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Panasonic FX580 vs Panasonic SZ8

Portability
95
Imaging
34
Features
29
Overall
32
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX580 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 front
Portability
94
Imaging
40
Features
31
Overall
36

Panasonic FX580 vs Panasonic SZ8 Key Specs

Panasonic FX580
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600 (Boost 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
  • Other Name is Lumix DMC-FX550
Panasonic SZ8
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • 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
  • Launched January 2014
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Panasonic FX580 vs Panasonic SZ8 Overview

Lets look a bit more closely at the Panasonic FX580 vs Panasonic SZ8, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom and they are both built by Panasonic. There exists a big gap between the sensor resolutions of the FX580 (12MP) and SZ8 (16MP) but both cameras have the identical sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The FX580 was released 6 years earlier than the SZ8 which is quite a big gap as far as technology is concerned. Each of the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before going straight to a detailed comparison, here is a concise view of how the FX580 matches up versus the SZ8 for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic FX580 over the Panasonic SZ8

 FX580 SZ8 

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ8 over the Panasonic FX580

 SZ8 FX580 
LaunchedJanuary 2014January 2009Newer by 60 months
Screen resolution460k230kCrisper screen (+230k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic FX580 and Panasonic SZ8

 FX580 SZ8 
Manually focus No manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen measurements
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither comes with Touch friendly screen

Panasonic FX580 vs Panasonic SZ8 Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to travel with your camera regularly, you'll have to consider its weight and size. The Panasonic FX580 comes with outside measurements of 95mm x 57mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") and a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs) whilst the Panasonic SZ8 has specifications of 100mm x 60mm x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs).

Compare the Panasonic FX580 vs Panasonic SZ8 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you have attached at the time. Below is a front view over all size comparison of the FX580 compared to the SZ8.

Panasonic FX580 vs Panasonic SZ8 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the FX580 and SZ8 is 95 and 94 respectively.

Panasonic FX580 vs Panasonic SZ8 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FX580 vs Panasonic SZ8 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is very tough to picture the difference between sensor dimensions simply by reading a spec sheet. The pic underneath will help give you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the FX580 and SZ8.

Clearly, each of these cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit different megapixels. You should count on the Panasonic SZ8 to deliver extra detail as a result of its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop shots way more aggressively. The more aged FX580 is going to be behind with regard to sensor innovation.

Panasonic FX580 vs Panasonic SZ8 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FX580 vs Panasonic SZ8 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FX580 vs Panasonic SZ8 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FX580 Portrait photography information
Panasonic SZ8 Portrait photography information
26
offers face detection focusing
manual focus not available
no manual exposure
no external flash support
low MP (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
35
decent megapixels (16MP)
includes face detect autofocus
focusing manually not possible
lack of manual exposure
can't use external flash
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FX580 Street photography features
Panasonic SZ8 Street photography features
56
image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (159g)
no moving screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FX580 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic SZ8 as a Sports photography camera
27
image stabilization (Optical)
slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
low MP (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
34
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16MP)
max fps low (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
not so great battery pack (200 CIPA)
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FX580 Travel photography details
Panasonic SZ8 Travel photography details
58
has built in flash
really wide (25mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
low MP (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
67
lighter than average (159 grams)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
rather wide (24mm)
very long reach (288mm)
missing Timelapse mode
not so great battery pack (200 per charge)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic FX580
Landscape photography with Panasonic SZ8
36
really wide (25mm)
screen size is decent (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
no manual exposure
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
does not have Time Lapse mode
42
rather wide (24mm)
screen is a decent size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
lack of manual exposure
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
not so great battery pack (200 CIPA)
missing Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FX580 Vlogging highlights
Panasonic SZ8 Vlogging highlights
30
really wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection focusing
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have external mic socket
32
rather wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detect autofocus
lighter than average (159g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing microphone jack
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Panasonic FX580 vs Panasonic SZ8 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FX580 and Panasonic SZ8
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX580Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Panasonic
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX580 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8
Also called Lumix DMC-FX550 -
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 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 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4000 x 3000 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 1600 1600
Maximum enhanced ISO 6400 6400
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-125mm (5.0x) 24-288mm (12.0x)
Maximal aperture f/2.8-5.9 f/3.1-6.3
Macro focusing distance 5cm -
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 230k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen tech - TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 60 secs 8 secs
Max shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 2.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 6.00 m 5.20 m
Flash options 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
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
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)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data 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 167g (0.37 lb) 159g (0.35 lb)
Physical dimensions 95 x 57 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" 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 photos
Battery format - 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 1 1
Price at release $499 $275