Panasonic LUMIX DMC ZS30 Review | 108 Data compared

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30 is a feature-packed compact travel zoom camera that stands out for its high performance and robust feature set, making it highly suitable for both advanced and casual users. Among its primary strengths are a versatile 20x zoom lens, a 3-inch touchscreen, full HD 1080/60p video capture, and robust high-speed burst shooting capabilities up to 10fps at full resolution. It features an upgraded GPS system with GLONASS support for fast, accurate location tracking, and improved Wi-Fi connectivity. Android users benefit from seamless NFC tap-to-connect functionality for remote camera control and quick image transfers, while iOS users can access similar sharing functions via standard Wi-Fi setups. However, the camera does suffer from notable design and image quality limitations. A major drawback for advanced photographers is the complete lack of a raw image capture option. Furthermore, despite an upgrade to an 18-megapixel sensor, images viewed at full size display visible noise, softness, and artifacts even at the lowest ISO settings. Ergonomically, the newly introduced physical power and Wi-Fi buttons are poorly placed and overly sensitive, leading to frequent accidental...

The PCMag review highlights the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30 as a well-built, pocketable travel camera featuring a versatile 20x (24-480mm) optical zoom, speedy autofocus, and a sharp 3-inch touchscreen. It boasts functional Wi-Fi/NFC for pairing, built-in GPS, and records high-quality 1080p60 video, with quick shooting capabilities. However, the 18-megapixel sensor and lens suffer from lackluster sharpness away from the center, along with disappointing high ISO performance that shows noise at lower levels. Other drawbacks include a limited burst mode buffer and the lack of an external battery charger. The review concludes that at $399.99, it faces tough competition from cheaper, better-performing alternatives.

The Panasonic Lumix TZ40 (known as the ZS30 in North America) is a highly capable travel zoom camera that builds significantly on its predecessor with integrated wireless and location-based technologies. The camera features an upgraded 18-megapixel sensor and retains a versatile 20x optical zoom lens (24-480mm equivalent), bolstered by a greatly improved five-axis optical image stabilisation system that minimises horizontal jitter during handheld filming. Key advantages of this model include its 3-inch, high-resolution (920k-dot) touchscreen, which simplifies selective focusing and tracking, and a built-in GPS/GLONASS system complete with a landmark database and global map display. Furthermore, its inclusion of Wi-Fi with Near Field Communication (NFC) allows for effortless smartphone pairing, enabling fast image sharing and robust remote camera control. Despite these advanced features, the review highlights several distinct drawbacks. The decision to pack 18 megapixels onto a tiny 1/2.33-inch sensor raises concerns about image noise, especially when compared to rivals like Canon that stuck with a more noise-conscious 12-megapixel setup. The user experience suffers from frustrating inconsistencies; the interface relies heavily on traditional button layouts, and the touch functionality layout...

The CreativePro Network review highlights the Panasonic DMC-ZS30 (TZ40) as a pocket-sized, travel-friendly compact camera equipped with manual controls and a 20x optical zoom lens. The review outlines major pros for this model, specifically praising its industry-leading consumer electronics integration, which delivers the smoothest and quietest video recording among its 2013 competitors. Additionally, it offers exceptional WiFi connectivity and advanced smart features, distinguishing itself as the only camera in its class capable of utilizing a smartphone or tablet as a remote viewfinder and controller. Users can seamlessly change exposure settings, operate the zoom, and capture stills while recording video simultaneously. Conversely, the review notes several significant cons that prevent it from being the absolute frontrunner for pure photography. The camera completely lacks RAW or RAW+JPEG file support, meaning it cannot maximize raw digital data capture like some rivals. Its physical handling is another drawback, as the buttons and dials are described as the least intuitive and a bit cumbersome compared to alternative digital cameras. Furthermore, its manual shooting interface features a non-WYSIWYG display where the LCD monitor brightness varies from...

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30 is a sturdily built, pocket-sized superzoom camera featuring an ambitious 24-480mm (20x) zoom lens with a variable f/3.3-6.4 aperture. It is equipped with a highly responsive, sharp 3-inch touch-screen display that nicely supplements its physical controls, and boasts robust wireless capabilities including built-in GPS and Wi-Fi with NFC for seamless smartphone photo transfers and remote shooting. Performance is snappy overall, delivering a fast 1.5-second startup time, minimal wide-angle shutter lag, and quick autofocus alongside a full-resolution 10fps burst mode option. Video recording serves as another notable highlight, producing clean, colorful 1080p60 AVCHD footage accompanied by silent lens zooming and stereo audio recording.

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30 is a sturdily built, pocketable superzoom camera featuring an ambitious 20x (24-480mm equivalent) zoom lens and robust connectivity features like integrated Wi-Fi, NFC, and GPS. It provides a snappy performance with a 1.5-second startup time, an impressive 0.1-second wide-angle shutter lag, and capable 1080p60 AVCHD video recording that captures smooth, sharp footage with stereo audio. Users will appreciate the incredibly sharp 3-inch, 920k-dot rear touch screen, which supplements physical controls by allowing touch-to-focus capabilities and fluid image swiping during playback. Furthermore, its wireless implementation is highly versatile, enabling remote shooting control via the free Lumix Link app and automatic photo transmission directly to a smartphone as shots are taken. Despite these strong features, the camera ultimately disappoints in core optical performance and value for money. Laboratory testing reveals that the 18-megapixel sensor produces soft images because the lens falls below the expected sharpness standards at its widest angle, scoring only 1,661 lines on Imatest compared to rivals like the Samsung WB800F which scores 1,992 lines. Low-light shooting is equally mediocre; the camera suffers from poor high...

The Digital Photography School review highlights the Panasonic Lumix ZS30/TZ40 as an exceptional, pocketable travel compact camera that easily outperforms standard smartphones in ergonomics and capability. Key pros of the device include its highly versatile 20x Leica optical zoom lens (24-480mm equivalent), an impressive 5-axis stabilization system that counteracts multiple types of motion, and high-speed performance capable of shooting 10 fps at full resolution. Additionally, reviewers praise its 7.6cm multi-touch LCD screen, its advanced built-in GPS landmark data library, and its seamless wireless smartphone integration using Wi-Fi and NFC. Despite its above-average build and performance, the review identifies critical drawbacks regarding low-light capture and physical button placement. The primary cons are prominent digital image noise and desaturation at high ISO settings, with severe definition loss and "murky" imagery occurring by ISO 1600 and 6400. Furthermore, the review outlines an ergonomic flaw where the dedicated video record button sits just millimeters away from the power button, frequently resulting in accidental mispresses when users try to activate the camera.

The What Digital Camera review identifies the Panasonic Lumix TZ40 as a capable travel camera, highlighting its versatile 20x Leica optical zoom lens and improved handling, featuring a chunkier rubber grip and a responsive 920k-dot touchscreen. Key pros include the addition of built-in Wi-Fi and NFC connectivity, along with an effective 5-axis Hybrid O.I.S. system for steady shooting. Conversely, the review notes significant limitations, most notably the lack of RAW image support and a tendency for the metering system to blow out highlights in bright conditions. While the camera is well-suited for travel, the review mentions that some rear buttons are small and that the wireless connectivity can be finicky.