• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 18.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 480.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/3 inch 17.3mm2
  • 13.2 megapixels
  • 30.00mm - 90.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Panasonic ZS30 advantages over Nikon S02

  • Larger sensor
    1/2.3 inch vs 1/3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • More telephoto lens reach
    480 mm vs 90 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 300 vs 210 shots
    Capture more photos
  • More dots on screen
    920k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • More pixels
    18.1 vs 13.2 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Wider angle lens
    24 mm vs 30 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Longer exposure
    30 vs 1 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Higher extended ISO
    6400 vs 1600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Nikon S02 advantages over Panasonic ZS30

  • Less expensive
    $180 vs $400 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Thinner
    17 mm vs 27 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    100g vs 198g
    Lighter weight

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Touchscreen
    Both provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • 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
  • 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 Nikon S3000

Panasonic ZS30
Nikon S3000
  • $319
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Touchscreen
  • $150
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic ZS30 vs Nikon S3000

Nikon S02
Nikon S3000
  • $180
  • 1/3 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • HDMI out
  • $150
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor

Compare Nikon S02 vs Nikon S3000

Compared to Nikon S01

Panasonic ZS30
Nikon S01
  • $319
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $200
  • 1/2.9 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner

Compare Panasonic ZS30 vs Nikon S01

Nikon S02
Nikon S01
  • $180
  • 1/3 inch
  • HDMI out
  • Shoots 1080p video
  • $200
  • 1/2.9 inch
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Nikon S02 vs Nikon S01

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

Nikon S02
Panasonic ZS19
  • $180
  • 1/3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner
  • $300
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon S02 vs Panasonic ZS19

Compared to 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

Nikon S02
Panasonic ZS25
  • $180
  • 1/3 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Thinner
  • $350
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon S02 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

Nikon S02
Nikon S9500
  • $180
  • 1/3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
  • $470
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon S02 vs Nikon S9500

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