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Panasonic ZS8 vs Samsung HZ30W

Portability
92
Imaging
37
Features
39
Overall
37
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8 front
 
Samsung HZ30W front
Portability
91
Imaging
34
Features
40
Overall
36

Panasonic ZS8 vs Samsung HZ30W Key Specs

Panasonic ZS8
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-384mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 210g - 105 x 58 x 33mm
  • Introduced July 2011
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-TZ18
  • Earlier Model is Panasonic ZS7
Samsung HZ30W
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-360mm (F3.2-5.8) lens
  • 245g - 107 x 61 x 28mm
  • Revealed January 2010
  • Alternate Name is WB600
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Panasonic ZS8 vs Samsung HZ30W Overview

Here, we will be reviewing the Panasonic ZS8 versus Samsung HZ30W, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by competitors Panasonic and Samsung. The image resolution of the ZS8 (14MP) and the HZ30W (12MP) is relatively well matched and both cameras offer the identical sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The ZS8 was manufactured 19 months later than the HZ30W which makes them a generation apart from one another. Both of the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before we go into a complete comparison, here is a short introduction of how the ZS8 matches up against the HZ30W when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS8 over the Samsung HZ30W

 ZS8 HZ30W 
RevealedJuly 2011January 2010Fresher by 19 months

Reasons to pick Samsung HZ30W over the Panasonic ZS8

 HZ30W ZS8 
Manual focus Very precise focusing

Common features in the Panasonic ZS8 and Samsung HZ30W

 ZS8 HZ30W 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen dimensions
Screen resolution230k230kThe same screen resolution
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Missing Touch friendly screen

Panasonic ZS8 vs Samsung HZ30W Physical Comparison

In case you're going to carry your camera frequently, you are going to need to consider its weight and size. The Panasonic ZS8 provides exterior measurements of 105mm x 58mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") having a weight of 210 grams (0.46 lbs) while the Samsung HZ30W has specifications of 107mm x 61mm x 28mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.1") having a weight of 245 grams (0.54 lbs).

Analyze the Panasonic ZS8 versus Samsung HZ30W in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you are working with at the time. Here is a front view measurements comparison of the ZS8 vs the HZ30W.

Panasonic ZS8 vs Samsung HZ30W size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the ZS8 and HZ30W is 92 and 91 respectively.

Panasonic ZS8 vs Samsung HZ30W top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS8 vs Samsung HZ30W Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is very difficult to visualize the contrast between sensor sizing merely by checking a spec sheet. The graphic here might give you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the ZS8 and HZ30W.

Clearly, both the cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit different MP. You should count on the Panasonic ZS8 to resolve extra detail due to its extra 2MP. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop shots way more aggressively. The fresher ZS8 should have an edge when it comes to sensor tech.

Panasonic ZS8 vs Samsung HZ30W sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS8 vs Samsung HZ30W Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS8 vs Samsung HZ30W Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS8 Portrait photography information
Samsung HZ30W Portrait photography information
30
megapixel count good (14MP)
manual focus not available
can't use external flash
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
28
manual focus
can't use external flash
resolution not great (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS8 as a Street photography camera
Samsung HZ30W as a Street photography camera
61
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (210 grams)
screen is fixed
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
60
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (245g)
no moving screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic ZS8
Sports photography with Samsung HZ30W
47
amazing zoom range (24-384mm 16.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
features tracking autofocus
painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames/s)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
42
great zoom range (24-360mm 15.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
comes with tracking focus
resolution not great (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS8 Travel photography features
Samsung HZ30W Travel photography features
69
lighter than competitors in class (210g)
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
decently wide (24mm)
long zoom (384mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
does not have selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
63
lighter than competition (245 grams)
flash built-in
decently wide (24mm)
great reach (360mm)
lack of Time Lapse function
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
does not have a selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.2)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS8 Landscape photography info
Samsung HZ30W Landscape photography info
44
decently wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (14MP)
manual focus not available
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
does not have Time Lapse mode
42
manual focus
decently wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.2)
resolution not great (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
lack of Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS8 as a Vlogging camera
Samsung HZ30W as a Vlogging camera
30
decently wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (210g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
does not have selfie friendly display
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have external mic port
30
decently wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (245g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.2)
does not have a selfie friendly display
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of mic socket
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Panasonic ZS8 vs Samsung HZ30W Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS8 and Samsung HZ30W
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8Samsung HZ30W
General Information
Make Panasonic Samsung
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8 Samsung HZ30W
Otherwise known as Lumix DMC-TZ18 WB600
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2011-07-19 2010-01-19
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Venus Engine FHD -
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4320 x 3240 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 6400 3200
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 11 -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-384mm (16.0x) 24-360mm (15.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.3-5.9 f/3.2-5.8
Macro focusing distance 3cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3" 3"
Display resolution 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display technology TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 60s 16s
Max shutter speed 1/4000s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter rate 2.0 frames per second -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 5.00 m 5.00 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (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 (60, 30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4 H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 210 grams (0.46 lb) 245 grams (0.54 lb)
Physical dimensions 105 x 58 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") 107 x 61 x 28mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.1")
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 340 pictures -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID - SLB-11A
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Double, Motion)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SC/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Retail cost $275 $280