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Panasonic ZS40 vs Sony HX30V

Portability
90
Imaging
43
Features
58
Overall
49
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V front
Portability
90
Imaging
42
Features
50
Overall
45

Panasonic ZS40 vs Sony HX30V Key Specs

Panasonic ZS40
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200 (Expand to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 240g - 111 x 64 x 34mm
  • Introduced January 2014
  • Additionally Known as Lumix DMC-TZ60
  • Older Model is Panasonic ZS35
  • Successor is Panasonic ZS45
Sony HX30V
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-500mm (F3.2-5.8) lens
  • 254g - 107 x 62 x 35mm
  • Launched February 2012
  • Older Model is Sony HX20V
  • Later Model is Sony HX50V
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Panasonic ZS40 vs Sony HX30V Overview

In this write-up, we will be contrasting the Panasonic ZS40 versus Sony HX30V, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by competitors Panasonic and Sony. The sensor resolution of the ZS40 (18MP) and the HX30V (18MP) is relatively similar and they come with the same exact sensor size (1/2.3").

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The ZS40 was introduced 23 months later than the HX30V which makes the cameras a generation apart from one another. Each of the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before getting straight into a detailed comparison, below is a concise summary of how the ZS40 scores vs the HX30V in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS40 over the Sony HX30V

 ZS40 HX30V 
LaunchedJanuary 2014February 2012Fresher by 23 months

Reasons to pick Sony HX30V over the Panasonic ZS40

 HX30V ZS40 
Screen resolution922k920kCrisper screen (+2k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic ZS40 and Sony HX30V

 ZS40 HX30V 
Focus manually Very exact focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen size
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Lack of Touch friendly screen

Panasonic ZS40 vs Sony HX30V Physical Comparison

In case you're intending to carry your camera regularly, you will need to take into account its weight and volume. The Panasonic ZS40 offers external dimensions of 111mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.3") having a weight of 240 grams (0.53 lbs) whilst the Sony HX30V has sizing of 107mm x 62mm x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4") along with a weight of 254 grams (0.56 lbs).

Check out the Panasonic ZS40 versus Sony HX30V in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you have chosen during that time. The following is the front view measurement comparison of the ZS40 vs the HX30V.

Panasonic ZS40 vs Sony HX30V size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the ZS40 and HX30V is 90 and 90 respectively.

Panasonic ZS40 vs Sony HX30V top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS40 vs Sony HX30V Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is very tough to envision the contrast between sensor sizing merely by reading a spec sheet. The graphic underneath will provide you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the ZS40 and HX30V.

Clearly, both of the cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing and the same megapixels therefore you should expect similar quality of images but you have to consider the release date of the products into consideration. The more recent ZS40 will have an edge with regard to sensor innovation.

Panasonic ZS40 vs Sony HX30V sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS40 vs Sony HX30V Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS40 vs Sony HX30V Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS40 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony HX30V as a Portrait photography camera
52
manual focus
resolution is good (18MP)
supports face detect focus
delivers RAW files
can't use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
45
has manual focus
megapixel count decent (18 megapixels)
offers face detect autofocus
no external flash support
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS40 Street photography details
Sony HX30V Street photography details
69
has image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW files
lighter than competitors (240g)
no articulating screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
61
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (254g)
no moving screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic ZS40
Sports photography with Sony HX30V
54
excellent zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (18MP)
supports tracking focus
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
49
long zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (18 megapixels)
offers tracking focus
lack of shutter priority mode
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic ZS40
Travel photography with Sony HX30V
69
lighter than competitors (240g)
resolution is good (18MP)
has built in flash
relatively wide (24mm)
very long zoom (720mm)
missing Timelapse function
does not posses selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
69
lighter than others (254g)
megapixel count decent (18 megapixels)
has built in flash
rather wide (25mm)
long reach (500mm)
lack of Timelapse mode
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.2)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS40 Landscape photography features
Sony HX30V Landscape photography features
56
manual focus
relatively wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (18MP)
delivers RAW files
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
missing Timelapse function
50
has manual focus
rather wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (18MP)
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.2)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
lack of Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS40 Vlogging factors
Sony HX30V Vlogging factors
34
relatively wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competitors (240 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
does not posses selfie friendly display
missing microphone socket
34
rather wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detect autofocus
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than others (254g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.2)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
lack of microphone socket
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Panasonic ZS40 vs Sony HX30V Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS40 and Sony HX30V
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V
General Information
Make Panasonic Sony
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V
Also called as Lumix DMC-TZ60 -
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2014-01-06 2012-02-28
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Venus Engine BIONZ
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 18 megapixel 18 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Full resolution 4896 x 3672 4896 x 3672
Max native ISO 3200 12800
Max boosted ISO 6400 -
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 23 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-720mm (30.0x) 25-500mm (20.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.3-6.4 f/3.2-5.8
Macro focusing range 3cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 920 thousand dots 922 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen tech TFT LCD with AR coating XtraFine TruBlack TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 200 thousand dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shooting rate 10.0 frames per sec 10.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 6.40 m 7.10 m
Flash options Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60p/60i/30p), 1280 x 720 (60p/30p), 640 x 480 (30p) 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 data format MPEG-4, AVCHD MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
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 240g (0.53 lb) 254g (0.56 lb)
Dimensions 111 x 64 x 34mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.3") 107 x 62 x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4")
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 300 shots 320 shots
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-BG1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Card slots One One
Launch cost $450 $420