Clicky

Panasonic ZS30 vs Sony A33

Portability
92
Imaging
42
Features
48
Overall
44
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30 front
 
Sony SLT-A33 front
Portability
67
Imaging
54
Features
80
Overall
64

Panasonic ZS30 vs Sony A33 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
  • Revealed January 2013
  • Other Name is Lumix DMC-TZ40
  • Succeeded the Panasonic ZS25
  • New Model is Panasonic ZS35
Sony A33
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Expand to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 500g - 124 x 92 x 85mm
  • Announced August 2010
  • Successor is Sony A35
Ulanzi's Tripod Ensures Ultra Smooth Filming

Panasonic ZS30 vs Sony A33 Overview

Here is a complete analysis of the Panasonic ZS30 versus Sony A33, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by rivals Panasonic and Sony. There is a big difference among the sensor resolutions of the ZS30 (18MP) and A33 (14MP) and the ZS30 (1/2.3") and A33 (APS-C) use different sensor size.

Peek Behind the Lens of 'Photographer' and Their Go-To Cameras

The ZS30 was brought out 2 years later than the A33 and that is a fairly big gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of these cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic ZS30 being a Compact camera and the Sony A33 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before getting through a full comparison, below is a short overview of how the ZS30 scores against the A33 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Europe Approves Revolutionary AI Legislation
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS30 over the Sony A33

 ZS30 A33 
AnnouncedJanuary 2013August 2010Fresher by 29 months
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Sony A33 over the Panasonic ZS30

 A33 ZS30 
Focus manually Very exact focusing
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display resolution921k920kSharper display (+1k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Panasonic ZS30 and Sony A33

 ZS30 A33 
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display size

Panasonic ZS30 vs Sony A33 Physical Comparison

If you are planning to carry your camera, you have to take into account its weight and size. The Panasonic ZS30 features outside dimensions of 105mm x 59mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") along with a weight of 198 grams (0.44 lbs) whilst the Sony A33 has specifications of 124mm x 92mm x 85mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 3.3") along with a weight of 500 grams (1.10 lbs).

Check out the Panasonic ZS30 versus Sony A33 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you have during that time. Underneath is the front view scale comparison of the ZS30 against the A33.

Panasonic ZS30 vs Sony A33 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the ZS30 and A33 is 92 and 67 respectively.

Panasonic ZS30 vs Sony A33 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS30 vs Sony A33 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it's difficult to picture the gap in sensor sizing purely by seeing specs. The graphic here will offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the ZS30 and A33.

All in all, each of the cameras offer different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The ZS30 featuring a smaller sensor is going to make shooting bokeh trickier and the Panasonic ZS30 will provide more detail having its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will help you crop pics a little more aggressively. The younger ZS30 should have a benefit with regard to sensor tech.

Panasonic ZS30 vs Sony A33 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS30 vs Sony A33 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS30 vs Sony A33 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Google AI Gemini Could Enhance iPhone Experience, Talks Suggest

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS30 Portrait photography information
Sony A33 Portrait photography information
33
good megapixels (18MP)
manual focus not available
no external flash support
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
72
manual focus
megapixel count good (14MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
comes with face detection focus
saves RAW formats
Apple patent reveals improved iPhone camera durability

Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS30 Street photography details
Sony A33 Street photography details
66
image stabilization (Optical)
features focus by touch
lighter than competition in class (198 grams)
no articulating screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
76
screen articulates
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
Fujifilm accuses Eastman Kodak of patent violation in new lawsuit

Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic ZS30
Sports photography with Sony A33
46
great zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (18 megapixels)
provides tracking autofocus
max shutter speed is low (1/1,200s)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
not so great battery power (260 CIPA)
no phase detect AF
67
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (14MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports phase detect auto focus
low battery (340 per charge)
TikTok Developing Photo App to Challenge Instagram's Dominance

Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic ZS30
Travel photography with Sony A33
69
lighter than competition in class (198g)
features focus by touch
good megapixels (18 megapixels)
built-in flash
fairly wide (24mm)
great reach (480mm)
no Timelapse recording
not so great battery power (260 CIPA)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f3.3)
61
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
screen is selfie friendly
does not have Time Lapse mode
low battery (340 shots)
AI-Powered Photo Editing Tools Could Be Added to WhatsApp

Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS30 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony A33 as a Landscape photography camera
44
fairly wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (18 megapixels)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
not so great battery power (260 CIPA)
no Timelapse recording
67
manual focus
switch lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (14MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
low battery (340 CIPA)
does not have Time Lapse mode
Leica struggles with L-Mount camera sales, tougher than Q or M

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS30 Vlogging details
Sony A33 Vlogging details
35
fairly wide (24mm)
touchscreen
image stabilization (Optical)
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition in class (198 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
no external microphone jack
77
screen is selfie friendly
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detection focus
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
comes with external mic jack
Nikon Coolpix camera search on Google skyrockets by 8,500%

Panasonic ZS30 vs Sony A33 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS30 and Sony A33
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30Sony SLT-A33
General Information
Company Panasonic Sony
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30 Sony SLT-A33
Other name Lumix DMC-TZ40 -
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level DSLR
Revealed 2013-01-07 2010-08-24
Body design Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Chip - Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 18MP 14MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4896 x 3672 4592 x 3056
Max native ISO 6400 12800
Max boosted ISO - 25600
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 23 15
Cross type focus points - 3
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens zoom range 24-480mm (20.0x) -
Maximum aperture f/3.3-6.4 -
Macro focusing distance 3cm -
Amount of lenses - 143
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Display diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 920 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,150 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.73x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/1200 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 10.0 frames/s 7.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 6.40 m 10.00 m (@ ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync - 1/160 seconds
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) 1920 x 1080 (60, 29.97 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 640 x 424 (29.97 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, AVCHD MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Mic 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 lb) 500g (1.10 lb)
Dimensions 105 x 59 x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") 124 x 92 x 85mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 70
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 22.8
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.6
DXO Low light rating not tested 591
Other
Battery life 260 pictures 340 pictures
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-FW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots Single Single
Retail price $250 $230