• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 18.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 480.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 448.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Panasonic ZS30 advantages over Canon SX170

  • 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
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Thinner
    27 mm vs 43 mm
    Thinner
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • More dots on screen
    920k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Wider angle lens
    24 mm vs 28 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Longer exposure
    30 vs 15 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 1600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Canon SX170 advantages over Panasonic ZS30

  • Less expensive
    $180 vs $400 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 6 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/3200 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • 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
  • 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 Canon SX160

Panasonic ZS30
Canon SX160
  • $319
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $146
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Panasonic ZS30 vs Canon SX160

Canon SX170
Canon SX160
  • $180
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • $146
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • HDMI out

Compare Canon SX170 vs Canon SX160

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

Canon SX170
Panasonic ZS19
  • $180
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Manual focus
  • $300
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Thinner

Compare Canon SX170 vs Panasonic ZS19

Compared to Panasonic ZS25

Panasonic ZS30
Panasonic ZS25
  • $319
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $350
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Bigger JPEG buffer

Compare Panasonic ZS30 vs Panasonic ZS25

Canon SX170
Panasonic ZS25
  • $180
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Manual focus
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
  • $350
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Thinner

Compare Canon SX170 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

Canon SX170
Nikon S9500
  • $180
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $470
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Canon SX170 vs Nikon S9500

Compared to Nikon L620

Panasonic ZS30
Nikon L620
  • $319
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $127
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Panasonic ZS30 vs Nikon L620

Canon SX170
Nikon L620
  • $180
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $127
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Canon SX170 vs Nikon L620

Compare Other Cameras?