amazing zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (18MP)
features tracking focus
good battery life (360 CIPA)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic ZS30
Travel photography with Sony HX90V
69
lighter than competition in class (198g)
boasts touch focus
sensor resolution is decent (18 megapixels)
built-in flash
really wide (24mm)
great reach (480mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
terrible battery power (260 shots)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f3.3)
76
good battery life (360 per charge)
lighter than others in class (245g)
decent sensor resolution (18MP)
flash built-in
selfie friendly screen
really wide (24mm)
great reach (720mm)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS30 Landscape photography info
Sony HX90V Landscape photography info
44
really wide (24mm)
screen is a decent size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (18 megapixels)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
terrible battery power (260 per charge)
doesn't have Timelapse function
53
you can focus manually
really wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (18 megapixels)
good battery life (360 shots)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
doesn't have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS30 Vlogging info
Sony HX90V Vlogging info
35
really wide (24mm)
built-in touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition in class (198 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
doesn't have microphone port
75
really wide (24mm)
selfie friendly screen
has image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than others in class (245g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
doesn't have microphone jack
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Panasonic ZS30 vs Sony HX90V Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS30 and Sony HX90V
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX90V
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Sony
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX90V
Alternate name Lumix DMC-TZ40 -
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2013-01-07 2015-04-14
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Bionz X
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 18 megapixels 18 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4896 x 3672 4896 x 3672
Highest native ISO 6400 12800
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 23 -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-480mm (20.0x) 24-720mm (30.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.3-6.4 f/3.5-6.4
Macro focusing distance 3cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen size 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 920 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 638 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.5x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/1200 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 10.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 6.40 m 5.40 m (with Auto ISO)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, flash on, slow sync, flash off, rear sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance 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 (60p, 60i, 30p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (30p)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, AVCHD AVCHD, XAVC S
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
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 lb) 245 gr (0.54 lb)
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 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 360 images
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-BX1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo
Storage slots One One
Launch pricing $250 $440