• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 18.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 480.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 18.2 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 720.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Panasonic ZS30 advantages over Sony WX500

  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Sony WX500 advantages over Panasonic ZS30

  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • More telephoto lens reach
    720 mm vs 480 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 390 vs 300 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    10 vs 6 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    12800 vs 6400 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
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • 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
  • 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

User reviews

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  • Sony WX500 (Black)
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Review Excerpt

The Competition

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

Sony WX500
Panasonic ZS19
  • $348
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $300
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Longer exposure

Compare Sony WX500 vs Panasonic ZS19

Compared to Panasonic ZS25

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

Compare Panasonic ZS30 vs Panasonic ZS25

Sony WX500
Panasonic ZS25
  • $348
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $470
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Bigger JPEG buffer

Compare Sony WX500 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

Sony WX500
Nikon S9500
  • $348
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $470
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in GPS
  • Slow-motion videos

Compare Sony WX500 vs Nikon S9500

Compared to Sony HX90V

Panasonic ZS30
Sony HX90V
  • $319
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Slow-motion videos
  • $448
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Panasonic ZS30 vs Sony HX90V

Sony WX500
Sony HX90V
  • $348
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • $448
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Sony WX500 vs Sony HX90V

Compared to Sony HX80

Panasonic ZS30
Sony HX80
  • $319
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Built-in GPS
  • $368
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Panasonic ZS30 vs Sony HX80

Sony WX500
Sony HX80
  • $348
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • $368
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Sony WX500 vs Sony HX80

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