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Panasonic FX48 vs Panasonic SZ8

Portability
95
Imaging
34
Features
21
Overall
28
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX48 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 front
Portability
94
Imaging
40
Features
31
Overall
36

Panasonic FX48 vs Panasonic SZ8 Key Specs

Panasonic FX48
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200 (Increase 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
  • Also Known as Lumix DMC-FX40
Panasonic SZ8
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Boost 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
Photography Glossary

Panasonic FX48 vs Panasonic SZ8 Overview

In this write-up, we are looking at the Panasonic FX48 and Panasonic SZ8, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom and they are both produced by Panasonic. There is a large difference between the resolutions of the FX48 (12MP) and SZ8 (16MP) but they come with the same exact sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The FX48 was announced 6 years prior to the SZ8 and that is quite a serious difference as far as tech is concerned. The two cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before we go straight into a more detailed comparison, below is a brief synopsis of how the FX48 scores versus the SZ8 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FX48 over the Panasonic SZ8

 FX48 SZ8 

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ8 over the Panasonic FX48

 SZ8 FX48 
ReleasedJanuary 2014January 2009More recent by 60 months
Display sizing3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution460k230kClearer display (+230k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic FX48 and Panasonic SZ8

 FX48 SZ8 
Manually focus Lack of manual focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly display Missing Touch friendly display

Panasonic FX48 vs Panasonic SZ8 Physical Comparison

For those who are aiming to lug around your camera regularly, you will have to think about its weight and measurements. The Panasonic FX48 features external dimensions of 95mm x 53mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.9") with a weight of 150 grams (0.33 lbs) and the Panasonic SZ8 has proportions of 100mm x 60mm x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") along with a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs).

Look at the Panasonic FX48 and Panasonic SZ8 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you have at the time. Underneath is the front view size comparison of the FX48 versus the SZ8.

Panasonic FX48 vs Panasonic SZ8 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the FX48 and SZ8 is 95 and 94 respectively.

Panasonic FX48 vs Panasonic SZ8 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FX48 vs Panasonic SZ8 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is very difficult to picture the gap between sensor measurements simply by reading specs. The photograph underneath will offer you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the FX48 and SZ8.

As you can plainly see, both of these cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but different resolution. You can expect to see the Panasonic SZ8 to deliver greater detail with its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also help you crop images far more aggressively. The older FX48 is going to be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Panasonic FX48 vs Panasonic SZ8 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FX48 vs Panasonic SZ8 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FX48 vs Panasonic SZ8 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FX48 Portrait photography highlights
Panasonic SZ8 Portrait photography highlights
27
comes with face detect focus
lack of manual focus
external flash not possible
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
35
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
includes face detect focus
focusing manually not possible
lack of manual mode
external flash not possible
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FX48 Street photography advice
Panasonic SZ8 Street photography advice
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
63
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors (159g)
fixed screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FX48 Sports photography features
Panasonic SZ8 Sports photography features
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
low frames per second (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
34
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
terrible battery pack (200 shots)
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FX48 Travel photography advice
Panasonic SZ8 Travel photography advice
58
flash built-in
pretty wide (25mm)
lack of Timelapse recording
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
67
lighter than competitors (159 grams)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
flash built-in
pretty wide (24mm)
very long reach (288mm)
no Timelapse function
terrible battery pack (200 per charge)
does not have selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FX48 Landscape photography information
Panasonic SZ8 Landscape photography information
33
pretty wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
tiny screen (2.5 inch)
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
lack of Timelapse recording
42
pretty wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
lack of manual mode
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
terrible battery pack (200 per charge)
no Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FX48 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic SZ8 as a Vlogging camera
30
pretty wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detect focus
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
low video resolution (640 x 480 resolution)
lack of microphone socket
32
pretty wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detect focus
lighter than competitors (159 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
does not have selfie friendly screen
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
no microphone jack
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Panasonic FX48 vs Panasonic SZ8 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FX48 and Panasonic SZ8
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX48Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Panasonic
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX48 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8
Also Known as Lumix DMC-FX40 -
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2009-01-27 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 12MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4000 x 3000 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 3200 1600
Maximum enhanced ISO 6400 6400
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-125mm (5.0x) 24-288mm (12.0x)
Highest aperture f/2.8-5.9 f/3.1-6.3
Macro focusing range 5cm -
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.5" 3"
Resolution of screen 230k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen tech - TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 60s 8s
Max shutter speed 1/3000s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter speed 2.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 6.00 m 5.20 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
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 file format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone input
Headphone input
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 150 grams (0.33 lbs) 159 grams (0.35 lbs)
Dimensions 95 x 53 x 22mm (3.7" 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 feature
Type of storage SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Launch cost $325 $275