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Panasonic SZ3 vs Sony W230

Portability
96
Imaging
39
Features
29
Overall
35
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230 front
Portability
95
Imaging
34
Features
25
Overall
30

Panasonic SZ3 vs Sony W230 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
  • Introduced January 2013
Sony W230
(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
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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").

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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.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ3 over the Sony W230

 SZ3 W230 
RevealedJanuary 2013February 2009More recent by 48 months

Reasons to pick Sony W230 over the Panasonic SZ3

 W230 SZ3 
Manually focus Dial precise focusing
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")

Common features in the Panasonic SZ3 and Sony W230

 SZ3 W230 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kIdentical 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Panasonic SZ3 vs Sony W230 size comparison

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

Panasonic SZ3 vs Sony W230 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ3 vs Sony W230 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic SZ3 vs Sony W230 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 Portrait photography advice
Sony W230 Portrait photography advice
30
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
manual focus not available
manual mode not available
external flash not possible
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
27
has manual focus
manual exposure not available
can't use external flash
MP count low (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic SZ3
Street photography with Sony W230
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (126 grams)
screen does not articulate
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
56
image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 Sports photography advice
Sony W230 Sports photography advice
40
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
offers tracking autofocus
slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
25
image stabilization (Optical)
continuous shooting slow (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
MP count low (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic SZ3
Travel photography with Sony W230
71
lighter than others in class (126g)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
built-in flash
really wide (25mm)
great zoom (250mm)
does not have Time Lapse function
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
51
has built in flash
no Time Lapse function
MP count low (12MP)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
wide angle not good (30mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 Landscape photography highlights
Sony W230 Landscape photography highlights
38
really wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
screen is small (2.7 inches)
manual mode not available
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
does not have Time Lapse function
36
has manual focus
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (30mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
manual exposure not available
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
no Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 Vlogging features
Sony W230 Vlogging features
31
really wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (126 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have external mic support
25
image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not good (30mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
video resolution low (640 x 480 resolution)
no external mic jack
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Panasonic SZ3 vs Sony W230 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ3 and Sony W230
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3Sony 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