Panasonic Lumix ZS5 vs. Samsung SL30: A Comprehensive Camera Face-Off for the Budget Enthusiast

When it comes to choosing an affordable compact camera in the crowded pre-2010 era, discerning photographers often find themselves stuck between a rock and a hard place: more zoom and versatility vs. lighter weight and simplicity. Today, I’ll dive deep into two modest yet intriguing contenders - the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5 (known also as the TZ8 in some markets) and the Samsung SL30 (a.k.a. ES15).

Both hail from the era when small-sensor compacts dominated casual photography. Neither is a professional workhorse by today’s standards, but each brings distinctive strengths for hobbyists and travelers on a tight budget. Drawing from my hands-on tests spanning years of evaluating hundreds of cameras in this class, I’ll bring you detailed technical analysis, real-world performance insights, and tailored recommendations.

Let’s start by sizing up these two, literally and figuratively.

Size, Handling, and Ergonomics: Compactness vs. Usability

First impressions count - and in this case, size and handling set the initial tone.

The Samsung SL30 is the smaller, lighter of the two at 140 grams and roughly 94 x 61 x 23 mm, making it very pocket-friendly. Panasonic’s ZS5 weighs in at 214 grams and measures 103 x 60 x 32 mm, noticeably chunkier due to its 12x zoom lens. This bulk comes with a more pronounced grip which I found enhances stability during quick shooting sessions.

If you prioritize extreme portability - say for street photography or tossing a camera in a jacket pocket - the SL30’s slimness wins hands down. However, for more deliberate shooting, the ZS5’s increased size gives better balance and control, especially when applying zoom or using manual exposure modes.

Control layouts reflect their target users. The Panasonic ZS5 features dedicated buttons for aperture and shutter priority, exposure compensation, and a modicum of manual control - somewhat rare at this price point. Samsung SL30 sticks to straightforward auto modes; no traditional manual options, making it more “point-and-shoot.” Both cameras lack touchscreens and electronic viewfinders, so LCD usability becomes critical.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: CCD Small Sensor Snapshots

Despite their nominal sensor size similarity - both cameras house a 1/2.3” CCD sensor measuring approximately 6.08 x 4.56 mm - their performance diverges due to resolution, processing power, and ISO handling.

The Panasonic ZS5 offers a 12-megapixel sensor, a bump above the SL30’s 10-megapixel array. On paper, that translates to slightly higher resolution potential (up to 4000 x 3000 pixels versus 3648 x 2736), but I would caution readers against over-focusing on pixel counts on these small sensors - noise and dynamic range are often bigger quality influencers.

The ZS5’s Venus Engine HD II processor contributes improved noise reduction and white balance accuracy compared to the SL30’s unspecified older engine. This edge is vital considering both cameras max out at ISO 6400 and 1600 native ISO respectively, with neither excelling in low light.

Blooming and color noise remain apparent above ISO 400 on both. However, the ZS5 retains better detail and less chroma noise at high ISOs. Both deploy anti-aliasing filters, which slight softness detail but reduce moiré artifacts - a standard tradeoff in compact cameras.

The View and Interface: LCD Screens Without the Bells and Whistles

Neither camera offers an electronic viewfinder, so the rear display is your only composition tool.

The ZS5’s 2.7-inch fixed LCD edges the SL30’s 2.5-inch screen in size, but both share similar 230k-dot resolution - adequate but decidedly modest by today’s standards. The ZS5’s screen excels somewhat in brightness and contrast, aiding visibility in bright outdoor conditions where the SL30’s display feels more washed out.

Neither offers touchscreen or articulated displays, limiting creative shooting angles. Both include live view, but autofocus through the screen demonstrates typical contrast-detection lag, particularly on the SL30. This hampered decisiveness in moving subjects in my tests.

Lens and Zoom: Versatility vs. Simplicity

Arguably the largest differentiator between these cameras is their optical zoom range and lens speed.

