• 1/2.5 inch 24.7mm2
  • 8.1 megapixels
  • 35.00mm - 105.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 18.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 480.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Nikon S520 advantages over Panasonic ZS30

  • Less expensive
    $230 vs $400 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 1.77 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
  • Lighter weight
    115g vs 198g
    Lighter weight

Panasonic ZS30 advantages over Nikon S520

  • Larger sensor
    1/2.3 inch vs 1/2.5 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • 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 105 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 300 vs 180 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Newer
    12 years vs 17 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • More dots on screen
    920k vs 154k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • More pixels
    18.1 vs 8.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Wider angle lens
    24 mm vs 35 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Higher extended ISO
    6400 vs 2000 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
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash

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
  • 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

User reviews

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Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Samsung NV30

Nikon S520
Samsung NV30
  • $162
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Less expensive
  • $279
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • More dots on screen
  • Higher extended ISO

Compare Nikon S520 vs Samsung NV30

Panasonic ZS30
Samsung NV30
  • $319
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Touchscreen
  • $279
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic ZS30 vs Samsung NV30

Compared to Sony DSC-W120

Nikon S520
Sony DSC-W120
  • $162
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • More dots on screen
  • $200
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Nikon S520 vs Sony DSC-W120

Panasonic ZS30
Sony DSC-W120
  • $319
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Touchscreen
  • $200
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Panasonic ZS30 vs Sony DSC-W120

Compared to Canon SD1200 IS

Nikon S520
Canon SD1200 IS
  • $162
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • $230
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Nikon S520 vs Canon SD1200 IS

Panasonic ZS30
Canon SD1200 IS
  • $319
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $230
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Panasonic ZS30 vs Canon SD1200 IS

Compared to Panasonic ZS19

Nikon S520
Panasonic ZS19
  • $162
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels
  • $300
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Touchscreen

Compare Nikon S520 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

Nikon S520
Panasonic ZS25
  • $162
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Larger lens aperture
  • $350
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Nikon S520 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

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