• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 18.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 480.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 20.4 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 720.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Panasonic ZS30 advantages over Sony QX30

  • Rear display
    Yes vs No
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 300 vs 200 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Thinner
    27 mm vs 57 mm
    Thinner
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Sony QX30 advantages over Panasonic ZS30

  • More telephoto lens reach
    720 mm vs 480 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    10 vs 6 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    12800 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • RAW file ability
    Neither provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Manual focus
    Neither provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Hot shoe
    Neither provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bulb shutter
    Neither provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

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Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Sony HX30V

Panasonic ZS30
Sony HX30V
  • $319
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Slow-motion videos
  • $477
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Manual focus

Compare Panasonic ZS30 vs Sony HX30V

Sony QX30
Sony HX30V
  • $700
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $477
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Rear display
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Sony QX30 vs Sony HX30V

Compared to Panasonic ZS19

Panasonic ZS30
Panasonic ZS19
  • $319
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $300
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Longer exposure

Compare Panasonic ZS30 vs Panasonic ZS19

Sony QX30
Panasonic ZS19
  • $700
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $300
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Rear display
  • Less expensive

Compare Sony QX30 vs Panasonic ZS19

Compared to Panasonic ZS25

Panasonic ZS30
Panasonic ZS25
  • $319
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $470
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Bigger JPEG buffer

Compare Panasonic ZS30 vs Panasonic ZS25

Sony QX30
Panasonic ZS25
  • $700
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $470
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Rear display
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Sony QX30 vs Panasonic ZS25

Compared to Nikon S9500

Panasonic ZS30
Nikon S9500
  • $319
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $470
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Panasonic ZS30 vs Nikon S9500

Sony QX30
Nikon S9500
  • $700
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Longer exposure
  • $470
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Rear display
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Sony QX30 vs Nikon S9500

Compared to Panasonic ZS40

Panasonic ZS30
Panasonic ZS40
  • $319
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • $380
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Panasonic ZS30 vs Panasonic ZS40

Sony QX30
Panasonic ZS40
  • $700
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
  • $380
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Rear display
  • Focus peaking

Compare Sony QX30 vs Panasonic ZS40

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