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Panasonic SZ1 vs Sony W730

Portability
95
Imaging
39
Features
34
Overall
37
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W730 front
Portability
96
Imaging
40
Features
33
Overall
37

Panasonic SZ1 vs Sony W730 Key Specs

Panasonic SZ1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • 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
Sony W730
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-224mm (F3.3-6.3) lens
  • 122g - 93 x 52 x 22mm
  • Released January 2013
Photography Glossary

Panasonic SZ1 vs Sony W730 Overview

Lets take a more detailed look at the Panasonic SZ1 versus Sony W730, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by manufacturers Panasonic and Sony. The resolution of the SZ1 (16MP) and the W730 (16MP) is very similar and they possess the same exact sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The SZ1 was announced 12 months prior to the W730 so they are both of a similar generation. Both of the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before we go through a thorough comparison, below is a short introduction of how the SZ1 matches up vs the W730 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ1 over the Sony W730

 SZ1 W730 
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")

Reasons to pick Sony W730 over the Panasonic SZ1

 W730 SZ1 
ReleasedJanuary 2013January 2012Fresher by 12 months
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Panasonic SZ1 and Sony W730

 SZ1 W730 
Manually focus No manual focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kThe same display resolution
Selfie screen No selfie screen

Panasonic SZ1 vs Sony W730 Physical Comparison

If you're looking to carry your camera frequently, you're going to have to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic SZ1 enjoys external dimensions of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") accompanied by a weight of 131 grams (0.29 lbs) while the Sony W730 has dimensions of 93mm x 52mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.0" x 0.9") having a weight of 122 grams (0.27 lbs).

See the Panasonic SZ1 versus Sony W730 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you select during that time. Below is the front view physical size comparison of the SZ1 and the W730.

Panasonic SZ1 vs Sony W730 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SZ1 and W730 is 95 and 96 respectively.

Panasonic SZ1 vs Sony W730 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ1 vs Sony W730 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it can be difficult to envision the difference between sensor sizing merely by reading a spec sheet. The visual below will offer you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the SZ1 and W730.

Clearly, both of those cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing and the identical megapixels so you should expect similar quality of photographs but you need to take the release date of the products into consideration. The older SZ1 is going to be behind in sensor tech.

Panasonic SZ1 vs Sony W730 sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ1 vs Sony W730 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic SZ1 vs Sony W730 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 Portrait photography details
Sony W730 Portrait photography details
34
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
offers face detect focusing
lack of manual focus
no manual control
can't use external flash
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
35
good resolution (16 megapixels)
includes face detect focus
lack of manual focus
no manual mode
can't use external flash
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 Street photography info
Sony W730 Street photography info
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (131g)
fixed screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
67
image stabilization (Optical)
boasts focus by touch
lighter than others (122g)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 Sports photography advice
Sony W730 Sports photography advice
40
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
offers tracking focus
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
41
image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
includes tracking focus
low frames per second (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 as a Travel photography camera
Sony W730 as a Travel photography camera
70
lighter than competition (131g)
decent megapixels (16MP)
has built in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
great zoom (250mm)
no Timelapse mode
does not have selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f3.1)
71
lighter than others (122g)
boasts focus by touch
good resolution (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
relatively wide (25mm)
missing Timelapse function
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony W730 as a Landscape photography camera
43
pretty wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
no manual control
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
no Timelapse mode
39
relatively wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
small screen (2.7")
no manual mode
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
missing Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 Vlogging factors
Sony W730 Vlogging factors
32
pretty wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detect focusing
lighter than competition (131 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
does not have selfie friendly screen
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
no microphone jack
34
relatively wide (25mm)
touchscreen enabled
image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detect focus
lighter than others (122g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
display isn't selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing microphone port
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Panasonic SZ1 vs Sony W730 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ1 and Sony W730
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W730
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Sony
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W730
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Released 2012-01-09 2013-01-08
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 6400 3200
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 23 -
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-250mm (10.0x) 25-224mm (9.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.1-5.9 f/3.3-6.3
Macro focus range 4cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3" 2.7"
Display resolution 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display tech TFT Color LCD TFT LCD display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 8 seconds 2 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 1.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 5.60 m 2.80 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync, Advanced Flash
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance 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) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 131g (0.29 pounds) 122g (0.27 pounds)
Dimensions 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") 93 x 52 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.0" x 0.9")
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 photos 240 photos
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - NP-BN
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/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots One One
Retail pricing $179 $138