• 1/2.5 inch 24.7mm2
  • 7.2 megapixels
  • 35.00mm - 105.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 18.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 480.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Sony DSC-S730 advantages over Panasonic ZS30

  • Less expensive
    $130 vs $400 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 1.88 vs 1.26 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Larger lens aperture
    f/2.8 vs f/3.3
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 440 vs 300 shots
    Capture more photos

Panasonic ZS30 advantages over Sony DSC-S730

  • Larger sensor
    1/2.3 inch vs 1/2.5 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • More telephoto lens reach
    480 mm vs 105 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Newer
    11 years vs 16 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • More dots on screen
    920k vs 112k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • More pixels
    18.1 vs 7.2 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Wider angle lens
    24 mm vs 35 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Longer exposure
    30 vs 1/8 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.0 fps vs 0.8 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Higher extended ISO
    6400 vs 1250 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash

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

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Panasonic ZS30

Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Sony DSC-S750

Sony DSC-S730
Sony DSC-S750
  • $104
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup
  • $98
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Manual focus
  • Lighter weight
Panasonic ZS30
Sony DSC-S750
  • $319
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $98
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Pentax E60

Sony DSC-S730
Pentax E60
  • $104
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Fast startup
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $100
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Manual focus
Panasonic ZS30
Pentax E60
  • $319
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Touchscreen
  • $100
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Panasonic DMC-LS85

Sony DSC-S730
Panasonic DMC-LS85
  • $104
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • $120
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Longer stills battery life
Panasonic ZS30
Panasonic DMC-LS85
  • $319
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $120
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Panasonic ZS19

Sony DSC-S730
Panasonic ZS19
  • $104
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels
  • $300
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
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

Sony DSC-S730
Panasonic ZS25
  • $104
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Larger lens aperture
  • $470
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
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 Other Cameras?