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Panasonic SZ3 vs Sony HX7V

Portability
96
Imaging
40
Features
29
Overall
35
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX7V front
Portability
92
Imaging
39
Features
37
Overall
38

Panasonic SZ3 vs Sony HX7V Key Specs

Panasonic SZ3
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • 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 HX7V
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 208g - 102 x 58 x 29mm
  • Revealed July 2011
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Panasonic SZ3 vs Sony HX7V Overview

Below is a extended analysis of the Panasonic SZ3 versus Sony HX7V, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by competitors Panasonic and Sony. The image resolution of the SZ3 (16MP) and the HX7V (16MP) is relatively well matched and they enjoy the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The SZ3 was unveiled 18 months later than the HX7V which makes the cameras a generation apart from each other. Both cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before diving straight into a complete comparison, below is a concise introduction of how the SZ3 scores vs the HX7V when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ3 over the Sony HX7V

 SZ3 HX7V 
RevealedJanuary 2013July 2011More recent by 18 months

Reasons to pick Sony HX7V over the Panasonic SZ3

 HX7V SZ3 
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution921k230kClearer screen (+691k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic SZ3 and Sony HX7V

 SZ3 HX7V 
Focus manually Lack of manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Absent Touch friendly screen

Panasonic SZ3 vs Sony HX7V Physical Comparison

For those who are looking to lug around your camera regularly, you have to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic SZ3 provides exterior dimensions of 95mm x 56mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") and a weight of 126 grams (0.28 lbs) while the Sony HX7V has dimensions of 102mm x 58mm x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1") along with a weight of 208 grams (0.46 lbs).

Compare the Panasonic SZ3 versus Sony HX7V in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you choose at that moment. The following is the front view over all size comparison of the SZ3 compared to the HX7V.

Panasonic SZ3 vs Sony HX7V size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the SZ3 and HX7V is 96 and 92 respectively.

Panasonic SZ3 vs Sony HX7V top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ3 vs Sony HX7V Sensor Comparison

Often, it's hard to envision the gap between sensor measurements only by looking at specs. The graphic below will help offer you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the SZ3 and HX7V.

As you can plainly see, the 2 cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing and the exact same megapixels and you can expect similar quality of photos although you would want to consider the launch date of the products into consideration. The newer SZ3 will have an advantage when it comes to sensor innovation.

Panasonic SZ3 vs Sony HX7V sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ3 vs Sony HX7V Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic SZ3 vs Sony HX7V Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 Portrait photography advice
Sony HX7V Portrait photography advice
30
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
lack of manual focus
no manual control
cannot use external flash
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
30
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
manual mode not available
external flash not possible
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 Street photography info
Sony HX7V Street photography info
64
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (126 grams)
no articulating screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 Sports photography info
Sony HX7V Sports photography info
41
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
comes with tracking focus
slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
39
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
no shutter priority
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 Travel photography features
Sony HX7V Travel photography features
71
lighter than competition in class (126 grams)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
has built in flash
rather wide (25mm)
great reach (250mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
67
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
quite wide (25mm)
very long reach (250mm)
lack of Time Lapse function
does not feature selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic SZ3
Landscape photography with Sony HX7V
39
rather wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
lack of manual focus
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
small screen (2.7 inch)
no manual control
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
42
quite wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
manual mode not available
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
lack of Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 Vlogging advice
Sony HX7V Vlogging advice
31
rather wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (126 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
screen is not selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have mic port
32
quite wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
does not feature selfie friendly display
lack of external mic port
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Panasonic SZ3 vs Sony HX7V Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ3 and Sony HX7V
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX7V
General Information
Company Panasonic Sony
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX7V
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Released 2013-01-07 2011-07-19
Body design 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 16MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 4:3 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Min native ISO 100 125
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 23 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-250mm (10.0x) 25-250mm (10.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.1-5.9 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focusing range 5cm -
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 2.7 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 230k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology TFT LCD XtraFine LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shutter speed 1.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 4.10 m 4.80 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance 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 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 126 grams (0.28 lbs) 208 grams (0.46 lbs)
Dimensions 95 x 56 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") 102 x 58 x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1")
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 images -
Battery form Battery Pack -
Battery ID - NP-BG1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
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
Storage slots One One
Pricing at release $150 $499