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

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Differences

Panasonic ZS30 advantages over Panasonic ZS50

  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • More pixels
    18.1 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos

Panasonic ZS50 advantages over Panasonic ZS30

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 1.54 vs 1.26 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • More telephoto lens reach
    720 mm vs 480 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 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
  • 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
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • 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
  • 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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Buy the Panasonic ZS50

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
Panasonic ZS50
Panasonic ZS19
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Slower slow-motion
  • $300
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • More pixels

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
Panasonic ZS50
Panasonic ZS25
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $470
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • More pixels
  • Bigger JPEG buffer

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
Panasonic ZS50
Nikon S9500
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $470
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Built-in GPS

Compared to Panasonic ZS40

Panasonic ZS30
Panasonic ZS40
  • $319
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • $380
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Panasonic ZS50
Panasonic ZS40
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $380
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in GPS
  • More pixels

Compared to Canon SX700 HS

Panasonic ZS30
Canon SX700 HS
  • $319
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Built-in GPS
  • $329
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Manual focus
Panasonic ZS50
Canon SX700 HS
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $329
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More pixels
  • Faster shutter
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