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Panasonic ZS30 vs Sony HX9V

Portability
92
Imaging
42
Features
48
Overall
44
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX9V front
Portability
91
Imaging
39
Features
46
Overall
41

Panasonic ZS30 vs Sony HX9V 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
  • Launched January 2013
  • Also Known as Lumix DMC-TZ40
  • Earlier Model is Panasonic ZS25
  • Refreshed by Panasonic ZS35
Sony HX9V
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-384mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 245g - 105 x 59 x 34mm
  • Revealed July 2011
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Panasonic ZS30 vs Sony HX9V Overview

Here is a extended comparison of the Panasonic ZS30 vs Sony HX9V, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by rivals Panasonic and Sony. The sensor resolution of the ZS30 (18MP) and the HX9V (16MP) is very well matched and both cameras offer the same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The ZS30 was brought out 18 months later than the HX9V making them a generation apart from one another. Each of the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before delving right into a complete comparison, here is a quick summation of how the ZS30 grades vs the HX9V with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS30 over the Sony HX9V

 ZS30 HX9V 
RevealedJanuary 2013July 2011Fresher by 18 months
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Sony HX9V over the Panasonic ZS30

 HX9V ZS30 
Focus manually Dial exact focusing
Display resolution921k920kCrisper display (+1k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic ZS30 and Sony HX9V

 ZS30 HX9V 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display sizing
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen

Panasonic ZS30 vs Sony HX9V Physical Comparison

For anyone who is planning to carry your camera, you need to factor in its weight and volume. The Panasonic ZS30 provides outside dimensions of 105mm x 59mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") and a weight of 198 grams (0.44 lbs) and the Sony HX9V has sizing of 105mm x 59mm x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") and a weight of 245 grams (0.54 lbs).

See the Panasonic ZS30 vs Sony HX9V in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are utilising at that time. Underneath is a front view sizing comparison of the ZS30 vs the HX9V.

Panasonic ZS30 vs Sony HX9V size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the ZS30 and HX9V is 92 and 91 respectively.

Panasonic ZS30 vs Sony HX9V top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS30 vs Sony HX9V Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, its tough to envision the difference between sensor sizing just by looking at specs. The graphic underneath may give you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the ZS30 and HX9V.

All in all, both of the cameras have the same sensor dimensions but not the same MP. You can expect to see the Panasonic ZS30 to give you more detail having its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will help you crop images a bit more aggressively. The newer ZS30 will have an advantage when it comes to sensor tech.

Panasonic ZS30 vs Sony HX9V sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS30 vs Sony HX9V Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS30 vs Sony HX9V Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS30 Portrait photography details
Sony HX9V Portrait photography details
33
megapixel count good (18 megapixels)
no manual focus
cannot use external flash
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
39
you can focus manually
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
can't use external flash
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS30 Street photography information
Sony HX9V Street photography information
66
has image stabilization (Optical)
offers touch to focus
lighter than competitors in class (198 grams)
no articulating screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
61
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (245 grams)
no moving screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS30 Sports photography highlights
Sony HX9V Sports photography highlights
46
long zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (18 megapixels)
supports tracking autofocus
low max shutter speed (1/1,200s)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
terrible battery (260 per charge)
does not have phase detect auto focus
44
incredible zoom range (24-384mm 16.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
lack of shutter priority mode
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS30 as a Travel photography camera
Sony HX9V as a Travel photography camera
69
lighter than competitors in class (198 grams)
offers touch to focus
megapixel count good (18 megapixels)
built-in flash
quite wide (24mm)
great zoom (480mm)
does not have Time Lapse function
terrible battery (260 shots)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
69
lighter than others in class (245g)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
flash built-in
pretty wide (24mm)
long reach (384mm)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic ZS30
Landscape photography with Sony HX9V
44
quite wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (18MP)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
terrible battery (260 shots)
does not have Time Lapse function
49
you can focus manually
pretty wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
doesn't have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic ZS30
Vlogging with Sony HX9V
35
quite wide (24mm)
touch screen
has image stabilization (Optical)
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competitors in class (198 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
does not have external mic port
33
pretty wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than others in class (245 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
doesn't have microphone jack
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Panasonic ZS30 vs Sony HX9V Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS30 and Sony HX9V
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX9V
General Information
Brand Panasonic Sony
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX9V
Also Known as Lumix DMC-TZ40 -
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2013-01-07 2011-07-19
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor - 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 18 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4896 x 3672 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 23 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-480mm (20.0x) 24-384mm (16.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.3-6.4 f/3.3-5.9
Macro focusing distance 3cm -
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3" 3"
Screen resolution 920 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen tech - XtraFine LCD display with TruBlack technology
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/1200s 1/1600s
Continuous shooting speed 10.0 frames per second 10.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 6.40 m 4.00 m
Flash options 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 (60fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 1280 x 720 (30fps), 640 x 480 (30fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data 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
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 198 grams (0.44 lb) 245 grams (0.54 lb)
Physical dimensions 105 x 59 x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") 105 x 59 x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3")
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 photographs -
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 recording
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
Price at launch $250 $328