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Panasonic FX48 vs Panasonic SZ1

Portability
95
Imaging
34
Features
21
Overall
28
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX48 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1 front
Portability
95
Imaging
39
Features
34
Overall
37

Panasonic FX48 vs Panasonic SZ1 Key Specs

Panasonic FX48
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200 (Expand to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 25-125mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 150g - 95 x 53 x 22mm
  • Introduced January 2009
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-FX40
Panasonic SZ1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 131g - 99 x 59 x 21mm
  • Announced January 2012
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Panasonic FX48 vs Panasonic SZ1 Overview

The following is a extensive comparison of the Panasonic FX48 versus Panasonic SZ1, both Small Sensor Compact cameras and they are both built by Panasonic. There is a sizeable difference among the sensor resolutions of the FX48 (12MP) and SZ1 (16MP) but both cameras have the same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The FX48 was manufactured 3 years before the SZ1 which is a fairly large gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of these cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before going straight to a in depth comparison, here is a simple overview of how the FX48 scores versus the SZ1 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FX48 over the Panasonic SZ1

 FX48 SZ1 

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ1 over the Panasonic FX48

 SZ1 FX48 
AnnouncedJanuary 2012January 2009Newer by 35 months
Display dimensions3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")

Common features in the Panasonic FX48 and Panasonic SZ1

 FX48 SZ1 
Manually focus No manual focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kThe same display resolution
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch display No Touch display

Panasonic FX48 vs Panasonic SZ1 Physical Comparison

In case you're intending to travel with your camera frequently, you're going to have to consider its weight and proportions. The Panasonic FX48 offers external measurements of 95mm x 53mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 150 grams (0.33 lbs) while the Panasonic SZ1 has measurements of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") with a weight of 131 grams (0.29 lbs).

Contrast the Panasonic FX48 versus Panasonic SZ1 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are utilising during that time. Following is a front view dimensions comparison of the FX48 vs the SZ1.

Panasonic FX48 vs Panasonic SZ1 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the FX48 and SZ1 is 95 and 95 respectively.

Panasonic FX48 vs Panasonic SZ1 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FX48 vs Panasonic SZ1 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is very difficult to visualize the gap in sensor dimensions simply by going through specifications. The picture below will offer you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the FX48 and SZ1.

To sum up, both the cameras have the same sensor dimensions but different resolution. You should anticipate the Panasonic SZ1 to produce greater detail due to its extra 4MP. Greater resolution can also let you crop photos a bit more aggressively. The more aged FX48 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.

Panasonic FX48 vs Panasonic SZ1 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FX48 vs Panasonic SZ1 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FX48 vs Panasonic SZ1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FX48 Portrait photography advice
Panasonic SZ1 Portrait photography advice
27
has face detect autofocus
focusing manually not possible
no external flash support
low resolution (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
34
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
comes with face detection autofocus
lack of manual focus
lack of manual mode
cannot use external flash
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic FX48
Street photography with Panasonic SZ1
56
image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (131 grams)
screen does not articulate
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic FX48
Sports photography with Panasonic SZ1
25
image stabilization (Optical)
max frames per second very slow (2.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
low resolution (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
40
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
comes with tracking autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FX48 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic SZ1 as a Travel photography camera
58
flash built-in
quite wide (25mm)
does not have Time Lapse recording
low resolution (12MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f2.8)
70
lighter than competitors in class (131g)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
pretty wide (25mm)
very long reach (250mm)
lack of Time Lapse mode
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic FX48
Landscape photography with Panasonic SZ1
33
quite wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
tiny screen (2.5 inch)
low resolution (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
does not have Time Lapse recording
43
pretty wide (25mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
lack of manual mode
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
lack of Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FX48 Vlogging info
Panasonic SZ1 Vlogging info
30
quite wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect autofocus
slow max aperture (f2.8)
display isn't selfie friendly
low video resolution (640 x 480 pixels)
does not have mic port
32
pretty wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detection autofocus
lighter than competitors in class (131g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen is not selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of external mic support
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Panasonic FX48 vs Panasonic SZ1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FX48 and Panasonic SZ1
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX48Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Panasonic
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX48 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1
Also called as Lumix DMC-FX40 -
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2009-01-27 2012-01-09
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 surface area 27.7mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4000 x 3000 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 3200 6400
Highest boosted ISO 6400 -
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 11 23
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-125mm (5.0x) 25-250mm (10.0x)
Maximum aperture f/2.8-5.9 f/3.1-5.9
Macro focusing range 5cm 4cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.9
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.5" 3"
Screen resolution 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology - TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60s 8s
Highest shutter speed 1/3000s 1/1600s
Continuous shooting rate 2.0 frames per second 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 6.00 m 5.60 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction
Hot shoe
AEB
WB 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 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4
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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 150 grams (0.33 pounds) 131 grams (0.29 pounds)
Physical dimensions 95 x 53 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.9") 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8")
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 - 250 pictures
Battery style - 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
Card slots One One
Cost at launch $325 $179