• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 18.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 480.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600

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Differences

Panasonic ZS30 advantages over Olympus E-M10 II

  • Slower slow-motion
    240 fps vs 120 fps
    Supports slower slow-mo
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Thinner
    27 mm vs 46 mm
    Thinner
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.0 fps vs 8.9 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)

Olympus E-M10 II advantages over Panasonic ZS30

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    4/3 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
    ~ 3.75 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
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    28 vs 6 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 6400 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
  • Touchscreen
    Both provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • 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
  • Slow-motion videos
    Both provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • 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

User reviews

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Your purchases support this site

Buy the Panasonic ZS30

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Olympus E-M10 II

Review Excerpt

  • Excellent value for the money; Professional-grade ergonomics; Incredibly good image quality for its class; Solid performance specs across the board; Loaded with features.

  • Kit lens may not be quite as sharp as previous kit lens from this line; Below average battery life; Somewhat confusing menu systems.

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
Olympus E-M10 II
Panasonic ZS19
  • $474
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $300
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Thinner

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
Olympus E-M10 II
Panasonic ZS25
  • $474
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $470
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Thinner

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
Olympus E-M10 II
Nikon S9500
  • $474
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $470
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • In-camera panoramas

Compared to Olympus E-M10

Panasonic ZS30
Olympus E-M10
  • $319
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Built-in GPS
  • $399
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Olympus E-M10 II
Olympus E-M10
  • $474
  • 4/3
  • Fast startup
  • Shoots 24p video
  • $399
  • 4/3

Compared to Panasonic GX85

Panasonic ZS30
Panasonic GX85
  • $319
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in GPS
  • Thinner
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Olympus E-M10 II
Panasonic GX85
  • $474
  • 4/3
  • Higher effective ISO
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Shoot 4K video
  • In-camera panoramas
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