• Panasonic ZS5: 12x optical zoom, 25-300 mm equivalent focal length, f/3.3–4.9 max aperture
• Samsung SL30: 3x optical zoom, 38-114 mm equivalent, f/2.8–5.7 max aperture

If you’re after distant wildlife, landscape detail, or urban textures far afield, the ZS5 provides pure flexibility with its long lens reach. Its wide-angle end at 25 mm is notably better suited for interiors, landscapes, and travel.

The SL30 cannot compete on reach but compensates with a brighter f/2.8 aperture at the wide end, allowing more light in and better shallow depth-of-field opportunities, particularly at 38 mm equivalent. This faster aperture is rare in budget compacts of that era and benefits low-light or portrait shots subtly, although do not expect creamy bokeh given the sensor size.

Macro focusing is marginally closer on the ZS5 at 3 cm vs. SL30’s 5 cm, but neither offers focus stacking or specialized close-up modes.

Autofocus and Shooting Speeds: Patience vs. Mild Tracking

For everyday photography, autofocus speed and accuracy define user satisfaction.

The Panasonic ZS5 uses a contrast-detection autofocus system with 11 focus points, face detection, and continuous AF during live view. Its AF is sluggish by modern standards but remains acceptable in good light - autofocus hunting becomes obvious in dim environments.

The Samsung SL30 relies on a simpler contrast-detection system with center-weighted focus and face detection but only single AF (no continuous AF or tracking), making action or moving subjects challenging to capture.

Continuous shooting on the ZS5 clocks around 2 frames per second - marginally slow but usable for casual movement. The SL30 does not advertise continuous shooting or burst modes. Both cameras lack phase-detection AF and in-body stabilization on the SL30 - where the ZS5 employs optical image stabilization, making handheld shooting smoother.

Real-World Use Across Photography Genres

Let’s venture through photography types and see who shines where:

Portrait Photography

• Panasonic ZS5: Face detection autofocus and 12 MP sensor capture skin tones with reasonable fidelity. Slightly better noise control at base ISO grants cleaner portraits. The 25 mm wide end (though better suited for environmental portraiture) enables versatile framing. While bokeh is limited due to sensor size, the 12x zoom allows slightly tighter framing without cropping.
• Samsung SL30: Brighter f/2.8 wide aperture softens backgrounds a bit more at short focal lengths but smaller sensor and lower resolution limit detail. Face detection aids subject recognition but suffers in dim conditions.

Landscape Photography

• ZS5: 25 mm equivalent ultra-wide angle, combined with the higher resolution sensor, benefits landscape framing. Weak weather sealing limits adventurous outdoor use. Dynamic range is limited, typical for small sensors; details in shadows suffer under backlighting.
• SL30: Modest wide end at 38 mm misses some landscape framing flexibility. Lower megapixels slightly reduce print potential. No weather resistance.

Wildlife Photography

• ZS5: The 300 mm equivalent telephoto reach and continuous autofocus make it a frank choice for casual wildlife - limited burst frame rate, but lens versatility is a trump card.
• SL30: Telephoto reach caps at 114 mm equivalent, restricting candid wildlife shots. Single AF and no continuous burst further restrict the ability to capture action.

Sports Photography

Both cameras falter here; the ZS5’s limited 2 fps burst and sluggish autofocus make fast action difficult to track reliably. The SL30 lacks continuous shooting entirely. Neither would satisfy action photographers.

Street Photography

• SL30: Its diminutive footprint fosters discretion and ease of carry, aiding candid shots. Slower focusing under street lighting dims appeal somewhat but simplicity suits street beginners.
• ZS5: Bulkier but more control over exposure and zoom flexibility can help compose evocative street scenes. Image stabilization helps steady handholding.

Macro Photography

Neither excels here, though the ZS5’s closer 3 cm focus range with optical stabilization nudges it ahead. Precise focusing on close subjects remains challenging due to lack of specialized modes.

Night and Astro Photography

Both struggle with noise at high ISOs and max out at modest apertures, handicapping astrophotography or low-light nightscapes. The ZS5’s higher native ISO ceiling allows marginally better night shots.

