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Panasonic FH20 vs Panasonic SZ3

Portability
93
Imaging
36
Features
21
Overall
30
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH20 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3 front
Portability
96
Imaging
39
Features
29
Overall
35

Panasonic FH20 vs Panasonic SZ3 Key Specs

Panasonic FH20
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-224mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 178g - 100 x 56 x 28mm
  • Introduced January 2010
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-FS30
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
  • Introduced January 2013
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Panasonic FH20 vs Panasonic SZ3 Overview

In this article, we are comparing the Panasonic FH20 versus Panasonic SZ3, both Small Sensor Compact cameras and they are both designed by Panasonic. The resolution of the FH20 (14MP) and the SZ3 (16MP) is very close and they possess the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The FH20 was introduced 4 years before the SZ3 which is a fairly serious gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before delving in to a in-depth comparison, below is a simple summation of how the FH20 grades vs the SZ3 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic FH20 over the Panasonic SZ3

 FH20 SZ3 

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ3 over the Panasonic FH20

 SZ3 FH20 
IntroducedJanuary 2013January 2010Newer by 36 months

Common features in the Panasonic FH20 and Panasonic SZ3

 FH20 SZ3 
Manually focus No manual focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing2.7"2.7"Equivalent display measurement
Display resolution230k230kThe same display resolution
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither offers Touch friendly display

Panasonic FH20 vs Panasonic SZ3 Physical Comparison

In case you're going to travel with your camera often, you'll need to think about its weight and volume. The Panasonic FH20 offers external measurements of 100mm x 56mm x 28mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 178 grams (0.39 lbs) whilst the Panasonic SZ3 has sizing of 95mm x 56mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") with a weight of 126 grams (0.28 lbs).

Analyze the Panasonic FH20 versus Panasonic SZ3 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are utilizing at the time. Underneath is the front view scale comparison of the FH20 against the SZ3.

Panasonic FH20 vs Panasonic SZ3 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the FH20 and SZ3 is 93 and 96 respectively.

Panasonic FH20 vs Panasonic SZ3 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FH20 vs Panasonic SZ3 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it can be hard to imagine the contrast in sensor dimensions purely by researching specs. The image below may provide you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the FH20 and SZ3.

As you can plainly see, both of those cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but different megapixels. You should expect to see the Panasonic SZ3 to render more detail using its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will make it easier to crop images far more aggressively. The more aged FH20 will be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.

Panasonic FH20 vs Panasonic SZ3 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FH20 vs Panasonic SZ3 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FH20 vs Panasonic SZ3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FH20 Portrait photography info
Panasonic SZ3 Portrait photography info
28
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
lack of manual exposure
can't use external flash
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
30
megapixel count good (16MP)
manual focus not available
no manual mode
can't use external flash
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FH20 Street photography advice
Panasonic SZ3 Street photography advice
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
63
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (126 grams)
fixed screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FH20 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic SZ3 as a Sports photography camera
34
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (14MP)
painfully slow continuous shooting (5.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
40
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16MP)
offers tracking autofocus
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FH20 Travel photography features
Panasonic SZ3 Travel photography features
64
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
rather wide (28mm)
missing Time Lapse function
does not have a selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
71
lighter than competition (126 grams)
megapixel count good (16MP)
has built in flash
fairly wide (25mm)
great zoom (250mm)
missing Time Lapse mode
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FH20 Landscape photography information
Panasonic SZ3 Landscape photography information
37
rather wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen is small (2.7 inch)
lack of manual exposure
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
missing Time Lapse function
38
fairly wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
manual focus not available
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen is small (2.7 inch)
no manual mode
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
missing Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FH20 Vlogging factors
Panasonic SZ3 Vlogging factors
28
rather wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing external mic socket
31
fairly wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (126g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
display isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing external mic support
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Panasonic FH20 vs Panasonic SZ3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FH20 and Panasonic SZ3
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH20Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3
General Information
Brand Panasonic Panasonic
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH20 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3
Other name Lumix DMC-FS30 -
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2010-01-06 2013-01-07
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 -
Maximum resolution 4320 x 3240 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 9 23
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-224mm (8.0x) 25-250mm (10.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.3-5.9 f/3.1-5.9
Macro focus range 5cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.9
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.7" 2.7"
Display resolution 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display technology - TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 secs 60 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shooting rate 5.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 5.80 m (Auto ISO) 4.10 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 178 gr (0.39 lbs) 126 gr (0.28 lbs)
Dimensions 100 x 56 x 28mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.1") 95 x 56 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life - 250 images
Form of battery - Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots One One
Price at launch $179 $150