Clicky

Panasonic SZ3 vs Sony HX50V

Portability
96 Imaging
39 Features
29 Overall
35
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX50V front
Portability
89 Imaging
44 Features
57 Overall
49

Panasonic SZ3 vs Sony HX50V 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
  • Released January 2013
Sony HX50V
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200 (Expand to 12800)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.5 - 6.3) lens
  • 272g - 108 x 64 x 38mm
  • Launched April 2013
  • Replaced the Sony HX30V
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Panasonic SZ3 vs Sony HX50V Overview

Here is a in-depth assessment of the Panasonic SZ3 and Sony HX50V, 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 HX50V (20MP) is pretty comparable and they enjoy the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The SZ3 was manufactured 3 months before the HX50V and they are both of a similar generation. Each of the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before diving straight into a detailed comparison, below is a short view of how the SZ3 scores vs the HX50V with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone 

        

          

            
Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ3 over the Sony HX50V

          

          

            
 SZ3 HX50V 
          

        


        

          

            
Reasons to pick Sony HX50V over the Panasonic SZ3

          

          

            
 HX50V SZ3 
Manually focus  Very accurate focusing
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution921k230kSharper screen (+691k dot)
          

        


        

          

            
Common features in the Panasonic SZ3 and Sony HX50V

          

          

            
 SZ3 HX50V 
LaunchedJanuary 2013April 2013Same generation
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen  Absent selfie screen
Touch screen  Neither contains Touch screen
          

        

        

	
	
	
	

        

          

            
Panasonic SZ3 vs Sony HX50V Physical Comparison

          

          

            
If you're going to carry your camera regularly, you will need to consider its weight and measurements. The Panasonic SZ3 has got outer measurements of 95mm x 56mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 126 grams (0.28 lbs) whilst the Sony HX50V has proportions of 108mm x 64mm x 38mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.5") having a weight of 272 grams (0.60 lbs).
Compare the Panasonic SZ3 and Sony HX50V in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses
Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you have attached at that moment. Following is the front view over all size comparison of the SZ3 vs the HX50V.
Panasonic SZ3 vs Sony HX50V size comparison
Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the SZ3 and HX50V is 96 and 89 respectively.
Panasonic SZ3 vs Sony HX50V top view buttons comparison          

        


        

          

            
Panasonic SZ3 vs Sony HX50V Sensor Comparison

          

          

            
In many cases, it's tough to envision the gap in sensor sizing only by seeing technical specs. The visual underneath might provide you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the SZ3 and HX50V.
As you have seen, the 2 cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same resolution. You should expect the Sony HX50V to produce extra detail due to its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will enable you to crop shots a little more aggressively.

            Panasonic SZ3 vs Sony HX50V sensor size comparison
          

        


        

          

            
Panasonic SZ3 vs Sony HX50V Screen and ViewFinder

          

          

                      

          Panasonic SZ3 vs Sony HX50V Screen and Viewfinder comparison        


                Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images        

	
	
	
	

        

          
Photography Type Scores

          

        

        
Portrait Comparison
Panasonic SZ3 Portrait photography highlights
Sony HX50V Portrait photography highlights
30
 decent MP (16 megapixels)
 no manual focus
 no manual control
 no external flash support
 sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
 lacks RAW format
50
 you can focus manually
 sensor resolution is decent (20 megapixels)
 features face detect focusing
 sensor  is very small (1/2.3")
 lack of RAW format
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards
Street Comparison
Panasonic SZ3 Street photography info
Sony HX50V Street photography info
63
 image stabilization (Optical)
 lighter than competition (126 grams)
 screen does not articulate
 sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
 lacks RAW format
61
 image stabilization (Optical)
 lighter than average in class (272g)
 screen is fixed
 sensor  is very small (1/2.3")
 lack of RAW format
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms
Sports Comparison
Panasonic SZ3 Sports photography details
Sony HX50V Sports photography details
40
 image stabilization (Optical)
 decent MP (16MP)
 includes tracking autofocus
 low fps (1.0 frames/s)
 lack of shutter priority mode
 sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
 lacks phase detect auto focus
57
 excellent zoom range (24-720mm  30.0 x zoom)
 image stabilization (Optical)
 sensor resolution is decent (20MP)
 features tracking focus
 good battery pack (400 CIPA)
 sensor  is very small (1/2.3")
 lack of phase detect AF
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban
Travel Comparison
Panasonic SZ3 Travel photography advice
Sony HX50V Travel photography advice
71
 lighter than competition (126g)
 decent MP (16MP)
 flash built-in
 reasonably wide (25mm)
 long reach (250mm)
 lack of Time Lapse recording
 doesn't have selfie friendly screen
 somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
71
 good battery pack (400 per charge)
 lighter than average in class (272g)
 sensor resolution is decent (20 megapixels)
 flash built-in
 reasonably wide (24mm)
 long reach (720mm)
 no Timelapse function
 screen is not selfie friendly
 somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5 )
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month
Landscape Comparison
 Panasonic SZ3 as a Landscape photography camera
 Sony HX50V as a Landscape photography camera
38
 reasonably wide (25mm)
 image stabilization (Optical)
 decent MP (16MP)
 no manual focus
 can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
 somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
 small screen (2.7")
 no manual control
 sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
 lacks RAW format
 lack of Time Lapse recording
53
 you can focus manually
 reasonably wide (24mm)
 screen size is good (3 inch)
 image stabilization (Optical)
 sensor resolution is decent (20MP)
 good battery pack (400 shots)
 lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
 somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5 )
 sensor  is very small (1/2.3")
 lack of RAW format
 no Timelapse function
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video
Vlogging Comparison
Panasonic SZ3 Vlogging highlights
Sony HX50V Vlogging highlights
31
 reasonably wide (25mm)
 image stabilization (Optical)
 lighter than competition (126g)
 somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
 doesn't have selfie friendly screen
 low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
 lack of external mic port
34
 reasonably wide (24mm)
 image stabilization (Optical)
 features face detect focusing
 video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
 lighter than average in class (272g)
 somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5 )
 screen is not selfie friendly
 no microphone socket
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide
        
                
        

          

            
Panasonic SZ3 vs Sony HX50V Specifications

          

          

                      


          

            Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ3 and Sony HX50V
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX50V
General Information
Brand Panasonic Sony
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX50V
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2013-01-07 2013-04-24
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
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 16 megapixels 20 megapixels
Anti alias filter    
Aspect ratio - 4:3 and  16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 5184 x 2920
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Maximum enhanced ISO - 12800
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW files    
Autofocusing
Focus manually    
Touch to focus    
AF continuous    
Single AF    
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 -
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-250mm (10.0x) 24-720mm (30.0x)
Max aperture f/3.1-5.9 f/3.5 - 6.3
Macro focusing distance 5cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.7 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly    
Liveview    
Touch function    
Screen tech TFT LCD XtraFine LCD display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic (optional)
Features
Min shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 1.0 frames per second 10.0 frames per second
Shutter priority    
Aperture priority    
Manual mode    
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom WB    
Image stabilization    
Built-in flash    
Flash distance 4.10 m 5.60 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync, Rear Sync, Advanced Flash
External flash    
Auto exposure bracketing    
WB bracketing    
Exposure
Multisegment    
Average    
Spot    
Partial    
AF area    
Center weighted    
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 1280 x 720 (30fps), 640 x 480 (30fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone port    
Headphone port    
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) 272 grams (0.60 lb)
Dimensions 95 x 56 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") 108 x 64 x 38mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.5")
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 pictures 400 pictures
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-BX1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
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
Card slots One One
Launch pricing $150 $439