Panasonic ZS30 vs Sony QX30
92 Imaging
42 Features
48 Overall
44


91 Imaging
45 Features
37 Overall
41
Panasonic ZS30 vs Sony QX30 Key Specs
(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
- Released January 2013
- Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-TZ40
- Earlier Model is Panasonic ZS25
- Successor is Panasonic ZS35
(Full Review)
- 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- " Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 3200
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 24-720mm (F3.5-6.3) lens
- 193g - 68 x 65 x 58mm
- Launched September 2014

Panasonic ZS30 vs Sony QX30 Overview
Following is a extended review of the Panasonic ZS30 vs Sony QX30, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Lens-style by manufacturers Panasonic and Sony. The resolution of the ZS30 (18MP) and the QX30 (20MP) is pretty comparable and they possess the exact same sensor size (1/2.3").

The ZS30 was brought out 20 months earlier than the QX30 which makes the cameras a generation away from each other. Each of these cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic ZS30 being a Compact camera and the Sony QX30 being a Lens-style camera.
Before we go in to a comprehensive comparison, below is a simple introduction of how the ZS30 matches up vs the QX30 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Panasonic ZS30 vs Sony QX30 Gallery
The following is a preview of the gallery images for Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30 & Sony Cyber-shot DSC-QX30. The entire galleries are viewable at Panasonic ZS30 Gallery & Sony QX30 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS30 over the Sony QX30
ZS30 | QX30 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen dimension | 3" | ![]() | " | Bigger screen (+3") |
Screen resolution | 920k | ![]() | 0k | Clearer screen (+920k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sony QX30 over the Panasonic ZS30
QX30 | ZS30 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | September 2014 | ![]() | January 2013 | More modern by 20 months |
Common features in the Panasonic ZS30 and Sony QX30
ZS30 | QX30 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | Lack of manual focus | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lack of selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Quickly navigate |
Panasonic ZS30 vs Sony QX30 Physical Comparison
For anybody who is going to carry around your camera, you'll need to factor its weight and proportions. The Panasonic ZS30 enjoys external 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) while the Sony QX30 has measurements of 68mm x 65mm x 58mm (2.7" x 2.6" x 2.3") accompanied by a weight of 193 grams (0.43 lbs).
Check the Panasonic ZS30 vs Sony QX30 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Always remember, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you have during that time. Below is the front view measurement comparison of the ZS30 against the QX30.

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the ZS30 and QX30 is 92 and 91 respectively.

Panasonic ZS30 vs Sony QX30 Sensor Comparison
In many cases, it is very hard to envision the contrast in sensor sizes purely by seeing a spec sheet. The picture below may provide you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the ZS30 and QX30.
Clearly, both of those cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements albeit not the same resolution. You can expect the Sony QX30 to provide greater detail having its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will help you crop photographs somewhat more aggressively. The more aged ZS30 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor innovation.

Panasonic ZS30 vs Sony QX30 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS30 vs Sony QX30 Specifications
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-QX30 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Panasonic | Sony |
Model type | Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-QX30 |
Otherwise known as | Lumix DMC-TZ40 | - |
Class | Small Sensor Superzoom | Lens-style |
Released | 2013-01-07 | 2014-09-03 |
Body design | Compact | Lens-style |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | - | 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 area | 28.1mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 18MP | 20MP |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Full resolution | 4896 x 3672 | 5184 x 3888 |
Max native ISO | 6400 | 3200 |
Min native ISO | 100 | 80 |
RAW data | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detect autofocus | ||
Contract detect autofocus | ||
Phase detect autofocus | ||
Total focus points | 23 | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 24-480mm (20.0x) | 24-720mm (30.0x) |
Max aperture | f/3.3-6.4 | f/3.5-6.3 |
Macro focusing range | 3cm | - |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display diagonal | 3 inch | - |
Resolution of display | 920 thousand dot | 0 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch functionality | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 15 seconds | 4 seconds |
Highest shutter speed | 1/1200 seconds | 1/1600 seconds |
Continuous shooting speed | 10.0fps | 10.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Change white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash distance | 6.40 m | no built-in flash |
Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro | None |
Hot shoe | ||
AEB | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
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 (60p, 30p) |
Max video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
Video file format | MPEG-4, AVCHD | MPEG-4 |
Mic jack | ||
Headphone jack | ||
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 | ||
Environment seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 198 grams (0.44 pounds) | 193 grams (0.43 pounds) |
Dimensions | 105 x 59 x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") | 68 x 65 x 58mm (2.7" x 2.6" x 2.3") |
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 | 200 photographs |
Form of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | - | NP-BN, |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2, 10 secs) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Storage media | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal | microSD, microSDHC, microSDXC, Memory Stick Micro |
Storage slots | 1 | 1 |
Price at launch | $250 | $348 |