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Panasonic ZS5 vs Samsung WB30F

Portability
92
Imaging
35
Features
30
Overall
33
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5 front
 
Samsung WB30F front
Portability
96
Imaging
40
Features
33
Overall
37

Panasonic ZS5 vs Samsung WB30F Key Specs

Panasonic ZS5
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-300mm (F3.3-4.9) lens
  • 214g - 103 x 60 x 32mm
  • Introduced June 2010
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-TZ8
Samsung WB30F
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-240mm (F3.1-6.3) lens
  • 128g - 98 x 58 x 17mm
  • Launched January 2013
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Panasonic ZS5 vs Samsung WB30F Overview

Following is a complete analysis of the Panasonic ZS5 versus Samsung WB30F, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by competitors Panasonic and Samsung. There is a big difference among the sensor resolutions of the ZS5 (12MP) and WB30F (16MP) but they possess the exact same sensor size (1/2.3").

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The ZS5 was unveiled 3 years prior to the WB30F which is a fairly big gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both the cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before getting straight into a comprehensive comparison, below is a quick introduction of how the ZS5 scores against the WB30F with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS5 over the Samsung WB30F

 ZS5 WB30F 

Reasons to pick Samsung WB30F over the Panasonic ZS5

 WB30F ZS5 
LaunchedJanuary 2013June 2010More modern by 31 months
Screen dimension3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")

Common features in the Panasonic ZS5 and Samsung WB30F

 ZS5 WB30F 
Focus manually No manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kIdentical screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch screen Neither features Touch screen

Panasonic ZS5 vs Samsung WB30F Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to carry around your camera regularly, you have to factor in its weight and volume. The Panasonic ZS5 enjoys outer dimensions of 103mm x 60mm x 32mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") having a weight of 214 grams (0.47 lbs) while the Samsung WB30F has sizing of 98mm x 58mm x 17mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.7") with a weight of 128 grams (0.28 lbs).

Check out the Panasonic ZS5 versus Samsung WB30F in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you have attached at that time. Following is the front view over all size comparison of the ZS5 against the WB30F.

Panasonic ZS5 vs Samsung WB30F size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the ZS5 and WB30F is 92 and 96 respectively.

Panasonic ZS5 vs Samsung WB30F top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS5 vs Samsung WB30F Sensor Comparison

Often, it can be hard to visualize the difference in sensor sizes only by going through technical specs. The pic below will help give you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the ZS5 and WB30F.

As you can tell, each of the cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements albeit different megapixels. You should expect the Samsung WB30F to provide more detail having an extra 4MP. Higher resolution will help you crop pictures much more aggressively. The more aged ZS5 will be disadvantaged in sensor tech.

Panasonic ZS5 vs Samsung WB30F sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS5 vs Samsung WB30F Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS5 vs Samsung WB30F Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS5 Portrait photography details
Samsung WB30F Portrait photography details
27
provides face detect focusing
no manual focus
no external flash support
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
35
MP count good (16MP)
features face detect focus
focusing manually not possible
no manual control
cannot use external flash
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS5 as a Street photography camera
Samsung WB30F as a Street photography camera
61
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (214g)
no moving screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
64
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (128 grams)
no articulating screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS5 Sports photography highlights
Samsung WB30F Sports photography highlights
31
built in image stabilization (Optical)
provides tracking focus
maximum shutter speed is a little low (1/1,300s)
slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames/s)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
45
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
features tracking focus
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS5 Travel photography features
Samsung WB30F Travel photography features
63
lighter than average in class (214g)
has built in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
very long reach (300mm)
lack of Time Lapse recording
MP count low (12MP)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f3.3)
69
lighter than others (128 grams)
MP count good (16MP)
built-in flash
fairly wide (24mm)
missing Timelapse mode
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic ZS5
Landscape photography with Samsung WB30F
33
pretty wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen is small (2.7")
MP count low (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
lack of Time Lapse recording
43
fairly wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
no manual control
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
missing Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS5 Vlogging highlights
Samsung WB30F Vlogging highlights
31
pretty wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect focusing
lighter than average in class (214 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of mic port
33
fairly wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect focus
lighter than others (128 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing microphone socket
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Panasonic ZS5 vs Samsung WB30F Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS5 and Samsung WB30F
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5Samsung WB30F
General Information
Brand Panasonic Samsung
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5 Samsung WB30F
Also Known as Lumix DMC-TZ8 -
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2010-06-16 2013-01-07
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Venus Engine HD II -
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 -
Maximum resolution 4000 x 3000 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Lowest native ISO 80 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 11 -
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-300mm (12.0x) 24-240mm (10.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.3-4.9 f/3.1-6.3
Macro focus distance 3cm -
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.7 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display tech - QVGA TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 secs 8 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/1300 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 2.0fps -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 5.30 m -
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro -
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 214 gr (0.47 lbs) 128 gr (0.28 lbs)
Dimensions 103 x 60 x 32mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") 98 x 58 x 17mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 1 1
Price at launch $300 $180