Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30

Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30 ($399.99 direct) is a compact camera that manages to squeeze a 20x zoom lens into a pocketable form factor. The 18-megapixel shooter is sturdily built and boasts a sharp touch screen and built-in Wi-Fi to transfer photos to your phone.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30 ($399.99 direct) is a compact camera that manages to squeeze a 20x zoom lens into a pocketable form factor. The 18-megapixel shooter is sturdily built and boasts a sharp touch screen and built-in Wi-Fi to transfer photos to your phone.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30 Review

Panasonic's compact Lumix DMC-ZS30 features a long 20x zoom lens and integrated Wi-Fi, NFC, and GPS, but image quality disappoints. (3 out of 5) Pros Snappy focus 20x zoom range Sharp rear LCD Wi-Fi with NFC GPS 1080p60 video Cons Pricey Lens could be sharper So-so high ISO performance Very limited...

Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30 Review

Panasonic's compact Lumix DMC-ZS30 features a long 20x zoom lens and integrated Wi-Fi, NFC, and GPS, but image quality disappoints. The Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30 ($399.99 direct)( at Amazon) is a compact camera that manages to squeeze a 20x zoom lens into a pocketable form factor. The 18-megapixel shooter is sturdily built and boasts a sharp touch screen and built-in Wi-Fi to transfer photos to your phone. Performance is speedy, but image quality here is so-so. When you factor in a higher-than-average asking price, you have a camera that isn't nearly as good a value as our Editors' Choice superzoom, the Canon PowerShot SX280 HS($280.02 at Amazon). Design and Feautres Compact when you consider its ambitious zoom lens, the ZS30 measures just 2.3 by 4.3 by 1.1 (HWD) inches and weighs 6.1 ounces. It's just slightly smaller than the 2.4-by-4.4-by-1.3-inch, 7.3-ounce Nikon Coolpix S9500( at Amazon). The ZS30's lens is a 24-480mm (35mm equivalent design) with a variable f/3.3-6.4 aperture. That's a pretty useful zoom range, and a standard f-stop rating for a zoom of this size. You'll need to move up to a bigger super...

Many options available, need to work out the ones really needed

Almost too many options, the manual is well structured but takes time to absorb the many ways that the unit can be operated. Suggest that you start simple and build confidence in the mechanics before trying some of the smarter facilities

Great zoom capability Built in GPS, Wi-Fi and other features Vivid touchscreen Not so great picture quality Noise at high ISO levels/ high zoom There have been significant advancements in the camera technology in the recent past.

Feature-filled and fun to use

A fully loaded travel zoom that's fun to use, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30 has a lot to offer both advanced and casual snapshooters.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30

The ZS30 is one of the first cameras to use Near Field Communication (NFC) technology, so you can simply tap the camera on a compatible wireless device to connect it. Some owners find it incompatible with their Mac and iOS devices, but others report no problems.

Camera works great!

I bought this camera to replace a similar model (zs7)used when I needed a small super zoom travel camera. It works great with many new features. To correct a slight clipping of the highlights in some pictures I set the exposure lower by 2/3 stop. Adorama had the best price.

Panasonic has replaced its flagship travel compact camera, the Panasonic TZ30 (known as the Panasonic ZS20 in the US) with the Panasonic TZ40 - called the Panasonic ZS30 in the US.