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Panasonic ZS30

 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30 front
 
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-480mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 198g - 105 x 59 x 28mm
  • Launched January 2013
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-TZ40
  • Superseded the Panasonic ZS25
  • New Model is Panasonic ZS35
  • Read full specs
  • Alternatives
  • Size Comparison
  • FAQ
Portability
92
Imaging
42
Features
48
Overall
44

Panasonic ZS30 overview

Panasonic ZS30 is Panasonic's Small Sensor Superzoom camera originally announced on January of 2013. It has a 18 MegaPixel, CMOS 1/2.3" size sensor with a peak resolution of 4896 x 3672. The camera is referred to as "Lumix DMC-TZ40" in certain countries.

Panasonic launched this camera in order to upgrade the older Panasonic ZS25 (Read Full Comparison) and afterwards launched the more recent Panasonic ZS35 (Read Full Comparison) to upgrade this camera.

The ZS30 places at #71 out of 244 in Small Sensor Superzoom cameras and all round #557 out of 1465 for cameras in our database. You can use our Smart camera filter to see camera listings based on your personal factors.

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Below is a diagram of various criteria used in the scoring system.

Panasonic ZS30 family

The Panasonic ZS30 comes with a history of related cameras. Underneath, you can view all previous and more recent models as well as key specifications.

ModelVisualizeLensResolutionSensor SizeReleased
Panasonic-Lumix-DC-ZS80 front thumbnailPanasonic ZS80
ZS30 vs ZS80
24-720mm
F3.3-6.4
20MP1/2.3"2018
Panasonic-Lumix-DMC-ZS70 front thumbnailPanasonic ZS70
ZS30 vs ZS70
24-720mm
F3.3-6.4
20MP1/2.3"2017
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Panasonic-Lumix-DMC-ZS60 front thumbnailPanasonic ZS60
ZS30 vs ZS60
24-720mm
F3.3-6.4
18MP1/2.3"2016
Panasonic-Lumix-DMC-ZS45 front thumbnailPanasonic ZS45
ZS30 vs ZS45
24-480mm
F3.3-6.4
16MP1/2.3"2015
Panasonic-Lumix-DMC-ZS50 front thumbnailPanasonic ZS50
ZS30 vs ZS50
24-720mm
F3.3-6.4
12MP1/2.3"2015
Panasonic-Lumix-DMC-ZS35 front thumbnailPanasonic ZS35
ZS30 vs ZS35
24-480mm
F3.3-6.4
16MP1/2.3"2014
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Panasonic-Lumix-DMC-ZS40 front thumbnailPanasonic ZS40
ZS30 vs ZS40
24-720mm
F3.3-6.4
18MP1/2.3"2014
Panasonic-Lumix-DMC-ZS30 front thumbnailPanasonic ZS3024-480mm
F3.3-6.4
18MP1/2.3"2013
Panasonic-Lumix-DMC-ZS25 front thumbnailPanasonic ZS25
ZS30 vs ZS25
24-480mm
F3.3-6.4
16MP1/2.3"2013
Panasonic-Lumix-DMC-ZS15 front thumbnailPanasonic ZS15
ZS30 vs ZS15
24-384mm
F3.3-5.9
12MP1/2.3"2012
Panasonic-Lumix-DMC-ZS20 front thumbnailPanasonic ZS20
ZS30 vs ZS20
24-480mm
F3.3-6.4
14MP1/2.3"2012
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Panasonic-Lumix-DMC-ZS8 front thumbnailPanasonic ZS8
ZS30 vs ZS8
24-384mm
F3.3-5.9
14MP1/2.3"2011
Panasonic-Lumix-DMC-ZS7 front thumbnailPanasonic ZS7
ZS30 vs ZS7
25-300mm
F3.3-4.9
12MP1/2.3"2011
Panasonic-Lumix-DMC-ZS10 front thumbnailPanasonic ZS10
ZS30 vs ZS10
24-384mm
F3.3-5.9
14MP1/2.3"2011
Panasonic-Lumix-DMC-ZS5 front thumbnailPanasonic ZS5
ZS30 vs ZS5
25-300mm
F3.3-4.9
12MP1/2.3"2010
Panasonic-Lumix-DMC-ZR3 front thumbnailPanasonic ZR3
ZS30 vs ZR3
25-200mm
F3.3-5.9
14MP1/2.3"2010
Panasonic-Lumix-DMC-ZR1 front thumbnailPanasonic ZR1
ZS30 vs ZR1
25-200mm
F3.3-5.9
12MP1/2.3"2009
Panasonic-Lumix-DMC-ZS3 front thumbnailPanasonic ZS3
ZS30 vs ZS3
25-300mm
F3.3-4.9
10MP1/2.3"2009

