Sony DSLR-A350 vs Panasonic ZS30

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Sony DSLR-A350 vs Panasonic ZS30

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APS-C 369.7mm²
14.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 3200

Go in depth with our full Sony DSLR-A350 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the DSLR-A350.

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

Sony DSLR-A350 advantages over Panasonic ZS30

Larger sensor
APS-C vs 1/2.3 inch
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Eye-level viewfinder
Eye-level vs Rear display only
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
Bigger pixels
~ 5.16 vs 1.26 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Tiltable Screen
Tiltable vs Fixed
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
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

730 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
Bulb shutter
Bulb vs No bulb
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
Faster shutter
1/4000 vs 1/2000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

Panasonic ZS30 advantages over Sony DSLR-A350

Less expensive
$400 vs $900 (MSRP)
Save money for lenses or accessories
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
Built-in GPS
GPS vs None
Geotag your photos
Thinner
27 mm vs 74 mm
Thinner
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
Lighter weight
198g vs 582g
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
More pixels
18.1 vs 14.2 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Shoots 60p video
Yes vs No
A faster framerate can give you more editing options
Faster JPEG shooting
10.0 fps vs 2.4 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
6 vs 3 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos
Higher extended ISO
6400 vs 3200 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

Rear display
Both provide
Review photos on the back of the camera
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
In-camera panoramas
Neither provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
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
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Neither provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

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Panasonic ZS30

Review Excerpt

Read our Sony DSLR-A350 Full Review

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 Sony DSLR-A200

Sony DSLR-A350

Sony DSLR-A200

$900
APS-C

Tiltable Screen
Fast startup

$470
APS-C

Less expensive
Bigger pixels

Compare Sony DSLR-A350 vs Sony DSLR-A200

Panasonic ZS30

Sony DSLR-A200

$319
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
Touchscreen

$470
APS-C

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Panasonic ZS30 vs Sony DSLR-A200

Compared to Sony DSLR-A300

Sony DSLR-A350

Sony DSLR-A300

$900
APS-C

Higher effective ISO
More pixels

$563
APS-C

Bigger pixels
Faster JPEG shooting

Compare Sony DSLR-A350 vs Sony DSLR-A300

Panasonic ZS30

Sony DSLR-A300

$319
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
Touchscreen

$563
APS-C

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Panasonic ZS30 vs Sony DSLR-A300

Compared to Nikon D5000

Sony DSLR-A350

Nikon D5000

$900
APS-C

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Longer stills battery life

$850
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

Compare Sony DSLR-A350 vs Nikon D5000

Panasonic ZS30

Nikon D5000

$319
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$850
APS-C

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Panasonic ZS30 vs Nikon D5000

Compared to Panasonic ZS19

Sony DSLR-A350

Panasonic ZS19

$900
APS-C

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

$300
1/2.33 inch

Less expensive
Touchscreen

Compare Sony DSLR-A350 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

Sony DSLR-A350

Panasonic ZS25

$900
APS-C

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

$350
1/2.33 inch

In-camera panoramas
Thinner

Compare Sony DSLR-A350 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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