• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 18.2 megapixels
  • 26.00mm - 130.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1 inch 116.2mm2
  • 20.1 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 250.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Sony TX30 advantages over Panasonic ZS100

  • Waterproof
    Yes vs No
    Take photos underwater without destroying your camera!
  • Fast startup
    ~1.10 vs 2.3 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Thinner
    15 mm vs 44 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    141g vs 309g
    Lighter weight

Panasonic ZS100 advantages over Sony TX30

  • Larger sensor
    1 inch 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
    ~ 2.41 vs 1.26 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Larger lens aperture
    f/2.8 vs f/3.5
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • More telephoto lens reach
    250 mm vs 130 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 300 vs 250 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • 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
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 10 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/1600 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 12800 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Focus peaking
    Both provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Touchscreen
    Both provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Both provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • 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
  • Hot shoe
    Neither provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Panasonic ZS100

Review Excerpt

  • Good image and video quality for a compact waterproof camera; Stylish, pocketable design; Improved ruggedness; Speedy performance including 10 fps continuous shooting at full resolution.

  • Touchscreen unusable and unviewable while submerged; Slim, slick design makes it unwieldy to hold (and difficult to hang onto!) underwater; Poor battery life.

  • Compact camera body; versatile 10x zoom lens; relatively good high ISO performance; fast autofocus; many good 4K video and photo features.

  • Soft lens at longer focal lengths; no tilting display; small electronic viewfinder; slippery finish on the camera body.

The Competition

Compared to Sony DSC-TX10

Sony TX30
Sony DSC-TX10
  • $219
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Touchscreen
  • $330
  • 1/2.3 inch
Panasonic ZS100
Sony DSC-TX10
  • $498
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $330
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Fast startup

Compared to Sony DSC-TX100V

Sony TX30
Sony DSC-TX100V
  • $219
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Focus peaking
  • $282
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Shoots 1080p video
  • Shoots 60p video
Panasonic ZS100
Sony DSC-TX100V
  • $498
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $282
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Thinner
  • Lighter weight

Compared to Sony TX200V

Sony TX30
Sony TX200V
  • $219
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $363
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Shoots 1080p video
  • Shoots 60p video
Panasonic ZS100
Sony TX200V
  • $498
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $363
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Fast startup

Compared to Sony RX100 VI

Sony TX30
Sony RX100 VI
  • $219
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Fast startup
  • $949
  • 1 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Panasonic ZS100
Sony RX100 VI
  • $498
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $949
  • 1 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Tiltable Screen

Compared to Sony RX100 VII

Sony TX30
Sony RX100 VII
  • $219
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Fast startup
  • $1298
  • 1 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Panasonic ZS100
Sony RX100 VII
  • $498
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $1298
  • 1 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Tiltable Screen
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