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Panasonic SZ1 vs Sony WX80

Portability
95
Imaging
39
Features
34
Overall
37
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX80 front
Portability
96
Imaging
39
Features
38
Overall
38

Panasonic SZ1 vs Sony WX80 Key Specs

Panasonic SZ1
(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
  • Introduced January 2012
Sony WX80
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200 (Boost to 12800)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-224mm (F3.3-8.0) lens
  • 124g - 92 x 52 x 22mm
  • Released January 2013
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Panasonic SZ1 vs Sony WX80 Overview

Its time to look more closely at the Panasonic SZ1 and Sony WX80, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by brands Panasonic and Sony. The sensor resolution of the SZ1 (16MP) and the WX80 (16MP) is relatively similar and they use the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The SZ1 was introduced 12 months earlier than the WX80 so they are both of a similar generation. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before diving through a step-by-step comparison, below is a short highlight of how the SZ1 scores against the WX80 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ1 over the Sony WX80

 SZ1 WX80 
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")

Reasons to pick Sony WX80 over the Panasonic SZ1

 WX80 SZ1 
ReleasedJanuary 2013January 2012More recent by 12 months

Common features in the Panasonic SZ1 and Sony WX80

 SZ1 WX80 
Manual focus Lack of manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kEqual screen resolution
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither provides Touch friendly screen

Panasonic SZ1 vs Sony WX80 Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to lug around your camera frequently, you need to factor its weight and proportions. The Panasonic SZ1 provides physical dimensions 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 WX80 has measurements of 92mm x 52mm x 22mm (3.6" x 2.0" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 124 grams (0.27 lbs).

Analyze the Panasonic SZ1 and Sony WX80 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you have during that time. Here is the front view physical size comparison of the SZ1 versus the WX80.

Panasonic SZ1 vs Sony WX80 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SZ1 and WX80 is 95 and 96 respectively.

Panasonic SZ1 vs Sony WX80 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ1 vs Sony WX80 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is difficult to imagine the contrast between sensor measurements only by going over a spec sheet. The graphic underneath will give you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the SZ1 and WX80.

Clearly, both of the cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing and the same megapixels so you should expect similar quality of images but you need to factor the production date of the products into consideration. The older SZ1 is going to be behind in sensor tech.

Panasonic SZ1 vs Sony WX80 sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ1 vs Sony WX80 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic SZ1 vs Sony WX80 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 Portrait photography information
Sony WX80 Portrait photography information
34
good MP (16MP)
features face detection autofocus
focusing manually not possible
manual mode not possible
no external flash support
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
34
decent megapixels (16MP)
has face detect focus
lack of manual focus
manual mode not possible
no external flash support
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 as a Street photography camera
Sony WX80 as a Street photography camera
63
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (131 grams)
no articulating screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
67
has image stabilization (Optical)
comes with focus via touch
lighter than others (124 grams)
screen does not articulate
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 Sports photography features
Sony WX80 Sports photography features
40
has image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16MP)
features tracking autofocus
max frames per second very slow (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
44
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16MP)
has tracking focus
lack of shutter priority mode
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 Travel photography information
Sony WX80 Travel photography information
70
lighter than competition (131 grams)
good MP (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
quite wide (25mm)
long reach (250mm)
lack of Time Lapse mode
display is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.1)
71
lighter than others (124g)
comes with focus via touch
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
rather wide (28mm)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 Landscape photography information
Sony WX80 Landscape photography information
43
quite wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16MP)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
manual mode not possible
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
lack of Time Lapse mode
38
rather wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is small (2.7")
manual mode not possible
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
doesn't have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 Vlogging information
Sony WX80 Vlogging information
32
quite wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
features face detection autofocus
lighter than competition (131 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
display is not selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of external mic socket
35
rather wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than others (124 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
doesn't have microphone port
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Panasonic SZ1 vs Sony WX80 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ1 and Sony WX80
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX80
General Information
Make Panasonic Sony
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX80
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2012-01-09 2013-01-08
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor - BIONZ
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 16MP
Anti alias 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
Highest boosted ISO - 12800
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 23 -
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-250mm (10.0x) 28-224mm (8.0x)
Max aperture f/3.1-5.9 f/3.3-8.0
Macro focusing range 4cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen tech TFT Color LCD TFT LCD display
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
Manually set exposure
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 5.60 m 4.20 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync, Advanced Flash
Hot shoe
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) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (60, 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
Microphone 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
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 131 gr (0.29 lbs) 124 gr (0.27 lbs)
Dimensions 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") 92 x 52 x 22mm (3.6" x 2.0" x 0.9")
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 photos 240 photos
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-BN
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse shooting
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
Cost at launch $179 $276