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Panasonic LX3 vs Panasonic SZ1

Portability
91
Imaging
34
Features
40
Overall
36
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1 front
Portability
95
Imaging
39
Features
34
Overall
37

Panasonic LX3 vs Panasonic SZ1 Key Specs

Panasonic LX3
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/1.63" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-60mm (F2.0-2.8) lens
  • 265g - 109 x 60 x 27mm
  • Announced November 2008
  • New Model is Panasonic LX5
Panasonic SZ1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 131g - 99 x 59 x 21mm
  • Revealed January 2012
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Panasonic LX3 vs Panasonic SZ1 Overview

Below, we are evaluating the Panasonic LX3 vs Panasonic SZ1, both Small Sensor Compact cameras and they are both created by Panasonic. There exists a sizeable gap among the image resolutions of the LX3 (10MP) and SZ1 (16MP) and the LX3 (1/1.63") and SZ1 (1/2.3") possess totally different sensor sizing.

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The LX3 was revealed 4 years earlier than the SZ1 which is a fairly large gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of these cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before we go straight into a more detailed comparison, below is a simple summation of how the LX3 matches up against the SZ1 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic LX3 over the Panasonic SZ1

 LX3 SZ1 
Focus manually Dial accurate focus
Display resolution460k230kSharper display (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ1 over the Panasonic LX3

 SZ1 LX3 
RevealedJanuary 2012November 2008More modern by 38 months

Common features in the Panasonic LX3 and Panasonic SZ1

 LX3 SZ1 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimension3"3"Identical display measurement
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch friendly display Missing Touch friendly display

Panasonic LX3 vs Panasonic SZ1 Physical Comparison

If you're intending to carry around your camera regularly, you will want to factor in its weight and measurements. The Panasonic LX3 has got outer dimensions of 109mm x 60mm x 27mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.1") along with a weight of 265 grams (0.58 lbs) and the Panasonic SZ1 has proportions of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") accompanied by a weight of 131 grams (0.29 lbs).

Contrast the Panasonic LX3 vs Panasonic SZ1 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you are using at the time. Here is the front view dimension comparison of the LX3 against the SZ1.

Panasonic LX3 vs Panasonic SZ1 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the LX3 and SZ1 is 91 and 95 respectively.

Panasonic LX3 vs Panasonic SZ1 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic LX3 vs Panasonic SZ1 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it's tough to see the difference in sensor sizes only by researching a spec sheet. The image below might provide you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the LX3 and SZ1.

As you can see, both of those cameras have got different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The LX3 having a larger sensor will make achieving shallow depth of field easier and the Panasonic SZ1 will provide you with extra detail because of its extra 6MP. Greater resolution can also help you crop photos much more aggressively. The more aged LX3 will be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

Panasonic LX3 vs Panasonic SZ1 sensor size comparison

Panasonic LX3 vs Panasonic SZ1 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic LX3 vs Panasonic SZ1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic LX3 Portrait photography details
Panasonic SZ1 Portrait photography details
40
focusing manually
exports RAW formats
low MP (10 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/1.63")
34
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
offers face detection focusing
focusing manually not possible
manual exposure not possible
no external flash support
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic LX3
Street photography with Panasonic SZ1
60
built in image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW formats
fixed screen
sensor is small (1/1.63")
heavier than competitors (265 grams)
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (131 grams)
screen is fixed
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic LX3 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic SZ1 as a Sports photography camera
27
built in image stabilization (Optical)
low fps (3.0 frames/s)
low MP (10 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/1.63")
does not have phase detect AF
40
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
offers tracking autofocus
slow fps (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic LX3 Travel photography features
Panasonic SZ1 Travel photography features
60
flash built-in
relatively wide (24mm)
fast maximum aperture (f2.0)
does not have Time Lapse mode
heavier than competitors (265 grams)
low MP (10MP)
display is not selfie friendly
70
lighter than competition in class (131 grams)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (25mm)
long zoom (250mm)
lack of Time Lapse mode
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Panasonic LX3 Landscape photography info
Panasonic SZ1 Landscape photography info
52
focusing manually
relatively wide (24mm)
fast maximum aperture (f2.0)
nice screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW formats
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
low MP (10 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/1.63")
does not have Time Lapse mode
43
reasonably wide (25mm)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
manual exposure not possible
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
lack of Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic LX3 Vlogging factors
Panasonic SZ1 Vlogging factors
30
relatively wide (24mm)
fast maximum aperture (f2.0)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
display is not selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have mic socket
heavier than competitors (265g)
32
reasonably wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection focusing
lighter than competition in class (131 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of external mic port
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Panasonic LX3 vs Panasonic SZ1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic LX3 and Panasonic SZ1
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1
General Information
Company Panasonic Panasonic
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2008-11-04 2012-01-09
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/1.63" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 8.07 x 5.56mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 44.9mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 10MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 3648 x 2736 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points - 23
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-60mm (2.5x) 25-250mm (10.0x)
Maximum aperture f/2.0-2.8 f/3.1-5.9
Macro focus distance 1cm 4cm
Focal length multiplier 4.5 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 460 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen technology - TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 seconds 8 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 3.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 8.30 m 5.60 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (HD 24 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30fps), 320 x 240 (10fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format - MPEG-4
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 265 grams (0.58 lb) 131 grams (0.29 lb)
Dimensions 109 x 60 x 27mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.1") 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 39 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 19.6 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 10.8 not tested
DXO Low light score 94 not tested
Other
Battery life - 250 pictures
Type of battery - Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Launch cost $449 $179