Panasonic SZ1 vs Sony HX90V
95 Imaging
39 Features
34 Overall
37


91 Imaging
43 Features
63 Overall
51
Panasonic SZ1 vs Sony HX90V 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
- Released January 2012
(Full Review)
- 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Tilting Screen
- ISO 80 - 12800
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 24-720mm (F3.5-6.4) lens
- 245g - 102 x 58 x 36mm
- Introduced April 2015

Panasonic SZ1 vs Sony HX90V Overview
Here, we will be contrasting the Panasonic SZ1 vs Sony HX90V, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by rivals Panasonic and Sony. The image resolution of the SZ1 (16MP) and the HX90V (18MP) is relatively comparable and both cameras boast the identical sensor sizing (1/2.3").

The SZ1 was released 4 years earlier than the HX90V which is a fairly large gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of these cameras feature the same body design (Compact).
Before delving into a detailed comparison, here is a simple summary of how the SZ1 scores versus the HX90V in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Panasonic SZ1 vs Sony HX90V Gallery
This is a preview of the gallery photos for Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX90V. The complete galleries are provided at Panasonic SZ1 Gallery and Sony HX90V Gallery.
Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ1 over the Sony HX90V
SZ1 | HX90V |
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Reasons to pick Sony HX90V over the Panasonic SZ1
HX90V | SZ1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | April 2015 | ![]() | January 2012 | More modern by 39 months |
Manual focus | ![]() | Dial precise focusing | ||
Screen type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting screen |
Screen resolution | 921k | ![]() | 230k | Clearer screen (+691k dot) |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Take selfies |
Common features in the Panasonic SZ1 and Sony HX90V
SZ1 | HX90V | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen size | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Same screen measurement |
Touch screen | ![]() | Neither includes Touch screen |
Panasonic SZ1 vs Sony HX90V Physical Comparison
In case you're going to carry around your camera frequently, you're going to have to factor its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic SZ1 features outside measurements of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") accompanied by a weight of 131 grams (0.29 lbs) and the Sony HX90V has dimensions of 102mm x 58mm x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.4") and a weight of 245 grams (0.54 lbs).
Look at the Panasonic SZ1 vs Sony HX90V in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you are working with during that time. Below is a front view sizing comparison of the SZ1 and the HX90V.

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the SZ1 and HX90V is 95 and 91 respectively.

Panasonic SZ1 vs Sony HX90V Sensor Comparison
Often, it's tough to picture the contrast in sensor sizes purely by going through technical specs. The picture underneath will help give you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the SZ1 and HX90V.
As you have seen, the 2 cameras come with the identical sensor size albeit different MP. You should count on the Sony HX90V to produce greater detail as a result of its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will allow you to crop pictures a good deal more aggressively. The more aged SZ1 will be disadvantaged in sensor technology.

Panasonic SZ1 vs Sony HX90V Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 vs Sony HX90V Specifications
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX90V | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Panasonic | Sony |
Model | Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX90V |
Class | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Released | 2012-01-09 | 2015-04-14 |
Physical type | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | - | Bionz X |
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 | 16MP | 18MP |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Highest resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4896 x 3672 |
Highest native ISO | 6400 | 12800 |
Minimum native ISO | 100 | 80 |
RAW photos | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch focus | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
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 | 25-250mm (10.0x) | 24-720mm (30.0x) |
Maximal aperture | f/3.1-5.9 | f/3.5-6.4 |
Macro focus range | 4cm | 5cm |
Crop factor | 5.9 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Screen sizing | 3 inch | 3 inch |
Screen resolution | 230 thousand dots | 921 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch friendly | ||
Screen technology | TFT Color LCD | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | Electronic |
Viewfinder resolution | - | 638 thousand dots |
Viewfinder coverage | - | 100% |
Viewfinder magnification | - | 0.5x |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 8 seconds | 30 seconds |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/1600 seconds | 1/2000 seconds |
Continuous shooting rate | 1.0 frames/s | 10.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | - | Yes |
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash range | 5.60 m | 5.40 m (with Auto ISO) |
Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction | Auto, flash on, slow sync, flash off, rear sync |
External flash | ||
AE bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) | 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 30p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (30p) |
Highest video resolution | 1280x720 | 1920x1080 |
Video format | MPEG-4 | AVCHD, XAVC S |
Mic support | ||
Headphone support | ||
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 | ||
Environment sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 131 gr (0.29 lbs) | 245 gr (0.54 lbs) |
Physical dimensions | 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") | 102 x 58 x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.4") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around 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 images | 360 images |
Battery style | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | - | NP-BX1 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes |
Time lapse recording | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo |
Card slots | 1 | 1 |
Launch pricing | $179 | $440 |