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Panasonic FS7 vs Panasonic SZ8

Portability
95
Imaging
33
Features
17
Overall
26
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS7 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 front
Portability
94
Imaging
40
Features
31
Overall
36

Panasonic FS7 vs Panasonic SZ8 Key Specs

Panasonic FS7
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.5" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600 (Boost to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 33-132mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 139g - 97 x 54 x 22mm
  • Introduced January 2009
Panasonic SZ8
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Push to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-288mm (F3.1-6.3) lens
  • 159g - 100 x 60 x 27mm
  • Announced January 2014
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Panasonic FS7 vs Panasonic SZ8 Overview

Below, we will be contrasting the Panasonic FS7 versus Panasonic SZ8, former is a Ultracompact while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom and they are both built by Panasonic. There is a considerable difference between the sensor resolutions of the FS7 (10MP) and SZ8 (16MP) and the FS7 (1/2.5") and SZ8 (1/2.3") feature totally different sensor size.

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The FS7 was manufactured 6 years earlier than the SZ8 which is quite a large difference as far as tech is concerned. Both of the cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic FS7 being a Ultracompact camera and the Panasonic SZ8 being a Compact camera.

Before we go straight into a full comparison, below is a concise summary of how the FS7 grades against the SZ8 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FS7 over the Panasonic SZ8

 FS7 SZ8 

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ8 over the Panasonic FS7

 SZ8 FS7 
AnnouncedJanuary 2014January 2009More modern by 60 months
Screen dimension3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kCrisper screen (+230k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic FS7 and Panasonic SZ8

 FS7 SZ8 
Focus manually Lack of manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither includes Touch friendly screen

Panasonic FS7 vs Panasonic SZ8 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is intending to carry around your camera regularly, you should factor in its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic FS7 features outside dimensions of 97mm x 54mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.1" x 0.9") with a weight of 139 grams (0.31 lbs) while the Panasonic SZ8 has dimensions of 100mm x 60mm x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") having a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs).

Take a look at the Panasonic FS7 versus Panasonic SZ8 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you have attached during that time. Here is the front view physical size comparison of the FS7 compared to the SZ8.

Panasonic FS7 vs Panasonic SZ8 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the FS7 and SZ8 is 95 and 94 respectively.

Panasonic FS7 vs Panasonic SZ8 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FS7 vs Panasonic SZ8 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is tough to see the difference between sensor sizes merely by reading specs. The pic here should provide you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the FS7 and SZ8.

All in all, each of the cameras posses different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The FS7 because of its tinier sensor will make shooting shallower DOF trickier and the Panasonic SZ8 will offer greater detail due to its extra 6 Megapixels. Higher resolution will help you crop pictures somewhat more aggressively. The more aged FS7 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor innovation.

Panasonic FS7 vs Panasonic SZ8 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FS7 vs Panasonic SZ8 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FS7 vs Panasonic SZ8 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic FS7
Portrait photography with Panasonic SZ8
19
manual focus not available
no manual exposure
cannot use external flash
low MP (10MP)
small sensor (1/2.5")
doesn't have RAW support
35
resolution is good (16MP)
offers face detect focusing
focusing manually not possible
manual exposure not possible
cannot use external flash
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FS7 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic SZ8 as a Street photography camera
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
small sensor (1/2.5")
doesn't have RAW support
63
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (159g)
no moving screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FS7 Sports photography info
Panasonic SZ8 Sports photography info
24
has image stabilization (Optical)
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
low MP (10 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.5")
doesn't have phase detect AF
34
has image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
continuous shooting slow (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
small sensor size (1/2.3")
terrible battery life (200 CIPA)
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic FS7
Travel photography with Panasonic SZ8
51
flash built-in
does not have Time Lapse function
low MP (10 megapixels)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
wide angle not good (33mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
67
lighter than competitors in class (159 grams)
resolution is good (16MP)
has built in flash
decently wide (24mm)
long reach (288mm)
missing Timelapse mode
terrible battery life (200 CIPA)
does not have selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic FS7
Landscape photography with Panasonic SZ8
27
has image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (33mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
no manual exposure
low MP (10MP)
small sensor (1/2.5")
doesn't have RAW support
does not have Time Lapse function
42
decently wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
manual exposure not possible
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
terrible battery life (200 shots)
missing Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FS7 Vlogging factors
Panasonic SZ8 Vlogging factors
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not good (33mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
video quality not great (640 x 480 pixels)
does not have external mic support
32
decently wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detect focusing
lighter than competitors in class (159 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
does not have selfie friendly display
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing microphone port
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Panasonic FS7 vs Panasonic SZ8 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FS7 and Panasonic SZ8
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS7Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Panasonic
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS7 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8
Category Ultracompact Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2009-01-16 2014-01-06
Body design Ultracompact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Venus Engine
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.5" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 5.744 x 4.308mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 24.7mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 3648 x 2736 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 1600 1600
Maximum enhanced ISO 6400 6400
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 33-132mm (4.0x) 24-288mm (12.0x)
Maximal aperture f/2.8-5.9 f/3.1-6.3
Macro focusing distance 5cm -
Focal length multiplier 6.3 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.7 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 230k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display tech - TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60s 8s
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter speed 3.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance - 5.20 m
Flash options Auto, Auto Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced Off Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 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)
Maximum video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video data 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
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 139 grams (0.31 pounds) 159 grams (0.35 pounds)
Dimensions 97 x 54 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.1" x 0.9") 100 x 60 x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 - 200 photographs
Type of battery - Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots One One
Retail pricing $160 $275