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Panasonic SZ3 vs Sony HX30V

Portability
96
Imaging
40
Features
29
Overall
35
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V front
Portability
90
Imaging
42
Features
50
Overall
45

Panasonic SZ3 vs Sony HX30V Key Specs

Panasonic SZ3
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 126g - 95 x 56 x 22mm
  • Launched January 2013
Sony HX30V
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-500mm (F3.2-5.8) lens
  • 254g - 107 x 62 x 35mm
  • Released February 2012
  • Superseded the Sony HX20V
  • Replacement is Sony HX50V
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Panasonic SZ3 vs Sony HX30V Overview

Here is a thorough analysis of the Panasonic SZ3 versus Sony HX30V, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by companies Panasonic and Sony. The sensor resolution of the SZ3 (16MP) and the HX30V (18MP) is relatively well matched and both cameras boast the identical sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The SZ3 was released 11 months later than the HX30V which means that they are both of a similar generation. Each of these cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before we go right into a in-depth comparison, here is a quick view of how the SZ3 grades vs the HX30V in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ3 over the Sony HX30V

 SZ3 HX30V 
ReleasedJanuary 2013February 2012Fresher by 11 months

Reasons to pick Sony HX30V over the Panasonic SZ3

 HX30V SZ3 
Manual focus Very accurate focusing
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution922k230kCrisper screen (+692k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic SZ3 and Sony HX30V

 SZ3 HX30V 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither features Touch friendly screen

Panasonic SZ3 vs Sony HX30V Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to carry your camera frequently, you will want to factor its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic SZ3 enjoys external measurements of 95mm x 56mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") having a weight of 126 grams (0.28 lbs) whilst the Sony HX30V has dimensions of 107mm x 62mm x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4") having a weight of 254 grams (0.56 lbs).

Take a look at the Panasonic SZ3 versus Sony HX30V in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you select at that moment. Following is a front view scale comparison of the SZ3 against the HX30V.

Panasonic SZ3 vs Sony HX30V size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SZ3 and HX30V is 96 and 90 respectively.

Panasonic SZ3 vs Sony HX30V top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ3 vs Sony HX30V Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is very difficult to see the contrast between sensor sizing merely by checking specs. The visual here will help offer you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the SZ3 and HX30V.

As you can plainly see, both of those cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit not the same megapixels. You should count on the Sony HX30V to give you greater detail as a result of its extra 2MP. Higher resolution can also help you crop shots way more aggressively. The fresher SZ3 is going to have a benefit when it comes to sensor tech.

Panasonic SZ3 vs Sony HX30V sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ3 vs Sony HX30V Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic SZ3 vs Sony HX30V Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony HX30V as a Portrait photography camera
30
decent megapixels (16MP)
lack of manual focus
manual exposure not available
can't use external flash
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
45
has manual focus
decent MP (18 megapixels)
offers face detection focusing
no external flash support
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic SZ3
Street photography with Sony HX30V
64
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors (126g)
screen does not articulate
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
61
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors (254g)
screen is fixed
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 Sports photography advice
Sony HX30V Sports photography advice
41
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
includes tracking autofocus
max frames per second very slow (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
49
long zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (18 megapixels)
offers tracking autofocus
no shutter priority mode
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 Travel photography factors
Sony HX30V Travel photography factors
71
lighter than competitors (126 grams)
decent megapixels (16MP)
built-in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
very long zoom (250mm)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
69
lighter than competitors (254 grams)
decent MP (18 megapixels)
flash built-in
really wide (25mm)
very long reach (500mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
does not offer selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f3.2)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony HX30V as a Landscape photography camera
39
pretty wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
manual exposure not available
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
doesn't have Timelapse recording
50
has manual focus
really wide (25mm)
screen size is decent (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (18 megapixels)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.2)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
does not have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 Vlogging highlights
Sony HX30V Vlogging highlights
31
pretty wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors (126g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have external microphone jack
34
really wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competitors (254g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.2)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
does not have external mic support
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Panasonic SZ3 vs Sony HX30V Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ3 and Sony HX30V
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Sony
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2013-01-07 2012-02-28
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by - BIONZ
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 area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 18 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 4:3 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 4896 x 3672
Maximum native ISO 6400 12800
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 23 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-250mm (10.0x) 25-500mm (20.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.1-5.9 f/3.2-5.8
Macro focusing range 5cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.7" 3"
Screen resolution 230k dots 922k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen technology TFT LCD XtraFine TruBlack TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 1.0 frames per sec 10.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 4.10 m 7.10 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
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
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 126 grams (0.28 lb) 254 grams (0.56 lb)
Physical dimensions 95 x 56 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") 107 x 62 x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 320 photos
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-BG1
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/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Single Single
Launch pricing $150 $420