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

Buy From

Differences

Panasonic ZS30 advantages over Sony HX50V

  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Thinner
    27 mm vs 38 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    198g vs 272g
    Lighter weight
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Sony HX50V advantages over Panasonic ZS30

  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • More telephoto lens reach
    720 mm vs 480 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 400 vs 300 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    10 vs 6 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • 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
  • Built-in GPS
    Both provide
    Geotag your photos
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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

Buy the Panasonic ZS30
Panasonic ZS30

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony HX50V
Sony HX50V

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 HX50V
Panasonic ZS19
  • $368
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $300
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Sony HX50V 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

Sony HX50V
Panasonic ZS25
  • $368
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $350
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Thinner
  • Lighter weight

Compare Sony HX50V 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 HX50V
Nikon S9500
  • $368
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $470
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Lighter weight

Compare Sony HX50V vs Nikon S9500

Compared to Panasonic ZS40

Panasonic ZS30
Panasonic ZS40
  • $319
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • $380
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Panasonic ZS30 vs Panasonic ZS40

Sony HX50V
Panasonic ZS40
  • $368
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Hot shoe
  • $380
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Sony HX50V vs Panasonic ZS40

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 HX50V
Sony HX90V
  • $368
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Hot shoe
  • Faster shutter
  • $448
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Sony HX50V vs Sony HX90V

Compare Other Cameras?