• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 600.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 18.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 480.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Olympus SH-50 advantages over Panasonic ZS30

  • Less expensive
    $300 vs $400 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • More telephoto lens reach
    600 mm vs 480 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    17 vs 6 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Panasonic ZS30 advantages over Olympus SH-50

  • 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 42 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    198g vs 269g
    Lighter weight
  • More dots on screen
    920k vs 460k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Longer exposure
    30 vs 15 sec
    Long exposures for night shots

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • 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
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Both provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

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 Olympus SZ-30MR

Olympus SH-50
Olympus SZ-30MR
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
Panasonic ZS30
Olympus SZ-30MR
  • $319
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compared to Olympus SZ-31MR

Olympus SH-50
Olympus SZ-31MR
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More dots on screen
  • Shoots 60p video
Panasonic ZS30
Olympus SZ-31MR
  • $319
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compared to Panasonic ZS19

Olympus SH-50
Panasonic ZS19
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $300
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Thinner
  • Lighter weight
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

Compared to Panasonic ZS25

Olympus SH-50
Panasonic ZS25
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $470
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Thinner
Panasonic ZS30
Panasonic ZS25
  • $319
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $470
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Bigger JPEG buffer

Compared to Olympus SH-1

Olympus SH-50
Olympus SH-1
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • $349
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
Panasonic ZS30
Olympus SH-1
  • $319
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in GPS
  • Thinner
  • $349
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • More telephoto lens reach
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