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Panasonic FH3 vs Panasonic SZ8

Portability
94
Imaging
36
Features
21
Overall
30
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH3 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 front
Portability
94
Imaging
40
Features
31
Overall
36

Panasonic FH3 vs Panasonic SZ8 Key Specs

Panasonic FH3
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F2.8-6.9) lens
  • 165g - 98 x 55 x 24mm
  • Released January 2010
  • Also referred to as Lumix DMC-FS11
Panasonic SZ8
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Bump to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-288mm (F3.1-6.3) lens
  • 159g - 100 x 60 x 27mm
  • Released January 2014
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Panasonic FH3 vs Panasonic SZ8 Overview

In this write-up, we are evaluating the Panasonic FH3 versus Panasonic SZ8, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both are designed by Panasonic. The resolution of the FH3 (14MP) and the SZ8 (16MP) is very similar and they possess the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The FH3 was announced 5 years earlier than the SZ8 which is quite a big gap as far as technology is concerned. Each of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before diving straight into a in-depth comparison, below is a concise overview of how the FH3 matches up versus the SZ8 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FH3 over the Panasonic SZ8

 FH3 SZ8 

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ8 over the Panasonic FH3

 SZ8 FH3 
ReleasedJanuary 2014January 2010More modern by 48 months
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kSharper display (+230k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic FH3 and Panasonic SZ8

 FH3 SZ8 
Focus manually Lack of manual focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch display Neither offers Touch display

Panasonic FH3 vs Panasonic SZ8 Physical Comparison

For those who are aiming to carry around your camera often, you will have to take into account its weight and size. The Panasonic FH3 offers external measurements of 98mm x 55mm x 24mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") with a weight of 165 grams (0.36 lbs) whilst the Panasonic SZ8 has specifications of 100mm x 60mm x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") having a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs).

Compare the Panasonic FH3 versus Panasonic SZ8 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you have attached during that time. Here is the front view dimension comparison of the FH3 and the SZ8.

Panasonic FH3 vs Panasonic SZ8 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the FH3 and SZ8 is 94 and 94 respectively.

Panasonic FH3 vs Panasonic SZ8 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FH3 vs Panasonic SZ8 Sensor Comparison

Normally, its difficult to imagine the gap between sensor sizes only by reading technical specs. The pic below will give you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the FH3 and SZ8.

As you can tell, both the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but different MP. You should expect to see the Panasonic SZ8 to offer extra detail with its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will let you crop images far more aggressively. The more aged FH3 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.

Panasonic FH3 vs Panasonic SZ8 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FH3 vs Panasonic SZ8 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FH3 vs Panasonic SZ8 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic FH3
Portrait photography with Panasonic SZ8
28
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
no manual control
can't use external flash
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
35
resolution is good (16MP)
comes with face detect autofocus
manual focus not available
manual mode not available
no external flash support
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FH3 Street photography features
Panasonic SZ8 Street photography features
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (159 grams)
screen does not articulate
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FH3 Sports photography info
Panasonic SZ8 Sports photography info
34
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
slow fps (6.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
34
built in image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (16MP)
slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
not so great battery (200 CIPA)
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FH3 Travel photography details
Panasonic SZ8 Travel photography details
64
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (28mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
67
lighter than average in class (159 grams)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
fairly wide (24mm)
long zoom (288mm)
missing Timelapse mode
not so great battery (200 shots)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FH3 Landscape photography info
Panasonic SZ8 Landscape photography info
37
reasonably wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
no manual control
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
doesn't have Timelapse function
42
fairly wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (16MP)
manual focus not available
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
manual mode not available
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
not so great battery (200 per charge)
missing Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic FH3
Vlogging with Panasonic SZ8
29
reasonably wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have microphone support
32
fairly wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detect autofocus
lighter than average in class (159g)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing microphone port
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Panasonic FH3 vs Panasonic SZ8 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FH3 and Panasonic SZ8
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH3Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Panasonic
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH3 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8
Also called as Lumix DMC-FS11 -
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2010-01-06 2014-01-06
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Venus Engine
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4320 x 3240 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 6400 1600
Highest boosted ISO - 6400
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-140mm (5.0x) 24-288mm (12.0x)
Maximal aperture f/2.8-6.9 f/3.1-6.3
Macro focus range 5cm -
Crop factor 5.9 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.7" 3"
Display resolution 230k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display tech - TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60s 8s
Maximum shutter speed 1/1600s 1/2000s
Continuous shooting speed 6.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 6.80 m 5.20 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB 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 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p), 320 x 240 (30p)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 165g (0.36 lb) 159g (0.35 lb)
Dimensions 98 x 55 x 24mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") 100 x 60 x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1")
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 - 200 images
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Retail pricing $160 $275