Panasonic ZS30 Pros and Cons

Here is a shortlist of pluses and minuses of the Panasonic ZS30 based on aspects that are usually seen as necessary in a camera.

built-in flash
built in image stabilization (Optical)
comes with HDMI support
fairly wide (24mm)
features focus by touch
good min ISO (100)
good resolution (18MP)
great zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
has tracking autofocus
lighter than competitors (198 grams)
screen has good resolution (920 k dot)
screen is a good size (3")
touchscreen
very long reach (480mm)
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
display is not selfie friendly
does not have external microphone jack
does not have headphone jack
does not have Timelapse mode
low battery power (260 shots)
low max shutter speed (1/1,200s)
manual focus not available
max zoom aperture not good (f6.4)
no articulating screen
no external flash support
no phase detect auto focus
no RAW support
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Panasonic ZS30 Sensor specs

The spec of the sensor in the Panasonic ZS30 is 6.17mm x 4.55mm (1/2.3"). The 28 mm² sensor has the ability to resolve 4896 x 3672 pixels with aspect ratios of 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9. The camera includes Image Stabilization (Optical). Optical stabilization is more desirable than digital stabilization as the latter can easily lead to cropping.

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The CMOS sensor boasts 18MP and has a native ISO range of 100 - 6400. Sadly, RAW photos are not supported so you have less margin for error.

The picture below shows the ZS30's sensor size when compared to other common sizes. The ZS30 sensor comes with a crop factor of 5.8 and is showcased in green.

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To get an idea of specific aspect ratios, you should refer to the visual below.

Camera sensor aspect ratios

Panasonic ZS30 dimensions

Panasonic ZS30 weighs about 0.44 lb (198g or 6.98 oz) and the size of the camera is 105mm x 59mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1"). The weight of general Small Sensor Superzoom camera is 387g so the Panasonic ZS30 is lighter compared to its competitors.

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Below is a visual of the Panasonic ZS30 besides a softdrink to help you have a feel for its size.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30 dimensions scale

The top view directly below will highlight the button design on the ZS30.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30 topview buttons dials

Panasonic ZS30 Lens details

The ZS30 houses a fixed lens giving a focal range of 24-480mm making it a 20.0 x zoom which is amazing and could let you zoom right in.

At it's widest 24mm, the lens offers an aperture of f3.3 and that's quite sluggish and not great in low light circumstances and you might find it hard to capture good bokeh. You will also have to up your ISO setting which results in noisy pictures. For the long end, 480mm is brilliant zoom and comes at f6.4 making it fairly sluggish and you may have to use slow shutter speeds.

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Panasonic ZS30 Connectivity

The ZS30 has the following connectivity:

  • USB Yes
  • Wireless Yes
  • HDMI Yes
  • GPS Yes

Cameras that contain NFC or Bluetooth connectivity are able to be used wirelessly by smartphones. You are able to copy photos and usually alter settings without connecting straight with the camera.

Some apps also enable a Liveview and press the shutter whenever you aren't close to the camera. If the camera includes a HDMI out, it can easily be attached to an external screen. A lot of cameras will allow you to charge the battery through the USB socket.

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Panasonic ZS30 Video details

The highest video resolution in the Panasonic ZS30 is 1920 x 1080 and it can save in MPEG-4 and AVCHD format. 1080p resolution gives a great balance between quality versus file size but FULL HD won't give you much room to downsample. The body doesn't include a mic or headphone jack so you have zero control over your sound. It is probably a better idea to get another camera in case you need better sound in your video clips.

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Panasonic ZS30 Weather Sealing

There is no weather proofing on the Panasonic ZS30 so you have to be cautious in rainy or dusty situations.

Panasonic ZS30 Display and Viewfinder

The Panasonic ZS30 has a 3" fixed display screen with a resolution of 920k dots.

Moreover the display screen is touch friendly so you can easily change focus point as well as adjust settings using your fingertips.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30 screen and viewfinder Fujifilm accuses Eastman Kodak of patent violation in new lawsuit

The View Finder specifications regarding Panasonic ZS30 are the following:

  • ViewFinder None

In those bright outdoor situations that make the camera screens washed out and challenging to view, viewfinders are particularly useful.

Panasonic ZS30 Shutter details

Panasonic ZS30 has the ability to shoot continuously at 10.0 frames per second. The highest shutter speed is 1/1200s.

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Panasonic ZS30 Flash and Hot shoe details

Panasonic ZS30 includes just inbuilt flash lacking external flash ability.

Panasonic ZS30 Autofocusing details

Panasonic ZS30 includes only Contrast Based Auto Focus and doesn't have Phase Detect Auto Focus. Phase Detection autofocusing is a lot quicker and accurate compared to Contrast Based autofocusing.

