Panasonic SZ1 vs Sony HX30V
95 Imaging
39 Features
34 Overall
37


90 Imaging
41 Features
50 Overall
44
Panasonic SZ1 vs Sony HX30V Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 6400
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
- 131g - 99 x 59 x 21mm
- Announced January 2012
(Full Review)
- 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 12800
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 25-500mm (F3.2-5.8) lens
- 254g - 107 x 62 x 35mm
- Released February 2012
- Older Model is Sony HX20V
- Replacement is Sony HX50V

Panasonic SZ1 vs Sony HX30V Overview
Let's look much closer at the Panasonic SZ1 vs Sony HX30V, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by manufacturers Panasonic and Sony. The sensor resolution of the SZ1 (16MP) and the HX30V (18MP) is pretty similar and both cameras provide the same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

The SZ1 was introduced around the same time to the HX30V so they are both of a similar generation. Both of the cameras have the same body design (Compact).
Before diving into a detailed comparison, here is a simple highlight of how the SZ1 scores vs the HX30V in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Panasonic SZ1 vs Sony HX30V Gallery
Below is a preview of the gallery images for Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V. The whole galleries are viewable at Panasonic SZ1 Gallery and Sony HX30V Gallery.
Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ1 over the Sony HX30V
SZ1 | HX30V |
---|
Reasons to pick Sony HX30V over the Panasonic SZ1
HX30V | SZ1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | More precise focus | ||
Screen resolution | 922k | ![]() | 230k | Clearer screen (+692k dot) |
Common features in the Panasonic SZ1 and Sony HX30V
SZ1 | HX30V | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | January 2012 | ![]() | February 2012 | Similar generation |
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equal screen measurement |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither contains selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Absent Touch friendly screen |
Panasonic SZ1 vs Sony HX30V Physical Comparison
For those who are going to carry your camera regularly, you have to take into account its weight and volume. The Panasonic SZ1 has got external dimensions of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") having a weight of 131 grams (0.29 lbs) while the Sony HX30V has sizing of 107mm x 62mm x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4") accompanied by a weight of 254 grams (0.56 lbs).
Look at the Panasonic SZ1 vs Sony HX30V in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you choose at that moment. Underneath is a front view dimensions comparison of the SZ1 versus the HX30V.

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the SZ1 and HX30V is 95 and 90 respectively.

Panasonic SZ1 vs Sony HX30V Sensor Comparison
In many cases, its hard to see the difference between sensor sizing simply by reviewing a spec sheet. The graphic below might offer you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the SZ1 and HX30V.
Clearly, both cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same resolution. You should expect the Sony HX30V to offer extra detail using its extra 2MP. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop photographs a bit more aggressively.

Panasonic SZ1 vs Sony HX30V Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 vs Sony HX30V Specifications
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Make | Panasonic | Sony |
Model | Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V |
Category | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Announced | 2012-01-09 | 2012-02-28 |
Body design | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | - | BIONZ |
Sensor type | CCD | BSI-CMOS |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor dimensions | 6.08 x 4.56mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
Sensor surface area | 27.7mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16 megapixel | 18 megapixel |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 4:3 and 16:9 |
Peak resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4896 x 3672 |
Highest native ISO | 6400 | 12800 |
Lowest native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW photos | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
AF touch | ||
Continuous AF | ||
AF single | ||
AF tracking | ||
AF selectice | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
AF multi area | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detection AF | ||
Contract detection AF | ||
Phase detection AF | ||
Number of focus points | 23 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 25-250mm (10.0x) | 25-500mm (20.0x) |
Maximal aperture | f/3.1-5.9 | f/3.2-5.8 |
Macro focus distance | 4cm | 1cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.9 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen sizing | 3 inches | 3 inches |
Screen resolution | 230 thousand dot | 922 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch friendly | ||
Screen technology | TFT Color LCD | XtraFine TruBlack TFT LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 8 secs | 30 secs |
Max shutter speed | 1/1600 secs | 1/1600 secs |
Continuous shutter speed | 1.0 frames/s | 10.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | - | Yes |
Custom WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash range | 5.60 m | 7.10 m |
Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction | Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync |
Hot shoe | ||
AEB | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) | 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Highest video resolution | 1280x720 | 1920x1080 |
Video data format | MPEG-4 | MPEG-4, AVCHD |
Mic jack | ||
Headphone jack | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | Built-In |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | BuiltIn |
Physical | ||
Environmental seal | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 131 gr (0.29 lbs) | 254 gr (0.56 lbs) |
Physical dimensions | 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") | 107 x 62 x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall score | not tested | not tested |
DXO Color Depth score | not tested | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range score | not tested | not tested |
DXO Low light score | not tested | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery life | 250 pictures | 320 pictures |
Battery form | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | - | NP-BG1 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo |
Storage slots | 1 | 1 |
Price at release | $179 | $420 |