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Fujifilm X30 vs Panasonic SZ3

Portability
80
Imaging
39
Features
73
Overall
52
Fujifilm X30 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3 front
Portability
96
Imaging
40
Features
29
Overall
35

Fujifilm X30 vs Panasonic SZ3 Key Specs

Fujifilm X30
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 2/3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-112mm (F2.0-2.8) lens
  • 423g - 119 x 72 x 60mm
  • Revealed August 2014
  • Succeeded the Fujifilm X20
Panasonic SZ3
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 126g - 95 x 56 x 22mm
  • Revealed January 2013
Photography Glossary

Fujifilm X30 vs Panasonic SZ3 Overview

In this article, we are reviewing the Fujifilm X30 vs Panasonic SZ3, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by brands FujiFilm and Panasonic. There is a crucial difference among the image resolutions of the Fujifilm X30 (12MP) and SZ3 (16MP) and the Fujifilm X30 (2/3") and SZ3 (1/2.3") possess different sensor sizing.

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The Fujifilm X30 was launched 20 months after the SZ3 making the cameras a generation away from each other. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before getting in to a in-depth comparison, below is a simple introduction of how the Fujifilm X30 scores versus the SZ3 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Fujifilm X30 over the Panasonic SZ3

 Fujifilm X30 SZ3 
RevealedAugust 2014January 2013Newer by 20 months
Focus manually Dial exact focusing
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution920k230kSharper display (+690k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ3 over the Fujifilm X30

 SZ3 Fujifilm X30 

Common features in the Fujifilm X30 and Panasonic SZ3

 Fujifilm X30 SZ3 
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch friendly display No Touch friendly display

Fujifilm X30 vs Panasonic SZ3 Physical Comparison

For those who are intending to travel with your camera regularly, you are going to need to think about its weight and dimensions. The Fujifilm X30 enjoys physical dimensions of 119mm x 72mm x 60mm (4.7" x 2.8" x 2.4") having a weight of 423 grams (0.93 lbs) whilst the Panasonic SZ3 has dimensions of 95mm x 56mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") with a weight of 126 grams (0.28 lbs).

Contrast the Fujifilm X30 vs Panasonic SZ3 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you use at that time. The following is the front view size comparison of the Fujifilm X30 against the SZ3.

Fujifilm X30 vs Panasonic SZ3 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the Fujifilm X30 and SZ3 is 80 and 96 respectively.

Fujifilm X30 vs Panasonic SZ3 top view buttons comparison

Fujifilm X30 vs Panasonic SZ3 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it's hard to imagine the contrast in sensor dimensions just by going through specs. The picture below will help offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the Fujifilm X30 and SZ3.

All in all, the two cameras enjoy different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The Fujifilm X30 featuring a larger sensor is going to make shooting shallower DOF less difficult and the Panasonic SZ3 will produce extra detail utilizing its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will make it easier to crop photos far more aggressively. The fresher Fujifilm X30 provides an advantage with regard to sensor tech.

Fujifilm X30 vs Panasonic SZ3 sensor size comparison

Fujifilm X30 vs Panasonic SZ3 Screen and ViewFinder

Fujifilm X30 vs Panasonic SZ3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Fujifilm X30 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic SZ3 as a Portrait photography camera
47
has manual focus
features face detection autofocus
saves RAW files
sensor resolution low (12MP)
small sensor size (2/3")
30
good MP (16 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
lack of manual mode
external flash not possible
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Fujifilm X30 Street photography advice
Panasonic SZ3 Street photography advice
64
screen tilts up and down
has image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW files
small sensor size (2/3")
more heavy than competition (423 grams)
64
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (126g)
no articulating screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Fujifilm X30 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic SZ3 as a Sports photography camera
52
has image stabilization (Optical)
features tracking autofocus
better than average battery (470 shots)
comes with phase detect autofocus
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (2/3")
41
image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16MP)
offers tracking focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Fujifilm X30
Travel photography with Panasonic SZ3
62
better than average battery (470 CIPA)
has built in flash
really wide (28mm)
very good maximum aperture (f2.0)
more heavy than competition (423g)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
71
lighter than competition in class (126g)
good MP (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
quite wide (25mm)
long reach (250mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Fujifilm X30 Landscape photography advice
Panasonic SZ3 Landscape photography advice
58
has manual focus
really wide (28mm)
very good maximum aperture (f2.0)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW files
better than average battery (470 shots)
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (2/3")
39
quite wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
small screen (2.7 inches)
lack of manual mode
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Fujifilm X30 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic SZ3 as a Vlogging camera
34
really wide (28mm)
very good maximum aperture (f2.0)
has image stabilization (Optical)
features face detection autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does have external microphone port
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
more heavy than competition (423g)
31
quite wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (126g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have mic port
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Fujifilm X30 vs Panasonic SZ3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Fujifilm X30 and Panasonic SZ3
 Fujifilm X30Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3
General Information
Brand Name FujiFilm Panasonic
Model type Fujifilm X30 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2014-08-26 2013-01-07
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip EXR Processor II -
Sensor type CMOS X-TRANS II CCD
Sensor size 2/3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 8.8 x 6.6mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 58.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 -
Full resolution 4000 x 3000 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 12800 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 49 23
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-112mm (4.0x) 25-250mm (10.0x)
Max aperture f/2.0-2.8 f/3.1-5.9
Macro focusing range 1cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 4.1 5.9
Screen
Display type Tilting Fixed Type
Display size 3 inch 2.7 inch
Display resolution 920k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display technology - TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 2,360k dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.65x -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 secs 60 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shooting speed 12.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 7.00 m 4.10 m
Flash options Auto, forced flash, slow synchro, commander, suppressed flash Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60p/50p/30p/25/24p), 1280 x 720 (60p/50p/30p/25/24p), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 423g (0.93 pounds) 126g (0.28 pounds)
Dimensions 119 x 72 x 60mm (4.7" x 2.8" x 2.4") 95 x 56 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 470 pictures 250 pictures
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NP-95 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Price at launch $499 $150