Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX580 vs Sony Cyber-shot DSC-QX30

In this comparison, we will evaluate the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX580 and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-QX30, highlighting the advantages of each over the other, discussing their pros and cons, shared strengths and weaknesses, and providing a rating based on their available features and specifications to assist you in choosing the one that best suits your needs.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX580 was introduced in January 2009 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-QX30 was introduced in September 2014. Let us first list highlights of the models.

Now that we've looked at the most essential specifications and gained a basic understanding of these cameras, we can delve into more details and see the differences between them.

This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX580 over Sony Cyber-shot DSC-QX30.

This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Sony Cyber-shot DSC-QX30 over Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX580.

We already listed pros and cons of each model. However, you may also find useful to look at their common strengths and weaknesses shown side-by-side.

Screen

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX580 has a 3.0" screen with 230k dot resolution and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-QX30 has a [] screen with 0k dot resolution. Both have Fixed screens. Sony Cyber-shot DSC-QX30 also features touchscreen which has advantages such as easy menu navigation, intuitive controls, quick setting adjustment and most importantly a Touch-to-Focus functionality (available only on Sony Cyber-shot DSC-QX30) allowing users to select a specific point on the screen where they want the camera to focus. This feature can be helpful for achieving precise focus in both photo and video recording.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX580 features a 12 megapixel 1/2.33-inch CCD sensor with dimensions of 6.08 x 4.56 mm and a total area of 27.7 mm². Its native ISO range is 80 - 1,600 and expands to 80 - 6,400 in boosted mode. Sony Cyber-shot DSC-QX30 features a 20.4 megapixel 1/2.3-inch BSI-CMOS sensor with dimensions of 6.17 x 4.55 mm and a total area of 20.7 mm². Its native ISO range is 80 - 3,200.

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-QX30 has BSI-CMOS sensor, short for Backside Illuminated Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor sensor. In traditional CMOS sensors, the wiring and circuitry are located on the front side of the sensor, which can block some of the incoming light. BSI technology flips this design by placing the photosensitive elements (pixels) on the backside of the sensor, allowing more light to reach the pixels. This significantly enhances light sensitivity and improves low-light performance. BSI-CMOS sensors are particularly effective in low-light conditions, as they can capture more light, resulting in brighter and less noisy images. This makes them well-suited for indoor and night photography. BSI-CMOS sensors deliver a higher SNR and reduced cross-talk.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX580 can take pictures up to 4000 x 3000 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 4000 x 2672, 4000 x 2248, 3264 x 2448, 3264 x 2176, 3264 x 1840, 2560 x 1920, 2560 x 1712, 2560 x 1440, 2048 x 1536, 2048 x 1360, 1920 x 1080, 1600 x 1200, 640 x 480 with 16:9, 4:3, 3:2 aspect ratios. Sony Cyber-shot DSC-QX30 is equipped with Bionz X processor and can take pictures up to 5184 x 3888 resolution.

Image Stabilization

The cameras have a built-in [y] image stabilization.

Built-in Wi-Fi on Sony Cyber-shot DSC-QX30

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-QX30 has a built-in Wi-Fi which allows to easily transfer photos and videos from the camera to other Wi-Fi-enabled devices, such as smartphones, tablets, printers, or computers. This eliminates the need for cables and allows for quick and convenient media sharing and social media integration. It gives you the ability to control your camera remotely using a smartphone or tablet. This is particularly useful for taking self-portraits, group shots, or capturing images in challenging conditions without having to touch the camera. Firmware updates can also be downloaded and installed wirelessly.
  Check out the cameras in our database that have built-in WiFi.

NFC on Sony Cyber-shot DSC-QX30

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-QX30 has Near Field Communication (NFC) technology which simplifies the process of pairing it with other NFC-enabled devices like smartphones or tablets. It allows to quickly transfer photos and videos or remotely control the camera from compatible device. NFC can also be used for authentication and security purposes. It can verify your identity before accessing certain features or transferring sensitive data. It can be used with NFC-enabled accessories as well, such as lenses, flashes and GPS devices.

USB Inputs

Both models have USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) inputs for data transfer.

Battery

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX580 comes with Lithium-Ion rechargeable & charger battery pack and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-QX30 comes with NP-BN, battery pack with battery life of 200 shots.

External Storage Slots

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX580 has a single SD/MMC/SDHC card slot. Sony Cyber-shot DSC-QX30 has a single microSD/microSDHC/microSDXC/Memory Stick Micro card slot.

Shutter

Shutter speed can go up to 1/2000 sec on Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX580, and up to 1/1600 sec on Sony Cyber-shot DSC-QX30. Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX580 can shoot continuously up to 2.3 fps. Sony Cyber-shot DSC-QX30 can shoot continuously up to 10.0 fps.

Flash

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX580 has a built-in flash with maximum range of 6.00 m. Sony Cyber-shot DSC-QX30 has no built-in flash..

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX580 body has dimensions of 95 x 57 x 22 mm (3.74 x 2.24 x 0.87") and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-QX30 body has dimensions of 68 x 65 x 58 mm (2.68 x 2.56 x 2.28"). Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX580 weighs 167 g (0.37 lb / 5.89 oz) and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-QX30 weighs 193 g (0.43 lb / 6.81 oz).

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX580

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-QX30

95 mm

57 mm

68 mm

65 mm

57 mm

65 mm

22 mm

58 mm