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Panasonic FX78 vs Panasonic SZ8

Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
31
Overall
33
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX78 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 front
Portability
94
Imaging
40
Features
31
Overall
36

Panasonic FX78 vs Panasonic SZ8 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
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-FX77
Panasonic SZ8
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Raise to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-288mm (F3.1-6.3) lens
  • 159g - 100 x 60 x 27mm
  • Revealed January 2014
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Panasonic FX78 vs Panasonic SZ8 Overview

Lets look a little more in depth at the Panasonic FX78 versus Panasonic SZ8, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both are manufactured by Panasonic. There exists a considerable gap among the image resolutions of the FX78 (12MP) and SZ8 (16MP) but they use the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The FX78 was released 3 years before the SZ8 which is a fairly large difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before going through a comprehensive comparison, below is a concise overview of how the FX78 scores versus the SZ8 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FX78 over the Panasonic SZ8

 FX78 SZ8 
Display sizing3.5"3"Larger display (+0.5")
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ8 over the Panasonic FX78

 SZ8 FX78 
RevealedJanuary 2014January 2011Newer by 35 months
Display resolution460k230kCrisper display (+230k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic FX78 and Panasonic SZ8

 FX78 SZ8 
Manually focus No manual focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen

Panasonic FX78 vs Panasonic SZ8 Physical Comparison

For those who are going to travel with your camera regularly, you have to consider its weight and measurements. The Panasonic FX78 features outside dimensions of 100mm x 55mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") and a weight of 142 grams (0.31 lbs) whilst the Panasonic SZ8 has proportions of 100mm x 60mm x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs).

Look at the Panasonic FX78 versus Panasonic SZ8 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you are employing at that time. Underneath is the front view dimensions comparison of the FX78 compared to the SZ8.

Panasonic FX78 vs Panasonic SZ8 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the FX78 and SZ8 is 95 and 94 respectively.

Panasonic FX78 vs Panasonic SZ8 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FX78 vs Panasonic SZ8 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is very tough to imagine the contrast in sensor dimensions just by checking out technical specs. The image underneath should offer you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the FX78 and SZ8.

As you can tell, each of the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but different resolution. You can expect to see the Panasonic SZ8 to produce more detail as a result of its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will allow you to crop pics far more aggressively. The more aged FX78 will be behind in sensor tech.

Panasonic FX78 vs Panasonic SZ8 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FX78 vs Panasonic SZ8 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FX78 vs Panasonic SZ8 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FX78 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic SZ8 as a Portrait photography camera
21
focusing manually not possible
no manual control
cannot use external flash
sensor resolution low (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
35
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
provides face detection autofocus
focusing manually not possible
lack of manual mode
can't use external flash
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FX78 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic SZ8 as a Street photography camera
57
has image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
63
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (159 grams)
fixed screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FX78 Sports photography advice
Panasonic SZ8 Sports photography advice
28
has image stabilization (Optical)
offers tracking autofocus
maximum shutter speed is a little low (1/1,400s)
max fps low (4.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor resolution low (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
not so great battery life (200 shots)
lack of phase detect autofocus
34
has image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16MP)
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
terrible battery (200 CIPA)
has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FX78 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic SZ8 as a Travel photography camera
56
flash built-in
fairly wide (24mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
not so great battery life (200 CIPA)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.5)
67
lighter than average (159g)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
quite wide (24mm)
great reach (288mm)
lack of Time Lapse function
terrible battery (200 per charge)
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FX78 Landscape photography info
Panasonic SZ8 Landscape photography info
36
fairly wide (24mm)
screen larger than average (3.5 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.5)
no manual control
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
not so great battery life (200 CIPA)
does not have Time Lapse mode
42
quite wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16MP)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
lack of manual mode
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
terrible battery (200 CIPA)
lack of Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FX78 Vlogging information
Panasonic SZ8 Vlogging information
33
fairly wide (24mm)
has touchscreen
has image stabilization (Optical)
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.5)
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have external mic port
32
quite wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detection autofocus
lighter than average (159 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
display is not selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of external mic jack
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Panasonic FX78 vs Panasonic SZ8 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FX78 and Panasonic SZ8
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX78Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8
General Information
Brand Panasonic Panasonic
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX78 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8
Also referred to as Lumix DMC-FX77 -
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2011-01-25 2014-01-06
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Venus Engine FHD Venus Engine
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4000 x 3000 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 6400 1600
Maximum boosted ISO - 6400
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-120mm (5.0x) 24-288mm (12.0x)
Largest aperture f/2.5-5.9 f/3.1-6.3
Macro focusing range 5cm -
Crop factor 5.9 5.9
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3.5 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 230k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display technology TFT LCD TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60s 8s
Maximum shutter speed 1/1400s 1/2000s
Continuous shooting speed 4.0 frames per second 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 5.60 m 5.20 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro 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 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 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 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, AVCHD Motion JPEG
Mic 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
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 142g (0.31 lbs) 159g (0.35 lbs)
Dimensions 100 x 55 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") 100 x 60 x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 200 photographs
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Pricing at launch $210 $275