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Panasonic SZ1 vs Sony WX300

Portability
95
Imaging
39
Features
34
Overall
37
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX300 front
Portability
94
Imaging
42
Features
38
Overall
40

Panasonic SZ1 vs Sony WX300 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
  • Introduced January 2012
Sony WX300
(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
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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").

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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.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ1 over the Sony WX300

 SZ1 WX300 

Reasons to pick Sony WX300 over the Panasonic SZ1

 WX300 SZ1 
IntroducedFebruary 2013January 2012More recent by 13 months
Display resolution460k230kCrisper display (+230k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic SZ1 and Sony WX300

 SZ1 WX300 
Manually focus Lack of manual focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Panasonic SZ1 vs Sony WX300 size comparison

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

Panasonic SZ1 vs Sony WX300 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ1 vs Sony WX300 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic SZ1 vs Sony WX300 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic SZ1
Portrait photography with Sony WX300
34
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
has face detect autofocus
focusing manually not possible
lack of manual exposure
can't use external flash
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
36
good MP (18MP)
features face detection focusing
no manual focus
manual mode not available
no external flash support
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 as a Street photography camera
Sony WX300 as a Street photography camera
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (131 grams)
screen is fixed
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
63
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (166 grams)
fixed screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 Sports photography advice
Sony WX300 Sports photography advice
40
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16MP)
has tracking focus
max frames per second low (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
49
great zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (18MP)
features tracking autofocus
no shutter priority mode
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 Travel photography info
Sony WX300 Travel photography info
70
lighter than others (131 grams)
good megapixels (16MP)
flash built-in
fairly wide (25mm)
very long reach (250mm)
lack of Timelapse mode
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
71
lighter than average (166g)
good MP (18 megapixels)
has built in flash
relatively wide (25mm)
great reach (500mm)
missing Time Lapse recording
doesn't have selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony WX300 as a Landscape photography camera
43
fairly wide (25mm)
good sized screen (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16MP)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
lack of manual exposure
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
lack of Timelapse mode
44
relatively wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (18 megapixels)
no manual focus
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
manual mode not available
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW files
missing Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic SZ1
Vlogging with Sony WX300
32
fairly wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect autofocus
lighter than others (131 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
display is not selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of microphone support
35
relatively wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
features face detection focusing
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than average (166 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
missing external mic port
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Panasonic SZ1 vs Sony WX300 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ1 and Sony WX300
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1Sony 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