Clicky

Panasonic FX580 vs Panasonic SZ3

Portability
95
Imaging
34
Features
29
Overall
32
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX580 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3 front
Portability
96
Imaging
40
Features
29
Overall
35

Panasonic FX580 vs Panasonic SZ3 Key Specs

Panasonic FX580
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600 (Raise to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-125mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 167g - 95 x 57 x 22mm
  • Announced January 2009
  • Also referred to as Lumix DMC-FX550
Panasonic SZ3
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 126g - 95 x 56 x 22mm
  • Revealed January 2013
Photography Glossary

Panasonic FX580 vs Panasonic SZ3 Overview

Here is a in depth review of the Panasonic FX580 versus Panasonic SZ3, both Small Sensor Compact cameras and both of them are created by Panasonic. There exists a sizeable gap among the image resolutions of the FX580 (12MP) and SZ3 (16MP) but they possess the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

The FX580 was announced 5 years prior to the SZ3 and that is a fairly large gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before going through a complete comparison, below is a short view of how the FX580 matches up versus the SZ3 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic FX580 over the Panasonic SZ3

 FX580 SZ3 
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ3 over the Panasonic FX580

 SZ3 FX580 
RevealedJanuary 2013January 2009Fresher by 48 months

Common features in the Panasonic FX580 and Panasonic SZ3

 FX580 SZ3 
Manually focus No manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kExact same screen resolution
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither has Touch friendly screen

Panasonic FX580 vs Panasonic SZ3 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is aiming to carry your camera, you have to consider its weight and measurements. The Panasonic FX580 has outside measurements of 95mm x 57mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") along with a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs) while the Panasonic SZ3 has proportions of 95mm x 56mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") with a weight of 126 grams (0.28 lbs).

Check out the Panasonic FX580 versus Panasonic SZ3 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you use during that time. Below is the front view size comparison of the FX580 and the SZ3.

Panasonic FX580 vs Panasonic SZ3 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the FX580 and SZ3 is 95 and 96 respectively.

Panasonic FX580 vs Panasonic SZ3 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FX580 vs Panasonic SZ3 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it can be difficult to see the difference in sensor sizing merely by going through specs. The graphic below may give you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the FX580 and SZ3.

As you can plainly see, the 2 cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same resolution. You should expect the Panasonic SZ3 to show extra detail with its extra 4MP. Higher resolution can also let you crop shots a little more aggressively. The older FX580 will be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.

Panasonic FX580 vs Panasonic SZ3 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FX580 vs Panasonic SZ3 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FX580 vs Panasonic SZ3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FX580 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic SZ3 as a Portrait photography camera
26
offers face detect autofocus
focusing manually not possible
manual mode not possible
no external flash support
low MP (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
30
good MP (16 megapixels)
no manual focus
no manual mode
can't use external flash
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Street Comparison

Panasonic FX580 Street photography factors
Panasonic SZ3 Street photography factors
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
64
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (126 grams)
no articulating screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Sports Comparison

Panasonic FX580 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic SZ3 as a Sports photography camera
27
built in image stabilization (Optical)
slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
low MP (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
41
image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16 megapixels)
comes with tracking focus
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Travel Comparison

Panasonic FX580 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic SZ3 as a Travel photography camera
58
flash built-in
rather wide (25mm)
missing Time Lapse recording
low MP (12 megapixels)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
71
lighter than competition (126g)
good MP (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
fairly wide (25mm)
long zoom (250mm)
no Timelapse function
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FX580 Landscape photography highlights
Panasonic SZ3 Landscape photography highlights
36
rather wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
manual mode not possible
low MP (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
missing Time Lapse recording
39
fairly wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16MP)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
small screen (2.7 inches)
no manual mode
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
no Timelapse function
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic FX580
Vlogging with Panasonic SZ3
30
rather wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detect autofocus
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing mic port
31
fairly wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (126g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
display isn't selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
no microphone port
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Panasonic FX580 vs Panasonic SZ3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FX580 and Panasonic SZ3
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX580Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Panasonic
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX580 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3
Also called as Lumix DMC-FX550 -
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2009-01-27 2013-01-07
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
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 12 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2 -
Max resolution 4000 x 3000 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 1600 6400
Max enhanced ISO 6400 -
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 11 23
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-125mm (5.0x) 25-250mm (10.0x)
Largest aperture f/2.8-5.9 f/3.1-5.9
Macro focus range 5cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inches 2.7 inches
Display resolution 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display tech - TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 60 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 2.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 6.00 m 4.10 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
AE 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 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 167 grams (0.37 lbs) 126 grams (0.28 lbs)
Dimensions 95 x 57 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") 95 x 56 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 photos
Battery form - Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Cost at release $499 $150