Panasonic SZ3 vs Sony W230
96 Imaging
39 Features
29 Overall
35


95 Imaging
34 Features
25 Overall
30
Panasonic SZ3 vs Sony W230 Key Specs
(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
- Introduced January 2013
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 3200
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 640 x 480 video
- 30-120mm (F2.8-5.8) lens
- 156g - 95 x 57 x 22mm
- Revealed February 2009

Panasonic SZ3 vs Sony W230 Overview
Let's look a bit more closely at the Panasonic SZ3 versus Sony W230, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by competitors Panasonic and Sony. There exists a considerable gap between the image resolutions of the SZ3 (16MP) and W230 (12MP) but both cameras have the identical sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

The SZ3 was brought out 3 years later than the W230 and that is quite a large difference as far as technology is concerned. Both the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).
Before diving right into a complete comparison, here is a brief highlight of how the SZ3 grades vs the W230 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Panasonic SZ3 vs Sony W230 Gallery
Following is a preview of the gallery photos for Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3 & Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230. The entire galleries are available at Panasonic SZ3 Gallery & Sony W230 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ3 over the Sony W230
SZ3 | W230 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | January 2013 | ![]() | February 2009 | More recent by 48 months |
Reasons to pick Sony W230 over the Panasonic SZ3
W230 | SZ3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | Dial precise focusing | ||
Screen size | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
Common features in the Panasonic SZ3 and Sony W230
SZ3 | W230 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | Identical screen resolution |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither features selfie screen | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Lacking Touch screen |
Panasonic SZ3 vs Sony W230 Physical Comparison
If you are aiming to lug around your camera regularly, you will have to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic SZ3 enjoys physical dimensions of 95mm x 56mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") having a weight of 126 grams (0.28 lbs) while the Sony W230 has dimensions of 95mm x 57mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") with a weight of 156 grams (0.34 lbs).
Compare the Panasonic SZ3 versus Sony W230 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are utilizing at the time. Underneath is a front view size comparison of the SZ3 and the W230.

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SZ3 and W230 is 96 and 95 respectively.

Panasonic SZ3 vs Sony W230 Sensor Comparison
Quite often, it is tough to imagine the gap between sensor measurements only by reading through technical specs. The graphic below might provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the SZ3 and W230.
As you have seen, each of these cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit different MP. You can count on the Panasonic SZ3 to resolve more detail having its extra 4MP. Higher resolution can also help you crop shots way more aggressively. The newer SZ3 provides a benefit with regard to sensor tech.

Panasonic SZ3 vs Sony W230 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 vs Sony W230 Specifications
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Panasonic | Sony |
Model | Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230 |
Type | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Compact |
Introduced | 2013-01-07 | 2009-02-17 |
Body design | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Sensor type | CCD | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor dimensions | 6.08 x 4.56mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
Sensor surface area | 27.7mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16MP | 12MP |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | - | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Maximum resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4000 x 3000 |
Maximum native ISO | 6400 | 3200 |
Lowest native ISO | 100 | 80 |
RAW pictures | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
AF touch | ||
Continuous AF | ||
AF single | ||
AF tracking | ||
AF selectice | ||
AF center weighted | ||
AF multi area | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detection AF | ||
Contract detection AF | ||
Phase detection AF | ||
Number of focus points | 23 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 25-250mm (10.0x) | 30-120mm (4.0x) |
Max aperture | f/3.1-5.9 | f/2.8-5.8 |
Macro focus distance | 5cm | 4cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.9 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen diagonal | 2.7 inch | 3 inch |
Screen resolution | 230 thousand dot | 230 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch display | ||
Screen technology | TFT LCD | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 60 secs | 1 secs |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/1600 secs | 1/1600 secs |
Continuous shooting speed | 1.0 frames per second | 2.0 frames per second |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Change WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash range | 4.10 m | 3.90 m |
Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync |
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) | 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | 1280x720 | 640x480 |
Video file format | Motion JPEG | Motion JPEG |
Mic input | ||
Headphone input | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental seal | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 126g (0.28 pounds) | 156g (0.34 pounds) |
Physical dimensions | 95 x 56 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") | 95 x 57 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") |
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 shots | - |
Style of battery | Battery Pack | - |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal | Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal |
Storage slots | 1 | 1 |
Price at launch | $150 | $180 |