The Sensor has 23 focus points to pick from. Panasonic ZS30 has touch to focus. You can use your fingers in order to shift focus points. It also features Tracking Auto Focus for objects on the move. Panasonic ZS30 lacks manual focusing. Manual focusing is good during low light occasions or you want more precise focusing control.

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Panasonic ZS30 Battery life

The battery power on the Panasonic ZS30 is fashioned to last for 260 photographs based on the CIPA specifications making it lesser as compared to its competitors. The typical Small Sensor Superzoom camera battery life is 316. Fujifilm HS35EXR offers the highest (600) battery life within this group of cameras.

Here is a collection of Small Sensor Superzoom cameras that come with the strongest battery life:

Panasonic ZS30 for various styles of photography

The following bar chart shows a overview of the Panasonic ZS30 for various styles of photography. To find out more, visit the specific paragraph below.

Panasonic ZS30 Portrait photography information

The Panasonic ZS30 has a points total of 33 which is low, meaning that it is not really acceptable to use for portraits. Photographing portrait photos leans heavily to sensor specs, support for RAW photos and option to work with external lighting.

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resolution is good (18MP)
manual focus not available
no external flash support
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files

Panasonic ZS30 Street photography details

Getting a above average points tally of 66, the Panasonic ZS30 is a very decent fit to buy for street photography. A decent street photography camera features a perfect balance of picture quality and portability.

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built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports touch to focus
lighter than competitors in class (198 grams)
no articulating screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support

Panasonic ZS30 Sports photography info

A modest sports photography points tally of 46 suggests the Panasonic ZS30 is somewhat suited for shooting sports. A camera needs good tracking and continuous shooting for sports photography.

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great zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (18 megapixels)
features tracking autofocus
low max shutter speed (1/1,200s)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
bad battery power (260 shots)
does not have phase detect auto focus

Panasonic ZS30 Travel photography information

Size is extremely important in picking a camera for travel. In general, the Panasonic ZS30 gets a very good 69 for a travel camera which makes it a very decent option to take on your trips.

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lighter than others in class (198 grams)
features focus via touch
good resolution (18 megapixels)
has built in flash
quite wide (24mm)
very long zoom (480mm)
missing Time Lapse recording
not so great battery life (260 shots)
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)

Panasonic ZS30 as a Landscape photography camera

In case you're looking to purchase a camera for landscape photographs, the biggest aspect is going to be image quality. The Panasonic ZS30 at it's low rating of 44 for a landscape camera is not really acceptable within the current market.

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quite wide (24mm)
good sized screen (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (18 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
low battery pack (260 CIPA)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording

Panasonic ZS30 as a Vlogging camera

A vlogging camera preferably should come with a moving display screen, microphone port and ideally image stabilization. Taking everything into account, the Panasonic ZS30 is not really acceptable for vlogging as it comes to a low rating of 35.

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rather wide (24mm)
touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competitors (198g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
missing external mic jack

Panasonic ZS30 Alternatives

If you are in the market for alternatives to the ZS30, here is a list of the highest rated cameras which fall under the class of Small Sensor Superzoom.

The line graph down below shows you a bird's eye view of the ZS30 versus it's top rated rivals shown above.

Here are a handful of other cameras you might have a look at as alternate options. To check out a detailed comparison, simply click on the "compare" link.

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Specifications

General Information
Manufacturer
Panasonic
Model type
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30
Also referred to as
Lumix DMC-TZ40
Type
Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched
2013-01-07
Body design
Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type
CMOS
Sensor size
1/2.3"
Sensor measurements
6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area
28.1mm²
Sensor resolution
18 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio
1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution
4896 x 3672
RAW images
Highest native ISO
6400
Minimum native ISO
100
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points
23
Lens
Lens mount type
fixed lens
Lens zoom range
24-480mm (20.0x)
Highest aperture
f/3.3-6.4
Macro focusing range
3cm
Focal length multiplier
5.8
Screen
Range of display
Fixed Type
Display diagonal
3"
Resolution of display
920k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder
None
DXO scores
DXO All around rating
not tested
DXO Color Depth rating
not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating
not tested
DXO Low light rating
not tested
Features
Lowest shutter speed
15s
Highest shutter speed
1/1200s
Continuous shooting speed
10.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation
Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance
6.40 m
Flash options
Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions
1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (220 fps)
Highest video resolution
1920x1080
Video data format
MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless
Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB
USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS
BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight
198g (0.44 lbs)
Physical dimensions
105 x 59 x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1")
Other
Battery life
260 photos
Battery format
Battery Pack
Self timer
Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media
SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots
Single
Retail pricing
$250