Panasonic SZ1 vs Sony WX300
95 Imaging
39 Features
34 Overall
37


94 Imaging
42 Features
38 Overall
40
Panasonic SZ1 vs Sony WX300 Key Specs
(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
- Introduced January 2012
(Full Review)
- 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 80 - 3200
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 25-500mm (F3.5-6.5) lens
- 166g - 96 x 55 x 25mm
- Introduced February 2013
- Newer Model is Sony WX350

Panasonic SZ1 vs Sony WX300 Overview
Below is a in-depth review of the Panasonic SZ1 versus Sony WX300, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by brands Panasonic and Sony. The sensor resolution of the SZ1 (16MP) and the WX300 (18MP) is very comparable and they enjoy the same exact sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

The SZ1 was introduced 13 months prior to the WX300 making the cameras a generation apart from one another. Both cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).
Before going straight into a thorough comparison, below is a simple synopsis of how the SZ1 matches up against the WX300 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Panasonic SZ1 vs Sony WX300 Gallery
This is a sample of the gallery pics for Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX300. The whole galleries are available at Panasonic SZ1 Gallery and Sony WX300 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ1 over the Sony WX300
SZ1 | WX300 |
---|
Reasons to pick Sony WX300 over the Panasonic SZ1
WX300 | SZ1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | February 2013 | ![]() | January 2012 | More recent by 13 months |
Display resolution | 460k | ![]() | 230k | Crisper display (+230k dot) |
Common features in the Panasonic SZ1 and Sony WX300
SZ1 | WX300 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | Lack of manual focusing | ||
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display sizing | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equivalent display sizing |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither includes selfie screen | ||
Touch display | ![]() | Neither includes Touch display |
Panasonic SZ1 vs Sony WX300 Physical Comparison
When you are intending to lug around your camera, you should factor in its weight and measurements. The Panasonic SZ1 features external measurements of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") having a weight of 131 grams (0.29 lbs) and the Sony WX300 has proportions of 96mm x 55mm x 25mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0") and a weight of 166 grams (0.37 lbs).
Compare the Panasonic SZ1 versus Sony WX300 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you use during that time. The following is the front view dimension comparison of the SZ1 and the WX300.

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SZ1 and WX300 is 95 and 94 respectively.

Panasonic SZ1 vs Sony WX300 Sensor Comparison
More often than not, its tough to see the contrast in sensor measurements merely by going through specifications. The visual underneath might offer you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the SZ1 and WX300.
To sum up, the two cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but not the same megapixels. You should expect to see the Sony WX300 to provide greater detail using its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also let you crop images a little more aggressively. The older SZ1 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor innovation.

Panasonic SZ1 vs Sony WX300 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 vs Sony WX300 Specifications
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX300 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Panasonic | Sony |
Model type | Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX300 |
Category | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Introduced | 2012-01-09 | 2013-02-20 |
Body design | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
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 alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 4:3 and 16:9 |
Maximum resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4896 x 3672 |
Maximum native ISO | 6400 | 3200 |
Min native ISO | 100 | 80 |
RAW support | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Touch focus | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detect autofocus | ||
Contract detect autofocus | ||
Phase detect autofocus | ||
Total focus points | 23 | - |
Cross type focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens support | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 25-250mm (10.0x) | 25-500mm (20.0x) |
Highest aperture | f/3.1-5.9 | f/3.5-6.5 |
Macro focusing range | 4cm | - |
Crop factor | 5.9 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display size | 3" | 3" |
Display resolution | 230k dot | 460k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch friendly | ||
Display technology | TFT Color LCD | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 8 secs | 4 secs |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/1600 secs | 1/1600 secs |
Continuous shooting speed | 1.0fps | 10.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Change white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | 5.60 m | 4.30 m |
Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction | - |
Hot shoe | ||
AE bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) | 1920 x 1080 (60, 50 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | 1280x720 | 1920x1080 |
Video data format | 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 | None |
Physical | ||
Environment seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 131g (0.29 lb) | 166g (0.37 lb) |
Dimensions | 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") | 96 x 55 x 25mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around rating | not tested | not tested |
DXO Color Depth rating | not tested | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range rating | not tested | not tested |
DXO Low light rating | not tested | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery life | 250 photographs | - |
Form of battery | Battery Pack | - |
Battery ID | - | NP-BX1 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | - |
Time lapse feature | ||
Storage media | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal | SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
Storage slots | One | One |
Cost at launch | $179 | $330 |