Clicky

Panasonic ZS30 vs Sony RX100

Portability
92
Imaging
42
Features
48
Overall
44
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 front
Portability
91
Imaging
50
Features
68
Overall
57

Panasonic ZS30 vs Sony RX100 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
  • Earlier Model is Panasonic ZS25
  • Refreshed by Panasonic ZS35
Sony RX100
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-100mm (F1.8-4.9) lens
  • 240g - 102 x 58 x 36mm
  • Launched August 2012
  • New Model is Sony RX100 II
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Panasonic ZS30 vs Sony RX100 Overview

Lets look much closer at the Panasonic ZS30 and Sony RX100, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Large Sensor Compact by companies Panasonic and Sony. The sensor resolution of the ZS30 (18MP) and the RX100 (20MP) is relatively similar but the ZS30 (1/2.3") and RX100 (1") enjoy totally different sensor size.

Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

The ZS30 was introduced 5 months later than the RX100 which means that they are both of a similar age. Both of the cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic ZS30 being a Compact camera and the Sony RX100 being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before going straight into a more detailed comparison, below is a quick summary of how the ZS30 matches up versus the RX100 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS30 over the Sony RX100

 ZS30 RX100 
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Sony RX100 over the Panasonic ZS30

 RX100 ZS30 
Manually focus Dial precise focus
Screen resolution1229k920kCrisper screen (+309k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic ZS30 and Sony RX100

 ZS30 RX100 
LaunchedJanuary 2013August 2012Similar age
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen size
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen

Panasonic ZS30 vs Sony RX100 Physical Comparison

If you're going to lug around your camera regularly, you will have to consider its weight and size. The Panasonic ZS30 comes with exterior dimensions of 105mm x 59mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") having a weight of 198 grams (0.44 lbs) whilst the Sony RX100 has specifications of 102mm x 58mm x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.4") and a weight of 240 grams (0.53 lbs).

Compare the Panasonic ZS30 and Sony RX100 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are using at that time. The following is the front view measurements comparison of the ZS30 compared to the RX100.

Panasonic ZS30 vs Sony RX100 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the ZS30 and RX100 is 92 and 91 respectively.

Panasonic ZS30 vs Sony RX100 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS30 vs Sony RX100 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is hard to see the contrast between sensor measurements merely by reading a spec sheet. The photograph here should provide you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the ZS30 and RX100.

Clearly, both of the cameras posses different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The ZS30 having a tinier sensor will make getting shallow depth of field trickier and the Sony RX100 will deliver more detail using its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop shots somewhat more aggressively.

Panasonic ZS30 vs Sony RX100 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS30 vs Sony RX100 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS30 vs Sony RX100 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS30 Portrait photography info
Sony RX100 Portrait photography info
33
sensor resolution is decent (18 megapixels)
no manual focus
cannot use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
64
has manual focus
flash sync is higher than normal (1/2,000s)
megapixel count good (20MP)
sensor size is decent (1")
includes face detect focusing
exports RAW formats
cannot use external flash
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS30 as a Street photography camera
Sony RX100 as a Street photography camera
66
has image stabilization (Optical)
provides touch to focus
lighter than others in class (198g)
screen does not articulate
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
79
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor size is decent (1")
exports RAW formats
lighter than competition (240g)
good ISO range (25,600)
no articulating screen
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS30 as a Sports photography camera
Sony RX100 as a Sports photography camera
46
amazing zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (18 megapixels)
features tracking focus
maximum shutter speed is a little low (1/1,200 seconds)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
terrible battery life (260 per charge)
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
65
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (20 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (1")
includes tracking focus
no phase detect AF
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS30 Travel photography information
Sony RX100 Travel photography information
69
lighter than others in class (198 grams)
provides touch to focus
sensor resolution is decent (18MP)
flash built-in
really wide (24mm)
long zoom (480mm)
lack of Time Lapse mode
terrible battery life (260 per charge)
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
79
lighter than competition (240 grams)
megapixel count good (20 megapixels)
has built in flash
fairly wide (28mm)
good maximum aperture (f1.8)
display is not selfie friendly
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS30 Landscape photography features
Sony RX100 Landscape photography features
44
really wide (24mm)
screen size is decent (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (18MP)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
terrible battery life (260 per charge)
lack of Time Lapse mode
74
has manual focus
fairly wide (28mm)
good maximum aperture (f1.8)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (20 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (1")
good ISO range (25,600)
exports RAW formats
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS30 Vlogging details
Sony RX100 Vlogging details
35
really wide (24mm)
touch screen
has image stabilization (Optical)
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than others in class (198 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of mic socket
38
fairly wide (28mm)
good maximum aperture (f1.8)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detect focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition (240g)
display is not selfie friendly
missing microphone jack
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Panasonic ZS30 vs Sony RX100 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS30 and Sony RX100
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Sony
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100
Also called as Lumix DMC-TZ40 -
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Large Sensor Compact
Announced 2013-01-07 2012-08-28
Body design Compact Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 13.2 x 8.8mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 116.2mm²
Sensor resolution 18 megapixel 20 megapixel
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 5472 x 3648
Max native ISO 6400 25600
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 23 25
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-480mm (20.0x) 28-100mm (3.6x)
Max aperture f/3.3-6.4 f/1.8-4.9
Macro focusing distance 3cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 2.7
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 920k dot 1,229k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display tech - WhiteMagic TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/1200 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 10.0 frames per second 10.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 6.40 m -
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash sync - 1/2000 secs
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 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (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 None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 198g (0.44 pounds) 240g (0.53 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 rating not tested 66
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 22.6
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.4
DXO Low light rating not tested 390
Other
Battery life 260 photos 330 photos
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-BX1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse recording With downloadable app
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots Single Single
Cost at launch $250 $448