Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX7 vs. DMC-SZ1: A Detailed Comparison for Enthusiasts and Pros

When it comes to compact cameras, Panasonic has consistently offered options aimed at both casual shooters and more serious enthusiasts. Today, I’m putting two of their relatively close contemporaries head to head: the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX7 and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1. Both launched around 2012 but cater to slightly different users and photography styles. Having spent extensive hands-on time testing both, I’ll guide you through what sets them apart - from sensors to ergonomics, autofocus to video. By the end, you’ll know exactly which one fits your style and shooting needs best.

Let’s get started.

Form Factor and Handling: Compact, But Worlds Apart

First impressions matter, and physical size and ergonomics often influence daily use more than specs alone.

The Panasonic LX7 hangs comfortably in the palm with a more substantial grip and control layout aimed at enthusiasts who want quick access to manual settings and customizations. The SZ1, by contrast, is ultra-slim and designed for maximum portability, resembling a basic point-and-shoot for casual snaps rather than serious photography.

Measuring roughly 111x68x46 mm and weighing 298 grams, the LX7 is chunky for a compact, with enough heft to inspire confidence but not so much it’s bulky in a jacket pocket. The SZ1 sports a svelte 99x59x21 mm frame at just 131 grams - easy to slide into a purse or even a large pocket.

My testing revealed the LX7’s button layout naturally suits manual photographers. Dedicated dials and a mode ring are all at your fingertips for ISO, aperture, and shutter speed changes, supported by a decent 3-inch 920k-dot fixed LCD.

In contrast, the SZ1 sticks to the basics with minimal buttons and a lower resolution 230k-dot 3-inch LCD - serviceable but lacking fine detail, which can make settings confirmation tricky under bright daylight or while focusing manually (though manual focus isn’t supported here).

The SZ1’s streamlined design sacrifices direct access to creative controls. No manual exposure modes, no shutter or aperture priority, and no customizable buttons. You’re relying on fully automatic or scene modes, making this better for casual shooters or beginners wanting something fuss-free to grab-and-go.

In summary: If you crave control and a tactile shooting experience, the LX7 wins hands down. If you want a truly pocketable “point and shoot” with minimal fuss, the SZ1 scores.

Sensor and Image Quality: Bigger Sensor, Sharper Results

When it comes to raw image quality - the foundation of every photograph - the sensor reigns supreme. Panasonic’s LX7 sports a 1/1.7-inch CMOS sensor with 10 megapixels, while the SZ1 uses a smaller 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor boasting 16 megapixels.

At first glance, 16MP sounds better. But sensor size and technology often trump pixel count in delivering real-world quality. The LX7’s 1/1.7” sensor, though lower in resolution, has roughly 1.5x the surface area of the SZ1’s 1/2.3” sensor, which means bigger photosites for better light gathering, cleaner images, and improved dynamic range.

Take a look at the sensor size and image quality discussion below:

More importantly, the LX7 uses a newer CMOS design coupled with Panasonic’s Venus Engine processor, enabling superior noise control and higher usable ISO sensitivity. The SZ1’s CCD sensor shows more noise and less dynamic range at higher ISO, images get softer, and colors less vibrant, especially in low light.

The LX7 exhibits impressive DxOMark scores: 50 overall, 20.7 color depth, and 11.7 stops dynamic range. The SZ1 hasn’t been tested on DxOMark, but my hands-on evaluation confirms noticeably more noise and less nuanced gradation.

Sample galleries from my testing offer visual proof of the difference:

Panasonic LX7 front Panasonic LX7 screen back Panasonic SZ1 front Panasonic SZ1 screen back

Look closely at sharpness, color fidelity, and shadow detail - particularly in JPEGs straight out of camera. The LX7 handles complex lighting scenarios with more grace, rendering natural skin tones and foliage colors beautifully.

For landscape shooters or anyone shooting outdoors where dynamic range and color rendition matter, the difference will be visible. If you mostly snap in good light and crop significantly, the SZ1’s higher megapixel count might appeal, but there’s a trade-off with image quality.

Autofocus and Performance: Speed and Precision in Focus

One of the LX7’s strongest suits is its autofocus system, which packs 23 contrast-detection points and supports face detection and tracking. It offers continuous autofocus and tracking, enabling the camera to lock and maintain focus on moving subjects accurately.

The SZ1 has similar AF point counts (23), but lacks face detection and continuous AF live view - no surprise given its budget leanings.

In real-world tests, the LX7’s AF is noticeably faster and more reliable, especially in challenging lighting. For wildlife and sports photography, this is a critical difference.

Burst shooting speeds are another factor. The LX7 can shoot up to 11 frames per second, which is exceptional for a compact and useful for fleeting wildlife moments or children’s sports events. The SZ1 is limited to just 1 frame per second, making it unsuitable for action photography.

Tracking accuracy and autofocus precision cement the LX7 as the better choice for dynamic subjects. However, neither camera is designed to rival professional-level sports cameras, but the LX7 scratches that itch well enough for enthusiasts.

Lens: Bright vs. Zoomy - Pick Your Poison

The lens gives each camera an entirely different personality.

The Panasonic LX7’s 24-90mm equivalent with a bright f/1.4-2.3 aperture is a gem for low-light shots and portraits with creamy bokeh. The wide-open aperture at 24mm (f/1.4) creates that sought-after shallow depth of field, isolating subjects beautifully. Macro is excellent too, with a focusing distance down to 1cm.

By contrast, the SZ1 offers a much longer 25-250mm (10x zoom) range, but at the trade-off of slower f/3.1-5.9 aperture. You won’t get the same low-light prowess or background blur here. Macro focus starts at 4cm, which while decent, is less flexible for extreme close-ups.

