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Panasonic L1 vs Panasonic SZ8

Portability
65
Imaging
41
Features
38
Overall
39
Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 front
Portability
94
Imaging
40
Features
31
Overall
36

Panasonic L1 vs Panasonic SZ8 Key Specs

Panasonic L1
(Full Review)
  • 7MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • No Video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 606g - 146 x 87 x 77mm
  • Revealed April 2007
Panasonic SZ8
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Bump to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-288mm (F3.1-6.3) lens
  • 159g - 100 x 60 x 27mm
  • Introduced January 2014
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Panasonic L1 vs Panasonic SZ8 Overview

Below, we are looking at the Panasonic L1 versus Panasonic SZ8, one is a Advanced DSLR and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both are sold by Panasonic. There exists a sizeable gap between the sensor resolutions of the L1 (7MP) and SZ8 (16MP) and the L1 (Four Thirds) and SZ8 (1/2.3") feature totally different sensor size.

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The L1 was unveiled 7 years earlier than the SZ8 which is quite a large gap as far as technology is concerned. Each of these cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic L1 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Panasonic SZ8 being a Compact camera.

Before going straight into a full comparison, below is a simple synopsis of how the L1 grades vs the SZ8 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic L1 over the Panasonic SZ8

 L1 SZ8 
Manually focus Dial accurate focus

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ8 over the Panasonic L1

 SZ8 L1 
IntroducedJanuary 2014April 2007More modern by 82 months
Display dimension3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution460k207kSharper display (+253k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic L1 and Panasonic SZ8

 L1 SZ8 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither comes with Touch friendly display

Panasonic L1 vs Panasonic SZ8 Physical Comparison

If you are intending to carry around your camera regularly, you have to take into account its weight and volume. The Panasonic L1 comes with external measurements of 146mm x 87mm x 77mm (5.7" x 3.4" x 3.0") accompanied by a weight of 606 grams (1.34 lbs) while the Panasonic SZ8 has sizing of 100mm x 60mm x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") having a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs).

Take a look at the Panasonic L1 versus Panasonic SZ8 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you have chosen during that time. The following is the front view overall size comparison of the L1 compared to the SZ8.

Panasonic L1 vs Panasonic SZ8 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the L1 and SZ8 is 65 and 94 respectively.

Panasonic L1 vs Panasonic SZ8 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic L1 vs Panasonic SZ8 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it can be tough to see the gap between sensor sizes simply by reading specs. The pic here may offer you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the L1 and SZ8.

All in all, both cameras posses different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The L1 with its larger sensor will make achieving shallower DOF less difficult and the Panasonic SZ8 will offer extra detail having an extra 9MP. Greater resolution can also enable you to crop images somewhat more aggressively. The more aged L1 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.

Panasonic L1 vs Panasonic SZ8 sensor size comparison

Panasonic L1 vs Panasonic SZ8 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic L1 vs Panasonic SZ8 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic L1 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic SZ8 as a Portrait photography camera
54
focusing manually
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
low MP (7MP)
35
good resolution (16MP)
offers face detection focusing
focusing manually not possible
no manual control
can't use external flash
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Panasonic L1 Street photography details
Panasonic SZ8 Street photography details
58
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
lighter than average in class (606 grams)
screen does not articulate
does not have image stabilization
63
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (159 grams)
no articulating screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic L1
Sports photography with Panasonic SZ8
40
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
has phase detect auto focus
slow fps (3.0 fps)
does not have image stabilization
low MP (7 megapixels)
34
has image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16MP)
slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is small (1/2.3")
low battery life (200 per charge)
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic L1
Travel photography with Panasonic SZ8
50
lighter than average in class (606g)
has built in flash
lack of Timelapse recording
low MP (7 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
67
lighter than competition in class (159 grams)
good resolution (16MP)
built-in flash
quite wide (24mm)
great reach (288mm)
no Timelapse function
low battery life (200 shots)
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic L1
Landscape photography with Panasonic SZ8
47
focusing manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
small screen (2.5")
does not have image stabilization
low MP (7 megapixels)
lack of Timelapse recording
42
quite wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16MP)
focusing manually not possible
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
no manual control
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
low battery life (200 shots)
no Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic L1 Vlogging factors
Panasonic SZ8 Vlogging factors
9
can't record video
32
quite wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection focusing
lighter than competition in class (159g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
display is not selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
no external microphone support
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Panasonic L1 vs Panasonic SZ8 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic L1 and Panasonic SZ8
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Panasonic
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8
Type Advanced DSLR Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2007-04-11 2014-01-06
Physical type Mid-size SLR Compact
Sensor Information
Chip - Venus Engine
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 7 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 3136 x 2352 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 1600 1600
Max enhanced ISO - 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 3 9
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 24-288mm (12.0x)
Maximum aperture - f/3.1-6.3
Amount of lenses 45 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 2.5 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 207k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display tech - TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) None
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.46x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 8 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 3.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 13.00 m 5.20 m
Flash settings Auto, Red-Eye Auto, On, Red-Eye On, Red-Eye Slow Sync, Off, Slow Sync (1&2) Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/160 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions - 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p), 320 x 240 (30p)
Max video resolution None 1280x720
Video file format - Motion JPEG
Microphone support
Headphone support
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 sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 606 grams (1.34 pounds) 159 grams (0.35 pounds)
Dimensions 146 x 87 x 77mm (5.7" x 3.4" x 3.0") 100 x 60 x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1")
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 photos
Battery style - Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/MMC card SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Retail price $1,500 $275