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Panasonic GH2 vs Panasonic SZ8

Portability
70
Imaging
51
Features
65
Overall
56
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 front
Portability
94
Imaging
40
Features
31
Overall
36

Panasonic GH2 vs Panasonic SZ8 Key Specs

Panasonic GH2
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 160 - 12800
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 442g - 124 x 90 x 76mm
  • Revealed March 2011
  • Superseded the Panasonic GH1
  • Replacement is Panasonic GH3
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 GH2 vs Panasonic SZ8 Overview

Here, we are comparing the Panasonic GH2 vs Panasonic SZ8, former is a Advanced Mirrorless while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom and they are both designed by Panasonic. The image resolution of the GH2 (16MP) and the SZ8 (16MP) is very comparable but the GH2 (Four Thirds) and SZ8 (1/2.3") boast different sensor size.

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The GH2 was introduced 3 years prior to the SZ8 which is a fairly large difference as far as camera tech is concerned. The two cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic GH2 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic SZ8 being a Compact camera.

Before we go into a full comparison, here is a concise synopsis of how the GH2 matches up versus the SZ8 for portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic GH2 over the Panasonic SZ8

 GH2 SZ8 
Focus manually Very exact focus
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ8 over the Panasonic GH2

 SZ8 GH2 
RevealedJanuary 2014March 2011More modern by 34 months

Common features in the Panasonic GH2 and Panasonic SZ8

 GH2 SZ8 
Display size3"3"Same display size
Display resolution460k460kThe same display resolution

Panasonic GH2 vs Panasonic SZ8 Physical Comparison

If you are intending to carry around your camera often, you are going to need to factor its weight and volume. The Panasonic GH2 offers exterior dimensions of 124mm x 90mm x 76mm (4.9" x 3.5" x 3.0") and a weight of 442 grams (0.97 lbs) while the Panasonic SZ8 has sizing of 100mm x 60mm x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") with a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs).

Compare the Panasonic GH2 vs Panasonic SZ8 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are employing at the time. Below is a front view proportions comparison of the GH2 against the SZ8.

Panasonic GH2 vs Panasonic SZ8 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the GH2 and SZ8 is 70 and 94 respectively.

Panasonic GH2 vs Panasonic SZ8 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic GH2 vs Panasonic SZ8 Sensor Comparison

Often, it can be difficult to picture the gap in sensor sizes just by going through specifications. The image here will help offer you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the GH2 and SZ8.

To sum up, both of these cameras come with the identical resolution but different sensor sizes. The GH2 contains the larger sensor which will make obtaining shallow DOF easier. The more aged GH2 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Panasonic GH2 vs Panasonic SZ8 sensor size comparison

Panasonic GH2 vs Panasonic SZ8 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic GH2 vs Panasonic SZ8 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic GH2 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic SZ8 as a Portrait photography camera
70
you can focus manually
good megapixels (16MP)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
features face detect autofocus
delivers RAW formats
35
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
offers face detection autofocus
manual focus not available
manual exposure not possible
external flash not possible
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Panasonic GH2 Street photography information
Panasonic SZ8 Street photography information
68
fully articulated screen
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
lack of image stabilization
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (159 grams)
fixed screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic GH2 Sports photography factors
Panasonic SZ8 Sports photography factors
46
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
features tracking focus
max fps very slow (3.0 frames per second)
lack of image stabilization
terrible battery life (330 per charge)
no phase detect autofocus
34
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16MP)
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
terrible battery (200 shots)
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic GH2 Travel photography features
Panasonic SZ8 Travel photography features
62
good megapixels (16MP)
built-in flash
screen is selfie friendly
does not have Time Lapse mode
terrible battery life (330 shots)
67
lighter than competition (159 grams)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
quite wide (24mm)
long reach (288mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
terrible battery (200 CIPA)
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic GH2 Landscape photography info
Panasonic SZ8 Landscape photography info
60
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3")
good megapixels (16MP)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
lack of image stabilization
terrible battery life (330 CIPA)
does not have Time Lapse mode
42
quite wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
manual focus not available
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
manual exposure not possible
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
terrible battery (200 shots)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic GH2 Vlogging info
Panasonic SZ8 Vlogging info
71
screen is selfie friendly
built-in touchscreen
features face detect autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does have mic support
lack of image stabilization
32
quite wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection autofocus
lighter than competition (159g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
display is not selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have external mic port
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Panasonic GH2 vs Panasonic SZ8 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic GH2 and Panasonic SZ8
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8
General Information
Company Panasonic Panasonic
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8
Class Advanced Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2011-03-23 2014-01-06
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Venus Engine FHD Venus Engine
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16 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 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 12800 1600
Maximum boosted ISO - 6400
Minimum native ISO 160 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 23 9
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 24-288mm (12.0x)
Maximal aperture - f/3.1-6.3
Number of lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.9
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 460 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display technology TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.71x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 seconds 8 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 3.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 15.60 m 5.20 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/160 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (24, 30, 60fps) 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30fps) 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p), 320 x 240 (30p)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format AVCHD, Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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 442 gr (0.97 pounds) 159 gr (0.35 pounds)
Physical dimensions 124 x 90 x 76mm (4.9" x 3.5" x 3.0") 100 x 60 x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 60 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 21.2 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.3 not tested
DXO Low light rating 655 not tested
Other
Battery life 330 photographs 200 photographs
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Pricing at launch $1,000 $275