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Panasonic FX78 vs Panasonic SZ1

Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
31
Overall
33
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX78 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1 front
Portability
95
Imaging
39
Features
34
Overall
37

Panasonic FX78 vs Panasonic SZ1 Key Specs

Panasonic FX78
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-120mm (F2.5-5.9) lens
  • 142g - 100 x 55 x 21mm
  • Revealed January 2011
  • Additionally Known as Lumix DMC-FX77
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
  • Launched January 2012
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Panasonic FX78 vs Panasonic SZ1 Overview

Below is a extensive analysis of the Panasonic FX78 versus Panasonic SZ1, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras and they are both manufactured by Panasonic. There exists a big gap between the image resolutions of the FX78 (12MP) and SZ1 (16MP) but both cameras offer the same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The FX78 was unveiled 11 months before the SZ1 which means that they are both of a similar generation. Each of these cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before going into a full comparison, here is a quick introduction of how the FX78 matches up versus the SZ1 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FX78 over the Panasonic SZ1

 FX78 SZ1 
Display dimensions3.5"3"Larger display (+0.5")
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ1 over the Panasonic FX78

 SZ1 FX78 
LaunchedJanuary 2012January 2011More recent by 11 months

Common features in the Panasonic FX78 and Panasonic SZ1

 FX78 SZ1 
Manually focus Lack of manual focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kIdentical display resolution
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen

Panasonic FX78 vs Panasonic SZ1 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is looking to lug around your camera frequently, you'll have to think about its weight and proportions. The Panasonic FX78 has physical measurements of 100mm x 55mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") along with a weight of 142 grams (0.31 lbs) and the Panasonic SZ1 has measurements of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") along with a weight of 131 grams (0.29 lbs).

Look at the Panasonic FX78 versus Panasonic SZ1 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you are using at that moment. Following is a front view proportions comparison of the FX78 versus the SZ1.

Panasonic FX78 vs Panasonic SZ1 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the FX78 and SZ1 is 95 and 95 respectively.

Panasonic FX78 vs Panasonic SZ1 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FX78 vs Panasonic SZ1 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is very tough to visualize the difference between sensor measurements only by going over a spec sheet. The graphic below may offer you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the FX78 and SZ1.

As you can see, each of these cameras have the same sensor dimensions but different resolution. You should anticipate the Panasonic SZ1 to deliver extra detail having an extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will make it easier to crop photos a bit more aggressively. The older FX78 is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor technology.

Panasonic FX78 vs Panasonic SZ1 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FX78 vs Panasonic SZ1 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FX78 vs Panasonic SZ1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FX78 Portrait photography info
Panasonic SZ1 Portrait photography info
21
lack of manual focus
no manual mode
can't use external flash
MP count low (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
34
good MP (16MP)
includes face detect autofocus
lack of manual focus
manual mode not available
no external flash support
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FX78 Street photography details
Panasonic SZ1 Street photography details
57
built in image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
63
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (131g)
screen does not articulate
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic FX78
Sports photography with Panasonic SZ1
28
built in image stabilization (Optical)
offers tracking autofocus
maximum shutter speed is a little low (1/1,400 seconds)
low fps (4.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
MP count low (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
not so great battery (200 shots)
does not have phase detect autofocus
40
has image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16MP)
includes tracking focus
low frames per second (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FX78 Travel photography highlights
Panasonic SZ1 Travel photography highlights
56
has built in flash
reasonably wide (24mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
not so great battery (200 per charge)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.5)
70
lighter than competitors in class (131 grams)
good MP (16MP)
has built in flash
quite wide (25mm)
great reach (250mm)
does not have Timelapse mode
display is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FX78 Landscape photography info
Panasonic SZ1 Landscape photography info
36
reasonably wide (24mm)
big screen (3.5 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.5)
no manual mode
MP count low (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
not so great battery (200 shots)
doesn't have Timelapse function
43
quite wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
manual mode not available
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
does not have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic FX78
Vlogging with Panasonic SZ1
33
reasonably wide (24mm)
touchscreen enabled
built in image stabilization (Optical)
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.5)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
doesn't have external microphone socket
32
quite wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detect autofocus
lighter than competitors in class (131g)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
display is not selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have microphone support
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Panasonic FX78 vs Panasonic SZ1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FX78 and Panasonic SZ1
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX78Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Panasonic
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX78 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1
Also Known as Lumix DMC-FX77 -
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2011-01-25 2012-01-09
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Venus Engine FHD -
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 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4000 x 3000 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 6400 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 11 23
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-120mm (5.0x) 25-250mm (10.0x)
Maximum aperture f/2.5-5.9 f/3.1-5.9
Macro focusing range 5cm 4cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3.5 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display tech TFT LCD TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 8 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/1400 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 4.0 frames per sec 1.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 5.60 m 5.60 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 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 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, AVCHD MPEG-4
Microphone 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
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 142 grams (0.31 lb) 131 grams (0.29 lb)
Physical dimensions 100 x 55 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8")
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 images 250 images
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Price at release $210 $179