If you prioritize versatile telephoto reach - say, for landscapes with distant wildlife or casual travel photography - the SZ1’s lens is tempting. But if you want shallow depth control, fast primes, and more manual control over depth of field for portraits or creative photography, the LX7’s lens is the clear winner.

LCD Screen and Electronic Viewfinder: Framing and Usability

Framing your shots and reviewing them comfortably is critical.

The LX7 comes with a high-res 3-inch 920k-dot TFT LCD, crisp and bright enough for outdoor use. It also optionally supports an electronic viewfinder (sold separately), offering more controllable and stable composing in bright sunlight or busy scenarios.

The SZ1 has a similar-sized screen but much lower resolution at 230k dots, making it less clear and precise. Neither camera has a built-in viewfinder.

For me, the LX7’s higher resolution screen is a considerable plus; it shows detail in focus checking and image preview that the SZ1 simply can’t match.

Video Capabilities: Full HD vs. Basic HD

If video matters to you, the LX7 again takes the lead. It shoots Full HD 1920x1080 video at 60/50 fps, providing smooth and sharp footage, and supports AVCHD as well as MPEG-4 formats.

The SZ1 offers only basic 720p HD video at 30fps, which is perfectly fine for casual clips but unimpressive by today’s standards.

Neither model has microphone or headphone ports, limiting external audio input or monitoring, but the LX7’s video quality and frame rates provide a notably better base for amateur filmmakers or run-and-gun doc shooters.

Battery Life and Storage

Battery endurance is a practical consideration. The LX7 uses a battery rated for around 330 shots per charge, final mileage varying with usage, whereas the SZ1 offers about 250 shots.

Neither is exceptionally long-lasting by today’s mirrorless or DSLR standards, but again, the LX7 holds up better, especially when using the LCD extensively or recording video.

Both cameras run on proprietary battery packs and utilize a single SD/SDHC/SDXC card slot.

Connectivity and Extras

Neither camera offers Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, or GPS. The LX7 supports HDMI output and USB 2.0 for tethering or file transfer; the SZ1 lacks HDMI but does have USB 2.0.

The LX7 supports more advanced exposure modes - shutter priority, aperture priority, manual - and exposure compensation, facilitating precise creative control. The SZ1 is limited to fully automatic exposure modes, making it unsuitable for users wanting to experiment.

Durability and Weather Resistance

Neither camera offers any environmental sealing, waterproofing, or ruggedization. These are not cameras you’d want out in tough, wet conditions without extra protection.

Price-to-Performance Ratio: What You Get for Your Wallet

Originally the LX7 launched around the $400 mark and still holds a similar used price today. The SZ1’s budget price is less than half that, roughly $179 new when released.

The LX7’s advanced features justify its premium in almost every category - better sensor, lens, speed, controls, and video. The SZ1’s strength lies in its portability, simple operation, and telephoto zoom range.

Putting It All Together: Who Should Choose Which?

Let me finish with a comprehensive genre-based performance analysis:

1. Portrait Photography: LX7 excels with sharp detail, natural skin tones, and attractive background blur from its f/1.4 lens. SZ1’s slower zoom lens and smaller sensor can’t compete.

2. Landscape Photography: LX7’s better dynamic range and resolution make it the choice for landscapes. SZ1’s tele zoom helps reach distant scenes but trades off image quality.

3. Wildlife Photography: For short bursts and autofocus speed, LX7 again shines, especially with its 11 fps burst. SZ1’s 1 fps and lack of tracking AF mean it misses the mark.

4. Sports Photography: Fast AF and high FPS on LX7 help capture the action. SZ1 unsuitable.

5. Street Photography: Both are compact and discreet; however, LX7’s manual controls and better low-light performance are advantageous. SZ1 offers ultra-slim portability.

6. Macro Photography: LX7’s closer focusing distance and larger aperture deliver superior macro shots compared to SZ1.

7. Night/Astro Photography: LX7 offers better high ISO performance and longer exposure ranges; SZ1’s limited ISO and slow lens limit night shooting.

8. Video: LX7’s full HD recording and reasonable frame rates provide flexibility; SZ1 only does basic 720p.

9. Travel Photography: If you want a lightweight take-anywhere with zoom range and simple operation, SZ1’s slimmer body delivers. However, if you want versatility and image quality on travels, LX7 is worth carrying.

10. Professional Work: LX7’s RAW support, manual exposure modes and control, and overall image quality make it suitable as a secondary or emergency camera, whereas SZ1 is not.

Comparative Performance Summary

Here’s a distilled summary of each camera’s trade-offs:

• Panasonic LX7: Premium compact with excellent image quality, manual controls, and strong video performance. A great choice for enthusiasts who want serious photo capability in a compact.

• Panasonic SZ1: Simple, budget-friendly compact with extended zoom range but compromises in image quality and controls. Best for casual photographers prioritizing zoom and portability.

Final Thoughts: A Camera for Every Enthusiast’s Pocket

In my personal collection, the Panasonic LX7 holds a permanent spot as a reliable, versatile compact with classic controls and image quality close to that of early mirrorless cameras. Its fast lens and responsive operation make it a joy for portraits, street, and creative photography. Plus, the dependable burst mode and AF tracking handle pet and kid photography surprisingly well.

The Panasonic SZ1 feels like a solid “grab and go” camera for those who truly want the sheer convenience of a tiny, ultra-light camera with a long zoom, without fussing over settings or file quality. Beginners or travelers prioritizing max zoom over image finesse will appreciate it.

Both are proof Panasonic’s compact camera lineup has something for everyone. Now that you’ve seen my detailed experience and analysis, you can pick the right fit for your photographic ambitions and budget.

Happy shooting!

If you want to see the differences visually and test scenarios I ran, check my assembled sample gallery and side-by-side image comparisons - seeing is believing with cameras.