Clicky

Panasonic SZ3 vs Sony HX80

Portability
96
Imaging
39
Features
29
Overall
35
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX80 front
Portability
91
Imaging
43
Features
60
Overall
49

Panasonic SZ3 vs Sony HX80 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
  • Revealed January 2013
Sony HX80
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200 (Raise to 12800)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.5-6.4) lens
  • 245g - 102 x 58 x 36mm
  • Announced March 2016
Photography Glossary

Panasonic SZ3 vs Sony HX80 Overview

Let's look more closely at the Panasonic SZ3 versus Sony HX80, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by manufacturers Panasonic and Sony. The resolution of the SZ3 (16MP) and the HX80 (18MP) is relatively similar and both cameras offer the same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

The SZ3 was revealed 4 years earlier than the HX80 which is quite a big gap as far as tech is concerned. The two cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before going right into a in depth comparison, here is a short summary of how the SZ3 scores versus the HX80 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

        

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ3 over the Sony HX80

 SZ3 HX80 

Reasons to pick Sony HX80 over the Panasonic SZ3

 HX80 SZ3 
AnnouncedMarch 2016January 2013Newer by 38 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution921k230kClearer screen (+691k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Common features in the Panasonic SZ3 and Sony HX80

 SZ3 HX80 
Manual focus No manual focus
Touch screen Neither comes with Touch screen

Panasonic SZ3 vs Sony HX80 Physical Comparison

If you are planning to travel with your camera, you need to factor its weight and proportions. The Panasonic SZ3 comes with physical 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) while the Sony HX80 has measurements of 102mm x 58mm x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.4") having a weight of 245 grams (0.54 lbs).

Check out the Panasonic SZ3 versus Sony HX80 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you have chosen at that moment. Underneath is a front view dimensions comparison of the SZ3 compared to the HX80.

Panasonic SZ3 vs Sony HX80 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the SZ3 and HX80 is 96 and 91 respectively.

Panasonic SZ3 vs Sony HX80 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ3 vs Sony HX80 Sensor Comparison

Generally, its tough to visualize the contrast between sensor dimensions only by going over specifications. The picture underneath will help give you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the SZ3 and HX80.

Plainly, both the cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit different MP. You should count on the Sony HX80 to deliver greater detail because of its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will allow you to crop shots more aggressively. The more aged SZ3 is going to be behind in sensor tech.

Panasonic SZ3 vs Sony HX80 sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ3 vs Sony HX80 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic SZ3 vs Sony HX80 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic SZ3
Portrait photography with Sony HX80
30
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
manual mode not available
can't use external flash
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
39
resolution is good (18 megapixels)
includes face detection autofocus
no manual focus
cannot use external flash
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Street Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 Street photography factors
Sony HX80 Street photography factors
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (126 grams)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
69
has a tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors (245 grams)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Sports Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 Sports photography info
Sony HX80 Sports photography info
40
image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
offers tracking autofocus
continuous shooting slow (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
57
amazing zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (18 megapixels)
includes tracking autofocus
good battery power (390 shots)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Travel Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 Travel photography details
Sony HX80 Travel photography details
71
lighter than competitors in class (126 grams)
good megapixels (16MP)
built-in flash
relatively wide (25mm)
very long reach (250mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
76
good battery power (390 per charge)
lighter than competitors (245 grams)
resolution is good (18 megapixels)
flash built-in
display is selfie friendly
fairly wide (24mm)
great zoom (720mm)
missing Timelapse recording
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Landscape Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 Landscape photography highlights
Sony HX80 Landscape photography highlights
38
relatively wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
screen is small (2.7")
manual mode not available
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
49
fairly wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (18 megapixels)
good battery power (390 shots)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
missing Timelapse recording
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic SZ3
Vlogging with Sony HX80
31
relatively wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (126 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
display is not selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have external mic port
75
fairly wide (24mm)
display is selfie friendly
built in image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detection autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competitors (245 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
missing external microphone socket
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Panasonic SZ3 vs Sony HX80 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ3 and Sony HX80
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX80
General Information
Brand Panasonic Sony
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX80
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2013-01-07 2016-03-07
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip - Bionz X
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 18MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 4896 x 3672
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Maximum boosted ISO - 12800
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 23 -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-250mm (10.0x) 24-720mm (30.0x)
Max aperture f/3.1-5.9 f/3.5-6.4
Macro focus range 5cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Tilting
Display sizing 2.7" 3"
Display resolution 230 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display tech TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 1.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 4.10 m 5.40 m (with Auto ISO)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, on, slow sync, off, rear sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 30p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (30p)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
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 None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 126 gr (0.28 lbs) 245 gr (0.54 lbs)
Physical dimensions 95 x 56 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") 102 x 58 x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.4")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 250 images 390 images
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - NP-BX1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal Memory Stick PRO Duo/Pro-HG Duo; SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Single Single
Cost at launch $150 $368