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Panasonic ZS30 vs Sony S950

Portability
92
Imaging
42
Features
48
Overall
44
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S950 front
Portability
94
Imaging
33
Features
17
Overall
26

Panasonic ZS30 vs Sony S950 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
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-TZ40
  • Older Model is Panasonic ZS25
  • Replacement is Panasonic ZS35
Sony S950
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • 33-132mm (F3.3-5.2) lens
  • 167g - 93 x 56 x 24mm
  • Revealed February 2009
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Panasonic ZS30 vs Sony S950 Overview

Lets look a little more in depth at the Panasonic ZS30 versus Sony S950, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by companies Panasonic and Sony. There is a sizable difference among the image resolutions of the ZS30 (18MP) and S950 (10MP) but they enjoy the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The ZS30 was unveiled 3 years after the S950 which is a fairly significant difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before we go through a in depth comparison, below is a simple overview of how the ZS30 matches up versus the S950 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS30 over the Sony S950

 ZS30 S950 
RevealedJanuary 2013February 2009Newer by 48 months
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution920k230kCrisper display (+690k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Sony S950 over the Panasonic ZS30

 S950 ZS30 
Manually focus Dial accurate focus

Common features in the Panasonic ZS30 and Sony S950

 ZS30 S950 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen

Panasonic ZS30 vs Sony S950 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is going to travel with your camera, you should think about its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic ZS30 features physical measurements 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 S950 has dimensions of 93mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

See the Panasonic ZS30 versus Sony S950 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you choose at that time. Here is the front view size comparison of the ZS30 and the S950.

Panasonic ZS30 vs Sony S950 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the ZS30 and S950 is 92 and 94 respectively.

Panasonic ZS30 vs Sony S950 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS30 vs Sony S950 Sensor Comparison

Often, it's hard to visualize the contrast in sensor dimensions just by checking out a spec sheet. The picture below might give you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the ZS30 and S950.

As you can see, the 2 cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but different resolution. You can expect to see the Panasonic ZS30 to show greater detail having an extra 8MP. Greater resolution will also make it easier to crop photos a little more aggressively. The newer ZS30 provides a benefit when it comes to sensor technology.

Panasonic ZS30 vs Sony S950 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS30 vs Sony S950 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS30 vs Sony S950 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic ZS30
Portrait photography with Sony S950
33
MP count good (18MP)
lack of manual focus
external flash not possible
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
26
focusing manually
lack of manual mode
cannot use external flash
low resolution sensor (10MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS30 Street photography features
Sony S950 Street photography features
66
image stabilization (Optical)
provides focus by touch
lighter than competition in class (198g)
fixed screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
56
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
screen is fixed
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS30 Sports photography factors
Sony S950 Sports photography factors
46
excellent zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (18 megapixels)
comes with tracking autofocus
low maximum shutter speed (1/1,200s)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
not so great battery pack (260 CIPA)
lack of phase detect autofocus
24
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
low fps (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
low resolution sensor (10 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS30 as a Travel photography camera
Sony S950 as a Travel photography camera
69
lighter than competition in class (198 grams)
provides focus by touch
MP count good (18MP)
built-in flash
quite wide (24mm)
very long zoom (480mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
not so great battery pack (260 shots)
display isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
50
has built in flash
doesn't have Timelapse recording
low resolution sensor (10MP)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
wide angle not the best (33mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS30 Landscape photography details
Sony S950 Landscape photography details
44
quite wide (24mm)
screen is a good size (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (18MP)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
not so great battery pack (260 shots)
does not have Time Lapse mode
31
focusing manually
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (33mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
small screen (2.7 inch)
lack of manual mode
low resolution sensor (10 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
doesn't have Timelapse recording
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic ZS30
Vlogging with Sony S950
35
quite wide (24mm)
touchscreen enabled
image stabilization (Optical)
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition in class (198 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have external mic jack
9
lack of video recording
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Panasonic ZS30 vs Sony S950 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS30 and Sony S950
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S950
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Sony
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S950
Also referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ40 -
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Released 2013-01-07 2009-02-17
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CCD
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 10 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4896 x 3672 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 6400 3200
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 23 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-480mm (20.0x) 33-132mm (4.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.3-6.4 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focusing range 3cm 10cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inch 2.7 inch
Screen resolution 920 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15s 2s
Maximum shutter speed 1/1200s 1/1600s
Continuous shooting rate 10.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 6.40 m 3.50 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
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) -
Max video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video file format MPEG-4, AVCHD Motion JPEG
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 198 gr (0.44 pounds) 167 gr (0.37 pounds)
Dimensions 105 x 59 x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") 93 x 56 x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
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 shots -
Form of battery Battery Pack -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Pricing at launch $250 $130