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Panasonic ZS30 vs Sony A65

Portability
92
Imaging
42
Features
48
Overall
44
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30 front
 
Sony SLT-A65 front
Portability
64
Imaging
63
Features
85
Overall
71

Panasonic ZS30 vs Sony A65 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
  • Revealed January 2013
  • Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-TZ40
  • Older Model is Panasonic ZS25
  • Updated by Panasonic ZS35
Sony A65
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Push to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 622g - 132 x 97 x 81mm
  • Announced November 2011
  • New Model is Sony A68
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Panasonic ZS30 vs Sony A65 Overview

The following is a complete analysis of the Panasonic ZS30 vs Sony A65, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by brands Panasonic and Sony. There is a considerable difference between the resolutions of the ZS30 (18MP) and A65 (24MP) and the ZS30 (1/2.3") and A65 (APS-C) feature different sensor dimensions.

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The ZS30 was released 14 months after the A65 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 A65 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before we go straight into a detailed comparison, below is a quick view of how the ZS30 grades vs the A65 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS30 over the Sony A65

 ZS30 A65 
AnnouncedJanuary 2013November 2011Newer by 14 months
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Sony A65 over the Panasonic ZS30

 A65 ZS30 
Manually focus Very precise focusing
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen resolution921k920kSharper screen (+1k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Panasonic ZS30 and Sony A65

 ZS30 A65 
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen sizing

Panasonic ZS30 vs Sony A65 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is intending to travel with your camera often, you will need to factor its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic ZS30 features outer measurements of 105mm x 59mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") with a weight of 198 grams (0.44 lbs) and the Sony A65 has dimensions of 132mm x 97mm x 81mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 3.2") along with a weight of 622 grams (1.37 lbs).

Contrast the Panasonic ZS30 vs Sony A65 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you use at that time. Below is the front view sizing comparison of the ZS30 vs the A65.

Panasonic ZS30 vs Sony A65 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the ZS30 and A65 is 92 and 64 respectively.

Panasonic ZS30 vs Sony A65 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS30 vs Sony A65 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is very hard to picture the gap between sensor dimensions purely by reading specifications. The pic underneath should give you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the ZS30 and A65.

Plainly, both the cameras posses different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The ZS30 due to its tinier sensor is going to make achieving shallow depth of field tougher and the Sony A65 will deliver more detail as a result of its extra 6 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop pictures somewhat more aggressively. The newer ZS30 should have an advantage when it comes to sensor tech.

Panasonic ZS30 vs Sony A65 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS30 vs Sony A65 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS30 vs Sony A65 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS30 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony A65 as a Portrait photography camera
33
resolution is good (18MP)
manual focus not available
cannot use external flash
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW format
77
focusing manually
MP count decent (24MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
provides face detect focus
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS30 Street photography factors
Sony A65 Street photography factors
66
image stabilization (Optical)
supports focus by touch
lighter than average in class (198 grams)
screen does not articulate
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW format
77
screen articulates
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic ZS30
Sports photography with Sony A65
46
excellent zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (18MP)
comes with tracking focus
maximum shutter speed is a little low (1/1,200s)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
not so great battery power (260 CIPA)
no phase detect autofocus
81
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (24MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
provides tracking focus
comes with phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic ZS30
Travel photography with Sony A65
69
lighter than average in class (198g)
supports focus by touch
resolution is good (18 megapixels)
flash built-in
relatively wide (24mm)
great reach (480mm)
lack of Time Lapse mode
not so great battery power (260 CIPA)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
68
MP count decent (24MP)
flash built-in
display is selfie friendly
lack of Timelapse recording
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS30 Landscape photography info
Sony A65 Landscape photography info
44
relatively wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (18MP)
manual focus not available
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW format
not so great battery power (260 per charge)
lack of Time Lapse mode
75
focusing manually
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (24 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
lack of Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS30 Vlogging highlights
Sony A65 Vlogging highlights
35
relatively wide (24mm)
touchscreen
image stabilization (Optical)
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than average in class (198 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
lack of mic socket
78
display is selfie friendly
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detect focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does have microphone socket
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Panasonic ZS30 vs Sony A65 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS30 and Sony A65
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30Sony SLT-A65
General Information
Brand Panasonic Sony
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30 Sony SLT-A65
Otherwise known as Lumix DMC-TZ40 -
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level DSLR
Revealed 2013-01-07 2011-11-15
Physical type Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 18MP 24MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4896 x 3672 6000 x 4000
Highest native ISO 6400 12800
Highest boosted ISO - 25600
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
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 -
Total lenses - 143
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Screen size 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 920 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,359 thousand dots
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 rate 10.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 6.40 m 10.00 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize - 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, 24 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 640 x 424 (29.97 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, AVCHD MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Microphone port
Headphone port
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
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 198 gr (0.44 pounds) 622 gr (1.37 pounds)
Dimensions 105 x 59 x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") 132 x 97 x 81mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 3.2")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 74
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.4
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.6
DXO Low light rating not tested 717
Other
Battery life 260 photographs 560 photographs
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots 1 1
Launch cost $250 $700