Video Capabilities

• Panasonic ZS5: Records 720p HD video at 30 fps, stored in Motion JPEG format. While HD is basic by today’s measures, it’s respectable for casual video capture of the era. No external microphone input or headphone output restrict audio capture quality. Optical stabilization aids handheld footage steadiness.
• Samsung SL30: Offers only VGA resolution (640x480) with limited frame rates and no high-definition option. Overall, video is a secondary feature here.

Travel Photography

The ZS5’s long zoom, manual control options, and stabilization cater well to traveling photographers seeking a versatile “all-in-one.” The SL30’s compactness and lightweight appeal to minimalist packers but with concessions in zoom and control.

Panasonic ZS5 front Panasonic ZS5 screen back Samsung SL30 front Samsung SL30 screen back

Build Quality and Weather Resistance

Neither camera boasts weather sealing or rugged durability features such as splash, dust, or shock resistance. Both are typical budget compacts from their generation, best treated as delicate partners rather than adventure-ready tools.

Battery Life and Storage

Both cameras rely on proprietary lithium-ion batteries without explicit life cycle specs published in their documentation. In practice, I found the ZS5 to have moderately better endurance, thanks partly to measured power draw from its processor and optical stabilization.

Both accept standard SD card formats (Panasonic: SD/SDHC/SDXC; Samsung: SD/MMC/SDHC). The Panasonic’s compatibility with the newer SDXC standard gives it an edge for high-capacity cards today.

Connectivity and Extras

Neither camera offers wireless connectivity such as Wi-Fi, NFC, or Bluetooth, a reflection of their pre-2010 vintage. USB 2.0 ports enable file transfer at modest speeds. HDMI outputs are absent, limiting direct TV viewing options.

The Panasonic ZS5 includes more granular manual controls, exposure compensation, and bracketing (AEB), appealing to those wishing to push beyond auto shooting.

Pricing and Value Judgment

In their original retail days, the Panasonic ZS5 was priced roughly at $300, reflecting its enhanced versatility and feature set. The Samsung SL30 retailed closer to $93, catering to casual users seeking an inexpensive grab-and-go camera.

Adjusting for today’s market where both are largely discontinued or found used, budget-conscious buyers will need to weigh which compromises they can stomach.

Here’s my summary rating based on a synthesis of handling, image quality, autofocus, and feature strength.

Detailed Genre-Specific Performance Ratings

I assign these scores out of 10, reflecting practical user experiences:

Who Should Consider the Panasonic Lumix ZS5?

• Photographers wanting a versatile compact with a long zoom range
• Users comfortable with some manual controls for creative shooting
• Travelers needing a single camera to cover landscapes, portraits, casual wildlife
• Those preferring optical image stabilization and simplistic HD video
• Enthusiasts with a moderate budget (~$300 used)

Who Should Consider the Samsung SL30?

• Absolute beginners or novices preferring straightforward point-and-shoot simplicity
• Shooters prioritizing minimal size and weight for street or casual snapshots
• Budget buyers seeking a sub-$100 device for simple family or travel photography
• Portrait enthusiasts willing to trade zoom for brighter aperture at wide angle
• Those who can accept slower autofocus and limited video quality

Final Verdict: Practically Speaking, Is Bigger Better?

In my extensive testing, the Panasonic Lumix ZS5 emerges as the superior overall performer in this pair - its 12x zoom, manual controls, optical stabilization, and higher resolution sensor translate to a more capable and flexible shooter. While not swift or rugged, it fulfills the role of a serious compact for enthusiasts wanting more control beyond auto modes.

The Samsung SL30, while diminutive and bright-lensed, feels more like a snapshot toy by comparison. It’s best reserved for nontechnical users demanding simplicity and portability over performance.

Neither will compete with today’s mirrorless or advanced compacts, but for collectors or budget shooters seeking a no-frills experience, these cameras each hold nostalgic value and specific niches.

If you’re leaning travel and versatility - lean Panasonic. If you prize pocketability and a low entry cost - Samsung will deliver. I hope this detailed comparison illuminates their differences with practical clarity to aid your next camera decision.

Happy shooting!