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Panasonic LX5 vs Panasonic SZ8

Portability
88
Imaging
35
Features
44
Overall
38
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 front
Portability
94
Imaging
40
Features
31
Overall
36

Panasonic LX5 vs Panasonic SZ8 Key Specs

Panasonic LX5
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/1.63" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-90mm (F2.0-3.3) lens
  • 271g - 110 x 65 x 43mm
  • Revealed December 2011
  • Old Model is Panasonic LX3
  • Refreshed by Panasonic LX7
Panasonic SZ8
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Increase to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-288mm (F3.1-6.3) lens
  • 159g - 100 x 60 x 27mm
  • Launched January 2014
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Panasonic LX5 vs Panasonic SZ8 Overview

Here, we are looking at the Panasonic LX5 and Panasonic SZ8, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both of them are sold by Panasonic. There is a big difference between the resolutions of the LX5 (10MP) and SZ8 (16MP) and the LX5 (1/1.63") and SZ8 (1/2.3") boast different sensor size.

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The LX5 was introduced 3 years prior to the SZ8 and that is quite a big gap as far as tech is concerned. Each of these cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before getting into a in depth comparison, here is a quick synopsis of how the LX5 grades versus the SZ8 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic LX5 over the Panasonic SZ8

 LX5 SZ8 
Manual focus More precise focus

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ8 over the Panasonic LX5

 SZ8 LX5 
LaunchedJanuary 2014December 2011Fresher by 25 months

Common features in the Panasonic LX5 and Panasonic SZ8

 LX5 SZ8 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display size3"3"Same display size
Display resolution460k460kIdentical display resolution
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch display Neither comes with Touch display

Panasonic LX5 vs Panasonic SZ8 Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to carry your camera frequently, you will need to factor in its weight and proportions. The Panasonic LX5 comes with exterior measurements of 110mm x 65mm x 43mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.7") and a weight of 271 grams (0.60 lbs) whilst the Panasonic SZ8 has measurements of 100mm x 60mm x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") along with a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs).

Look at the Panasonic LX5 and Panasonic SZ8 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you use at the time. Below is a front view physical size comparison of the LX5 and the SZ8.

Panasonic LX5 vs Panasonic SZ8 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the LX5 and SZ8 is 88 and 94 respectively.

Panasonic LX5 vs Panasonic SZ8 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic LX5 vs Panasonic SZ8 Sensor Comparison

Often, it's difficult to picture the contrast between sensor sizing only by checking technical specs. The graphic underneath will help provide you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the LX5 and SZ8.

As you have seen, both the cameras come with different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The LX5 with its larger sensor is going to make shooting bokeh simpler and the Panasonic SZ8 will resolve greater detail using its extra 6MP. Greater resolution will also help you crop photos a good deal more aggressively. The older LX5 is going to be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.

Panasonic LX5 vs Panasonic SZ8 sensor size comparison

Panasonic LX5 vs Panasonic SZ8 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic LX5 vs Panasonic SZ8 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic LX5 Portrait photography info
Panasonic SZ8 Portrait photography info
41
manual focus
exports RAW formats
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
small sensor (1/1.63")
35
megapixel count good (16MP)
offers face detect autofocus
lack of manual focus
lack of manual mode
external flash not possible
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Street Comparison

Panasonic LX5 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic SZ8 as a Street photography camera
59
built in image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW formats
no articulating screen
small sensor (1/1.63")
more heavy than average (271g)
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (159 grams)
fixed screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic LX5 Sports photography features
Panasonic SZ8 Sports photography features
27
built in image stabilization (Optical)
continuous shooting slow (3.0 frames/s)
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
small sensor (1/1.63")
lack of phase detect AF
34
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16MP)
max frames per second very slow (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
not so great battery pack (200 per charge)
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic LX5 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic SZ8 as a Travel photography camera
59
flash built-in
pretty wide (24mm)
great maximum aperture (f2.0)
lack of Timelapse mode
more heavy than average (271g)
megapixel count low (10MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
67
lighter than average in class (159 grams)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
relatively wide (24mm)
great zoom (288mm)
lack of Timelapse recording
not so great battery pack (200 shots)
does not contain selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic LX5
Landscape photography with Panasonic SZ8
52
manual focus
pretty wide (24mm)
great maximum aperture (f2.0)
screen is a decent size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW formats
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
small sensor (1/1.63")
lack of Timelapse mode
42
relatively wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
lack of manual mode
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
not so great battery pack (200 shots)
lack of Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic LX5 Vlogging details
Panasonic SZ8 Vlogging details
29
pretty wide (24mm)
great maximum aperture (f2.0)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen is not selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of microphone support
more heavy than average (271 grams)
32
relatively wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detect autofocus
lighter than average in class (159 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
does not contain selfie friendly display
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of microphone jack
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Panasonic LX5 vs Panasonic SZ8 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic LX5 and Panasonic SZ8
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8
General Information
Brand Panasonic Panasonic
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2011-12-15 2014-01-06
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Venus Engine FHD 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 surface area 44.9mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 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 12800 1600
Highest enhanced ISO - 6400
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 23 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-90mm (3.8x) 24-288mm (12.0x)
Maximum aperture f/2.0-3.3 f/3.1-6.3
Macro focus range 1cm -
Focal length multiplier 4.5 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 460k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display tech - TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) None
Features
Min shutter speed 60 secs 8 secs
Max shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 3.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 7.20 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
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 (60, 30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p), 320 x 240 (30p)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format AVCHD Lite Motion JPEG
Microphone input
Headphone input
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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 271g (0.60 lb) 159g (0.35 lb)
Physical dimensions 110 x 65 x 43mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.7") 100 x 60 x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 41 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 19.6 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 10.8 not tested
DXO Low light score 132 not tested
Other
Battery life - 200 photos
Battery format - Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots One One
Pricing at release $294 $275