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Panasonic FX78 vs Panasonic SZ7

Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
31
Overall
33
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX78 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ7 front
Portability
95
Imaging
37
Features
41
Overall
38

Panasonic FX78 vs Panasonic SZ7 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
  • Launched January 2011
  • Additionally referred to as Lumix DMC-FX77
Panasonic SZ7
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 133g - 99 x 59 x 21mm
  • Released January 2012
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Panasonic FX78 vs Panasonic SZ7 Overview

Here is a in-depth review of the Panasonic FX78 versus Panasonic SZ7, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras and they are both created by Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the FX78 (12MP) and the SZ7 (14MP) is pretty similar and they enjoy the same exact sensor size (1/2.3").

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The FX78 was introduced 11 months prior to the SZ7 which means that they are both of a similar age. Each of the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before delving in to a more detailed comparison, below is a quick synopsis of how the FX78 grades vs the SZ7 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FX78 over the Panasonic SZ7

 FX78 SZ7 
Screen sizing3.5"3"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ7 over the Panasonic FX78

 SZ7 FX78 
ReleasedJanuary 2012January 2011Fresher by 11 months
Screen resolution460k230kClearer screen (+230k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic FX78 and Panasonic SZ7

 FX78 SZ7 
Manually focus Lack of manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen

Panasonic FX78 vs Panasonic SZ7 Physical Comparison

If you're going to carry your camera regularly, you'll need to factor in its weight and proportions. The Panasonic FX78 offers external dimensions of 100mm x 55mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") accompanied by a weight of 142 grams (0.31 lbs) while the Panasonic SZ7 has measurements of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") having a weight of 133 grams (0.29 lbs).

Check out the Panasonic FX78 versus Panasonic SZ7 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you are employing at that moment. Following is the front view dimensions comparison of the FX78 compared to the SZ7.

Panasonic FX78 vs Panasonic SZ7 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the FX78 and SZ7 is 95 and 95 respectively.

Panasonic FX78 vs Panasonic SZ7 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FX78 vs Panasonic SZ7 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is very tough to envision the difference between sensor sizing only by reviewing a spec sheet. The visual below should provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the FX78 and SZ7.

As you can see, each of these cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same resolution. You can expect the Panasonic SZ7 to offer more detail using its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will help you crop photographs a little more aggressively. The older FX78 is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor innovation.

Panasonic FX78 vs Panasonic SZ7 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FX78 vs Panasonic SZ7 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FX78 vs Panasonic SZ7 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic FX78
Portrait photography with Panasonic SZ7
21
lack of manual focus
manual mode not available
external flash not possible
low MP (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
33
resolution is good (14MP)
provides face detect autofocus
focusing manually not possible
lack of manual mode
can't use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FX78 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic SZ7 as a Street photography camera
57
image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
63
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (133 grams)
no moving screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic FX78
Sports photography with Panasonic SZ7
28
image stabilization (Optical)
comes with tracking focus
maximum shutter speed is a little low (1/1,400s)
max fps very slow (4.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
low MP (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
bad battery life (200 CIPA)
no phase detect autofocus
43
has image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (14MP)
provides tracking focus
no shutter priority
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic FX78
Travel photography with Panasonic SZ7
56
flash built-in
pretty wide (24mm)
does not have Time Lapse function
bad battery life (200 CIPA)
low MP (12 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.5)
70
lighter than competition (133 grams)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
decently wide (25mm)
great zoom (250mm)
no Time Lapse mode
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FX78 Landscape photography factors
Panasonic SZ7 Landscape photography factors
36
pretty wide (24mm)
bigger than average screen (3.5")
image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.5)
manual mode not available
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
bad battery life (200 per charge)
does not have Time Lapse function
42
decently wide (25mm)
good sized screen (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
lack of manual mode
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
no Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FX78 Vlogging details
Panasonic SZ7 Vlogging details
33
pretty wide (24mm)
touchscreen functionality
image stabilization (Optical)
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.5)
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have mic socket
35
decently wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition (133 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
display isn't selfie friendly
no mic support
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Panasonic FX78 vs Panasonic SZ7 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FX78 and Panasonic SZ7
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX78Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ7
General Information
Brand Panasonic Panasonic
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX78 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ7
Also called as Lumix DMC-FX77 -
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2011-01-25 2012-01-09
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Venus Engine FHD -
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4000 x 3000 4320 x 3240
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 11 23
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-120mm (5.0x) 25-250mm (10.0x)
Highest aperture f/2.5-5.9 f/3.1-5.9
Macro focus range 5cm 4cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3.5 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 230 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display technology TFT LCD TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 60 secs 8 secs
Max shutter speed 1/1400 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shutter rate 4.0 frames per second 10.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 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 metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
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) 1920 x 1080 (60, 30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, AVCHD MPEG-4, AVCHD
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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 142g (0.31 lb) 133g (0.29 lb)
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 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 200 photographs 220 photographs
Type 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 One One
Pricing at release $210 $199