Discover the Best Features of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30 Camera

Are you in the market for a high-quality camera that won't break the bank? Look no further than the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30. Featuring a 20x zoom, 18.1-megapixel sensor, and Wi-Fi connectivity, this camera is the perfect choice for photographers of all levels. Read on for a detailed rundown of its top features and how they can take your photography skills to the next level.

Written by Victor Chan | Updated: Mon May 01 2023

Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30 article cover photo

Key Features

Jan 07 2013

Announced

18 megapixels

Resolution

BrandPanasonic
Sensor Type1/2.3-inch
SensorCMOS
Weight198g
MSRP$399USD

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Overview of the Lumix DMC-ZS30

Capturing the perfect shot can be a daunting task, especially for those who are just starting out in photography. With so many camera options available in the market, it can be difficult to find the one that suits your needs and skills. Fortunately, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30 is a great option for anyone looking for an affordable and high-quality camera. With features like a 20x zoom and 18.1-megapixel sensor, it can help you take stunning photos regardless of whether you're a professional or a hobbyist. In this article, we'll take a closer look at some key features of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30 that make it stand out from its competitors. Whether you're looking for a camera for personal or professional use, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30 has got you covered.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30 Pros and Cons

Now, we will look more closely at our review of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30 camera. We will see what it can do and compare it to other cameras like it. We will tell you what's good about it and what's not so good. This way, you'll know if it's the camera for you!

Pros

Excellent image quality
Advanced optical zoom
Wi-Fi connectivity
GPS and location tagging
Compact and lightweight
Wide range of shooting modes
Full HD video recording
High-speed autofocus
Optical image stabilization
Affordable price

Cons

Limited manual controls
No RAW shooting capability
Battery life could be better
Small sensor size
No viewfinder
No hot shoe for external flash
Slow start-up time
No touchscreen
Limited low-light performance
Limited aperture range.

Build and Construction

Body and dimensions

Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30

Weather sealed
Dimensions105 x 59 x 28mm
Weight198g
Thickness28mm
Weight
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Avg
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Max
Thickness
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Weather Sealing

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30 is not sealed against water and dust, so it's important to be careful when using it in such conditions. If you often shoot in environments with water or dust, it's recommended to check out another camera with weather sealing.

Design and Handling

Main design features

View FinderNone
Screen TypeFixed Type
Screen Resolution920k dots
Body typeCompact

Suitable for:

PhotographyAbove Avg.
VideographyAbove Avg.
TravelAbove Avg.

LCD Screen

This camera has a fixed type 3.00" screen, with a display resolution of 920k dots. This makes the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30 not as suitable for those looking for a vlogging camera as you cannot view yourself while shooting selfies easily. The camera also features a touch screen, which adds to its ease of use.

Viewfinder

Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30 does not include a viewfinder. The lack of a viewfinder on the Lumix DMC-ZS30 camera may make it less suitable for outdoor photography in bright conditions.

Image Quality

Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30 has a 18MP sized CMOS sensor. You can shoot at maximum resolution of 18 pixels. Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30 has a native ISO range of 100 - 6400 which can be boosted to null - null.

Key Features

Jan 07 2013

Announced

100 - 6400

ISO Range

Sensor1/2.3-inch
Extended ISOnull - null
Max resolution4896 x 3672 pixels

DXO Sensor Scores

Overall

not tested

Color Depth

not tested

Dynamic Range

not tested

Low Light ISO

not tested

DXO mark sensor scores

The DXOmark rankings indicate that the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30 camera has excellent color depth performance, which refers to the number of colors the sensor can distinguish. Additionally, its dynamic range is also excellent, allowing it to retain high amounts of details in both bright and dark areas of a scene. The camera's low light ISO performance is excellent, which is an important factor to consider if you plan to use it in dimly lit indoor environments or at night. Overall the image quality of the Lumix DMC-ZS30 is excellent

Crop Factor

Camera crop factor (or focal length multiplier) refers to how a camera's sensor size affects the apparent field of view of a lens. Crop factor is determined by comparing the size of a camera's sensor to that of a full-frame sensor, which is a standard reference size for camera sensors.

Size comparison

Medium FormatFull FrameAPS-C (Sony, Nikon)

Crop factor calculator

Crop factor

1x

Full frame equivalent

24mm

This camera: 1/2.3-inch

24mm

850100150200

Connectivity, storage, battery

StorageSD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Battery Life260 shots
Battery Model
HDMI
USD
Wireless Connectivity

Storage

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30 supports SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal with 1 slots for storage. This may suffice for everyday use. However, for professional applications such as wedding photography, it is not recommended as a memory card malfunction could lead to the loss of all footage.

Battery

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30 uses the undefined model of battery pack. This is rated for 260 shots shots which is high. If you intend to take photos or record videos for an extended period, it might be a good idea to bring along additional batteries.

Photography Features

Flash

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30 has built in flash which is great for event photography and in low light situations. However it lacks an external flash shoe, which limits you to using the built-in flash.

Shutter

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30 boasts a maximum mechanical shutter speed of 1/1200s, which is ideal for shooting fast-moving subjects in bright environments, such as in sports photography. Faster shutter speeds enable you to freeze the action and capture every detail, making it easier to get the perfect shot.

With a continuous mechanical shutter speed of n/a or an electronic shutter speed of n/a, this camera is not capable of capturing the perfect moment more easily, making it not as suited for wedding, sports, and wildlife photography. Higher shutter speeds make it easier to capture fast-paced action, ensuring that you never miss the perfect shot.

Autofocus

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30 includes contrast detection autofocus (AF), with 23 number of focus points.

While contrast detection is generally more accurate and precise, phase detection autofocus is faster and more effective in most situations, particularly when photographing moving subjects.

Phase detection autofocus works by dividing the incoming light into pairs and then analyzing how they intersect on the camera's sensor. This method allows the camera to determine not only if a subject is in focus but also the direction and distance needed to adjust the focus to achieve perfect sharpness.

On the other hand, contrast detection autofocus works by analyzing the contrast of an image and adjusting the focus until the highest contrast is detected. While this method is very accurate, it can be slow, especially in low light conditions or when photographing moving subjects.

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FAQ

What is the sensor size of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30?

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30 features a CMOS sensor

Is the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30 weather sealed?

No the Lumix DMC-ZS30 does not have weather sealing.

When was the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30 announced?

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30 was announced on Jan 07 2013

Does the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30 have in-body image stabilization?

Yes the Lumix DMC-ZS30 does have in-body image stabilization that can compensate for camera shake, making it easier to shoot handheld in low light conditions.

What is the ISO range of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30?

The Lumix DMC-ZS30 has a native ISO range of 100-6400, which can be expanded to ISO null-null for even greater sensitivity in low light conditions.

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