Leica X2 vs Panasonic ZS30

Cameras
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Leica X2 vs Panasonic ZS30

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APS-C 369.7mm²
16.2 megapixels
36.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Leica X2 Review.

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

Go in depth with our full Panasonic ZS30 Review.

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Differences

Leica X2 advantages over Panasonic ZS30

Larger sensor
APS-C vs 1/2.3 inch
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 4.79 vs 1.26 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Larger lens aperture
f/2.8 vs f/3.3
Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
RAW file ability
Yes vs No
Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

450 vs 300 shots
Capture more photos
Manual focus
Yes vs No
AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
Hot shoe
Hot shoe vs None
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Higher extended ISO
12500 vs 6400 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Panasonic ZS30 advantages over Leica X2

Less expensive
$400 vs $1995 (MSRP)
Save money for lenses or accessories
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
More telephoto lens reach
480 mm vs 36 mm
Capture objects farther away
Built-in GPS
GPS vs None
Geotag your photos
Thinner
27 mm vs 51 mm
Thinner
Lighter weight
198g vs 345g
Lighter weight
More dots on screen
920k vs 230k dots
Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
Shoots 1080p video
Yes vs No
You'll want this if you shoot video
Shoots 60p video
Yes vs No
A faster framerate can give you more editing options
Wider angle lens
24 mm vs 36 mm
Capture more of the scene
Faster JPEG shooting
10.0 fps vs 5.0 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos

Similarities

Common Strengths

Internal flash
Both provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
HDMI out
Both provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

Common Weaknesses

Focus peaking
Neither provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Tilt-swivel screen
Neither provide
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
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
Built-in Bluetooth
Neither provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
On-sensor phase detect
Neither provide
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
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
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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Buy the Leica X2

Leica X2

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Panasonic ZS30

Panasonic ZS30

Review Excerpt

We haven’t reviewed the Leica X2.
Read our Leica X2 Preview

We haven’t finished our review of the Panasonic ZS30, but we have extensive sample photos and a hands-on report.
See our Panasonic ZS30 First Shots

The Competition

Compared to Sigma DP1 Merrill

Leica X2

Sigma DP1 Merrill

$1499
APS-C

More telephoto lens reach
Longer stills battery life

$849
APS-C

Less expensive
More dots on screen

Compare Leica X2 vs Sigma DP1 Merrill

Panasonic ZS30

Sigma DP1 Merrill

$319
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$849
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic ZS30 vs Sigma DP1 Merrill

Compared to Panasonic ZS19

Leica X2

Panasonic ZS19

$1499
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$300
1/2.33 inch

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Leica X2 vs 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

Compared to Panasonic ZS25

Leica X2

Panasonic ZS25

$1499
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$350
1/2.33 inch

In-Camera Image Stabilization
In-camera panoramas

Compare Leica X2 vs Panasonic ZS25

Panasonic ZS30

Panasonic ZS25

$319
1/2.3 inch

Touchscreen
Built-in Wi-Fi

$350
1/2.33 inch

In-camera panoramas
Bigger JPEG buffer

Compare Panasonic ZS30 vs Panasonic ZS25

Compared to Nikon Coolpix A

Leica X2

Nikon Coolpix A

$1499
APS-C

More telephoto lens reach
Longer stills battery life

$1097
APS-C

Less expensive
Shoots 24p video

Compare Leica X2 vs Nikon Coolpix A

Panasonic ZS30

Nikon Coolpix A

$319
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$1097
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic ZS30 vs Nikon Coolpix A

Compared to Leica X-E (Typ 102)

Leica X2

Leica X-E (Typ 102)

$1499
APS-C

$1534
APS-C

Compare Leica X2 vs Leica X-E (Typ 102)

Panasonic ZS30

Leica X-E (Typ 102)

$319
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$1534
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic ZS30 vs Leica X-E (Typ 102)

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