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Panasonic SZ3 vs Sony WX50

Portability
96
Imaging
39
Features
29
Overall
35
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX50 front
Portability
96
Imaging
38
Features
36
Overall
37

Panasonic SZ3 vs Sony WX50 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
  • Announced January 2013
Sony WX50
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-125mm (F2.6-6.3) lens
  • 117g - 92 x 52 x 19mm
  • Introduced January 2012
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Panasonic SZ3 vs Sony WX50 Overview

Here, we are evaluating the Panasonic SZ3 and Sony WX50, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by brands Panasonic and Sony. The resolution of the SZ3 (16MP) and the WX50 (16MP) is very close and both cameras have the identical sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The SZ3 was unveiled 12 months after the WX50 and they are of a similar generation. Both the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before delving into a in depth comparison, here is a quick highlight of how the SZ3 grades versus the WX50 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Photography Glossary

        

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ3 over the Sony WX50

 SZ3 WX50 
IntroducedJanuary 2013January 2012Newer by 12 months

Reasons to pick Sony WX50 over the Panasonic SZ3

 WX50 SZ3 
Display resolution461k230kCrisper display (+231k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic SZ3 and Sony WX50

 SZ3 WX50 
Manually focus No manual focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display size2.7"2.7"Same display dimensions
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch friendly display No Touch friendly display

Panasonic SZ3 vs Sony WX50 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is intending to travel with your camera, you're going to have to think about its weight and size. The Panasonic SZ3 comes with external dimensions of 95mm x 56mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") having a weight of 126 grams (0.28 lbs) and the Sony WX50 has specifications of 92mm x 52mm x 19mm (3.6" x 2.0" x 0.7") and a weight of 117 grams (0.26 lbs).

Examine the Panasonic SZ3 and Sony WX50 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are working with at that time. Underneath is a front view physical size comparison of the SZ3 vs the WX50.

Panasonic SZ3 vs Sony WX50 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the SZ3 and WX50 is 96 and 96 respectively.

Panasonic SZ3 vs Sony WX50 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ3 vs Sony WX50 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is very difficult to envision the contrast in sensor dimensions just by researching specs. The picture below should offer you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the SZ3 and WX50.

All in all, the 2 cameras feature the identical sensor size and the same exact resolution and you should expect comparable quality of photos although you should always consider the release date of the cameras into account. The more modern SZ3 is going to have an advantage when it comes to sensor technology.

Panasonic SZ3 vs Sony WX50 sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ3 vs Sony WX50 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic SZ3 vs Sony WX50 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony WX50 as a Portrait photography camera
30
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
manual exposure not available
can't use external flash
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
34
MP count good (16 megapixels)
has face detect focusing
no manual focus
manual mode not available
cannot use external flash
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic SZ3
Street photography with Sony WX50
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (126g)
fixed screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (117 grams)
no articulating screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic SZ3
Sports photography with Sony WX50
40
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
provides tracking autofocus
max frames per second low (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
44
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
has tracking focus
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 Travel photography details
Sony WX50 Travel photography details
71
lighter than competitors in class (126 grams)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
quite wide (25mm)
long reach (250mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
68
lighter than competition (117 grams)
MP count good (16MP)
flash built-in
decently wide (25mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
does not have a selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.6)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic SZ3
Landscape photography with Sony WX50
38
quite wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
manual exposure not available
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
38
decently wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.6)
tiny screen (2.7")
manual mode not available
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
does not have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 Vlogging advice
Sony WX50 Vlogging advice
31
quite wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (126 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
display is not selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have external mic socket
35
decently wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition (117g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.6)
does not have a selfie friendly display
does not have mic socket
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Panasonic SZ3 vs Sony WX50 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ3 and Sony WX50
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX50
General Information
Make Panasonic Sony
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX50
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2013-01-07 2012-01-30
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - 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 surface area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 4:3 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 6400 12800
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 23 -
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-250mm (10.0x) 25-125mm (5.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.1-5.9 f/2.6-6.3
Macro focusing range 5cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 2.7" 2.7"
Display resolution 230k dots 461k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display technology TFT LCD Clearfoto TFT LCD display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 secs 4 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shutter rate 1.0 frames per second 10.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 4.10 m 5.30 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 126g (0.28 pounds) 117g (0.26 pounds)
Physical dimensions 95 x 56 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") 92 x 52 x 19mm (3.6" x 2.0" x 0.7")
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 photos 240 photos
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-BN
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Card slots 1 1
Price at release $150 $250