Panasonic GH3 vs Panasonic SZ8

Following is a thorough analysis of the Panasonic GH3 and Panasonic SZ8, one is a Advanced Mirrorless and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both of them are sold by Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the GH3 (16MP) and the SZ8 (16MP) is pretty comparable but the GH3 (Four Thirds) and SZ8 (1/2.3") offer totally different sensor sizing.

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The GH3 was launched 15 months before the SZ8 which makes them a generation away from one another. The two cameras have different body design with the Panasonic GH3 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic SZ8 being a Compact camera.

Before delving right into a complete comparison, here is a concise highlight of how the GH3 matches up vs the SZ8 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

This is a preview of the gallery images for Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH3 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8. The complete galleries are available at Panasonic GH3 Gallery and Panasonic SZ8 Gallery.

If you are intending to carry around your camera regularly, you're going to have to think about its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic GH3 has got external dimensions of 133mm x 93mm x 82mm (5.2" x 3.7" x 3.2") with a weight of 550 grams (1.21 lbs) while the Panasonic SZ8 has dimensions of 100mm x 60mm x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") along with a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs).

See the Panasonic GH3 and Panasonic SZ8 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you are working with during that time. Here is a front view dimensions comparison of the GH3 versus the SZ8.

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the GH3 and SZ8 is 66 and 94 respectively.

More often than not, it is very hard to visualise the difference in sensor sizes only by checking out specs. The image underneath will give you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the GH3 and SZ8.

All in all, both cameras provide the same megapixel count albeit not the same sensor sizes. The GH3 comes with the bigger sensor which will make getting shallow DOF easier. The more aged GH3 will be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.