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Panasonic ZS5 vs Sony QX30

Portability
92
Imaging
35
Features
30
Overall
33
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-QX30 front
Portability
91
Imaging
45
Features
37
Overall
41

Panasonic ZS5 vs Sony QX30 Key Specs

Panasonic ZS5
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-300mm (F3.3-4.9) lens
  • 214g - 103 x 60 x 32mm
  • Announced June 2010
  • Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-TZ8
Sony QX30
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • " Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.5-6.3) lens
  • 193g - 68 x 65 x 58mm
  • Released September 2014
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Panasonic ZS5 vs Sony QX30 Overview

Below is a extended overview of the Panasonic ZS5 and Sony QX30, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Lens-style by brands Panasonic and Sony. There exists a crucial gap among the image resolutions of the ZS5 (12MP) and QX30 (20MP) but they use the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The ZS5 was manufactured 5 years earlier than the QX30 and that is a fairly serious gap as far as camera technology is concerned. The two cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic ZS5 being a Compact camera and the Sony QX30 being a Lens-style camera.

Before getting through a more detailed comparison, below is a concise summary of how the ZS5 scores against the QX30 for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS5 over the Sony QX30

 ZS5 QX30 
Display sizing2.7""Larger display (+2.7")
Display resolution230k0kClearer display (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony QX30 over the Panasonic ZS5

 QX30 ZS5 
ReleasedSeptember 2014June 2010More recent by 51 months
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Panasonic ZS5 and Sony QX30

 ZS5 QX30 
Manually focus Lack of manual focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen

Panasonic ZS5 vs Sony QX30 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is intending to lug around your camera, you'll have to factor its weight and size. The Panasonic ZS5 comes with outside dimensions of 103mm x 60mm x 32mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") with a weight of 214 grams (0.47 lbs) whilst the Sony QX30 has specifications of 68mm x 65mm x 58mm (2.7" x 2.6" x 2.3") along with a weight of 193 grams (0.43 lbs).

Look at the Panasonic ZS5 and Sony QX30 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you have chosen at the time. Following is the front view overall size comparison of the ZS5 vs the QX30.

Panasonic ZS5 vs Sony QX30 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the ZS5 and QX30 is 92 and 91 respectively.

Panasonic ZS5 vs Sony QX30 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS5 vs Sony QX30 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it can be tough to visualise the gap in sensor measurements just by going through a spec sheet. The photograph underneath might offer you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the ZS5 and QX30.

Clearly, both of these cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but not the same resolution. You should expect to see the Sony QX30 to produce greater detail due to its extra 8 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also let you crop pics far more aggressively. The older ZS5 will be behind with regard to sensor technology.

Panasonic ZS5 vs Sony QX30 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS5 vs Sony QX30 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS5 vs Sony QX30 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS5 Portrait photography highlights
Sony QX30 Portrait photography highlights
27
features face detection focusing
no manual focus
can't use external flash
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
38
sensor resolution is decent (20MP)
provides face detect focusing
no manual focus
manual exposure not possible
can't use external flash
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS5 Street photography information
Sony QX30 Street photography information
61
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (214g)
fixed screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
62
built in image stabilization (Optical)
comes with touch to focus
screen is fixed
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS5 as a Sports photography camera
Sony QX30 as a Sports photography camera
31
has image stabilization (Optical)
features tracking autofocus
low maximum shutter speed (1/1,300 seconds)
continuous shooting slow (2.0 fps)
low MP (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
47
amazing zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (20MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
not so great battery pack (200 CIPA)
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic ZS5
Travel photography with Sony QX30
63
lighter than competition (214 grams)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (25mm)
great reach (300mm)
lack of Time Lapse recording
low MP (12MP)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
65
comes with touch to focus
sensor resolution is decent (20 megapixels)
reasonably wide (24mm)
very long reach (720mm)
missing Time Lapse function
not so great battery pack (200 per charge)
does not have selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS5 Landscape photography highlights
Sony QX30 Landscape photography highlights
33
reasonably wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
small screen (2.7 inches)
low MP (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
lack of Time Lapse recording
39
reasonably wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (20MP)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
small screen (")
manual exposure not possible
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
not so great battery pack (200 per charge)
missing Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic ZS5
Vlogging with Sony QX30
31
reasonably wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
features face detection focusing
lighter than competition (214 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of external mic support
35
reasonably wide (24mm)
built-in touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
does not have selfie friendly screen
missing mic jack
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Panasonic ZS5 vs Sony QX30 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS5 and Sony QX30
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5Sony Cyber-shot DSC-QX30
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Sony
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-QX30
Alternate name Lumix DMC-TZ8 -
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Lens-style
Announced 2010-06-16 2014-09-03
Body design Compact Lens-style
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Venus Engine HD II Bionz X
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 20 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4000 x 3000 5184 x 3888
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 11 -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-300mm (12.0x) 24-720mm (30.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.3-4.9 f/3.5-6.3
Macro focusing distance 3cm -
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.7 inch -
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dot 0 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 60 seconds 4 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/1300 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 2.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 5.30 m no built-in flash
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro None
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4
Mic input
Headphone input
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 seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 214g (0.47 pounds) 193g (0.43 pounds)
Dimensions 103 x 60 x 32mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") 68 x 65 x 58mm (2.7" x 2.6" x 2.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 - 200 photos
Battery format - Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-BN,
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2, 10 secs)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal microSD, microSDHC, microSDXC, Memory Stick Micro
Storage slots Single Single
Cost at release $300 $348