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Panasonic LX3 vs Panasonic SZ8

Portability
91
Imaging
34
Features
40
Overall
36
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 front
Portability
94
Imaging
40
Features
31
Overall
36

Panasonic LX3 vs Panasonic SZ8 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
  • Released November 2008
  • Later Model is Panasonic LX5
Panasonic SZ8
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Boost to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-288mm (F3.1-6.3) lens
  • 159g - 100 x 60 x 27mm
  • Released January 2014
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Panasonic LX3 vs Panasonic SZ8 Overview

Here is a thorough analysis of the Panasonic LX3 vs Panasonic SZ8, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom and they are both designed by Panasonic. There exists a large gap between the image resolutions of the LX3 (10MP) and SZ8 (16MP) and the LX3 (1/1.63") and SZ8 (1/2.3") have totally different sensor sizing.

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The LX3 was launched 6 years before the SZ8 and that is quite a serious difference as far as technology is concerned. The two cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before we go into a step-by-step comparison, here is a short view of how the LX3 grades vs the SZ8 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic LX3 over the Panasonic SZ8

 LX3 SZ8 
Manually focus Very exact focusing

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ8 over the Panasonic LX3

 SZ8 LX3 
ReleasedJanuary 2014November 2008Fresher by 62 months

Common features in the Panasonic LX3 and Panasonic SZ8

 LX3 SZ8 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display size3"3"Same display measurement
Display resolution460k460kExact same display resolution
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch display Neither has Touch display

Panasonic LX3 vs Panasonic SZ8 Physical Comparison

For those who are intending to carry your camera frequently, you should consider its weight and proportions. The Panasonic LX3 has outer measurements of 109mm x 60mm x 27mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.1") and a weight of 265 grams (0.58 lbs) while the Panasonic SZ8 has measurements of 100mm x 60mm x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") and a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs).

Compare the Panasonic LX3 vs Panasonic SZ8 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you select during that time. Following is a front view dimensions comparison of the LX3 against the SZ8.

Panasonic LX3 vs Panasonic SZ8 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the LX3 and SZ8 is 91 and 94 respectively.

Panasonic LX3 vs Panasonic SZ8 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic LX3 vs Panasonic SZ8 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it can be difficult to visualise the gap between sensor sizing only by reading through technical specs. The visual here should give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the LX3 and SZ8.

As you can tell, both of those cameras feature different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The LX3 because of its larger sensor will make shooting shallower depth of field simpler and the Panasonic SZ8 will give more detail utilizing its extra 6 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop images way more aggressively. The older LX3 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.

Panasonic LX3 vs Panasonic SZ8 sensor size comparison

Panasonic LX3 vs Panasonic SZ8 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic LX3 vs Panasonic SZ8 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic LX3
Portrait photography with Panasonic SZ8
40
manual focus
supports RAW formats
sensor resolution low (10MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/1.63")
35
decent MP (16 megapixels)
offers face detect focus
lack of manual focus
manual exposure not possible
can't use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic LX3 Street photography features
Panasonic SZ8 Street photography features
60
image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW formats
screen does not articulate
sensor size is tiny (1/1.63")
more heavy than competition (265g)
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (159g)
screen is fixed
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic LX3 Sports photography highlights
Panasonic SZ8 Sports photography highlights
27
image stabilization (Optical)
max fps low (3.0 frames per second)
sensor resolution low (10MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/1.63")
has no phase detect auto focus
34
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16MP)
max frames per second very slow (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
very small sensor (1/2.3")
low battery life (200 CIPA)
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic LX3 Travel photography advice
Panasonic SZ8 Travel photography advice
60
built-in flash
rather wide (24mm)
very good maximum aperture (f2.0)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
more heavy than competition (265 grams)
sensor resolution low (10MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
67
lighter than others (159g)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (24mm)
great zoom (288mm)
lack of Timelapse recording
low battery life (200 per charge)
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic LX3 Landscape photography info
Panasonic SZ8 Landscape photography info
52
manual focus
rather wide (24mm)
very good maximum aperture (f2.0)
decent sized screen (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW formats
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
sensor resolution low (10MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/1.63")
doesn't have Timelapse mode
42
reasonably wide (24mm)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16MP)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
manual exposure not possible
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
low battery life (200 shots)
lack of Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic LX3 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic SZ8 as a Vlogging camera
30
rather wide (24mm)
very good maximum aperture (f2.0)
image stabilization (Optical)
screen is not selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have microphone port
more heavy than competition (265 grams)
32
reasonably wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detect focus
lighter than others (159g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of microphone socket
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Panasonic LX3 vs Panasonic SZ8 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic LX3 and Panasonic SZ8
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8
General Information
Brand Panasonic Panasonic
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2008-11-04 2014-01-06
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor - Venus Engine
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/1.63" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 8.07 x 5.56mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 44.9mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 3648 x 2736 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 6400 1600
Highest enhanced ISO - 6400
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-60mm (2.5x) 24-288mm (12.0x)
Maximum aperture f/2.0-2.8 f/3.1-6.3
Macro focus distance 1cm -
Crop factor 4.5 5.9
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 460k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen tech - TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 8 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 3.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 8.30 m 5.20 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
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 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p), 320 x 240 (30p)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format - Motion JPEG
Microphone port
Headphone port
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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 265 grams (0.58 pounds) 159 grams (0.35 pounds)
Physical dimensions 109 x 60 x 27mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.1") 100 x 60 x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 - 200 pictures
Battery type - Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Pricing at release $449 $275