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Panasonic SZ5 vs Panasonic SZ8

Portability
95
Imaging
38
Features
34
Overall
36
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 front
Portability
94
Imaging
40
Features
31
Overall
36

Panasonic SZ5 vs Panasonic SZ8 Key Specs

Panasonic SZ5
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Raise to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 136g - 104 x 58 x 21mm
  • Revealed July 2012
Panasonic SZ8
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Push to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-288mm (F3.1-6.3) lens
  • 159g - 100 x 60 x 27mm
  • Released January 2014
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Panasonic SZ5 vs Panasonic SZ8 Overview

Here, we will be comparing the Panasonic SZ5 versus Panasonic SZ8, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both of them are offered by Panasonic. The image resolution of the SZ5 (14MP) and the SZ8 (16MP) is pretty comparable and both cameras boast the identical sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The SZ5 was revealed 17 months earlier than the SZ8 which makes them a generation away from each other. Both cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before diving into a comprehensive comparison, here is a simple summation of how the SZ5 grades versus the SZ8 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ5 over the Panasonic SZ8

 SZ5 SZ8 

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ8 over the Panasonic SZ5

 SZ8 SZ5 
ReleasedJanuary 2014July 2012Newer by 17 months
Screen resolution460k230kSharper screen (+230k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic SZ5 and Panasonic SZ8

 SZ5 SZ8 
Manual focus No manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen measurement
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch screen Lack of Touch screen

Panasonic SZ5 vs Panasonic SZ8 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is intending to travel with your camera regularly, you'll have to factor its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic SZ5 has got outer measurements of 104mm x 58mm x 21mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 0.8") along with a weight of 136 grams (0.30 lbs) while the Panasonic SZ8 has dimensions of 100mm x 60mm x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") along with a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs).

Contrast the Panasonic SZ5 versus Panasonic SZ8 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you have at the time. Following is a front view measurement comparison of the SZ5 compared to the SZ8.

Panasonic SZ5 vs Panasonic SZ8 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the SZ5 and SZ8 is 95 and 94 respectively.

Panasonic SZ5 vs Panasonic SZ8 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ5 vs Panasonic SZ8 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is hard to envision the difference in sensor dimensions just by going through technical specs. The pic below will provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the SZ5 and SZ8.

As you can tell, both cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit not the same resolution. You should expect the Panasonic SZ8 to produce greater detail because of its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop photographs way more aggressively. The more aged SZ5 will be behind when it comes to sensor technology.

Panasonic SZ5 vs Panasonic SZ8 sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ5 vs Panasonic SZ8 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic SZ5 vs Panasonic SZ8 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic SZ5 Portrait photography advice
Panasonic SZ8 Portrait photography advice
34
MP count decent (14MP)
comes with face detect autofocus
manual focus not available
no manual control
can't use external flash
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
35
good MP (16MP)
offers face detection focusing
focusing manually not possible
lack of manual exposure
external flash not possible
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic SZ5 Street photography advice
Panasonic SZ8 Street photography advice
63
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (136 grams)
screen does not articulate
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
63
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors (159g)
no moving screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic SZ5
Sports photography with Panasonic SZ8
40
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (14MP)
comes with tracking focus
low frames per second (2.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
34
has image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16 megapixels)
slow frames per second (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
not so great battery life (200 shots)
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic SZ5
Travel photography with Panasonic SZ8
70
lighter than average in class (136g)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (25mm)
very long zoom (250mm)
does not have Timelapse mode
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.1)
67
lighter than competitors (159 grams)
good MP (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
relatively wide (24mm)
great zoom (288mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
not so great battery life (200 per charge)
does not have a selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic SZ5 Landscape photography advice
Panasonic SZ8 Landscape photography advice
42
reasonably wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (14MP)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
no manual control
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
does not have Timelapse mode
42
relatively wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16MP)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
lack of manual exposure
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
not so great battery life (200 per charge)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic SZ5 Vlogging advice
Panasonic SZ8 Vlogging advice
32
reasonably wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detect autofocus
lighter than average in class (136 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have microphone socket
32
relatively wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection focusing
lighter than competitors (159 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
does not have a selfie friendly display
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have external mic socket
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Panasonic SZ5 vs Panasonic SZ8 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ5 and Panasonic SZ8
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Panasonic
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2012-07-18 2014-01-06
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by - Venus Engine
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4320 x 3240 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 1600 1600
Maximum enhanced ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 23 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-250mm (10.0x) 24-288mm (12.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.1-5.9 f/3.1-6.3
Macro focus distance 5cm -
Crop factor 5.9 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 230k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology TFT Screen LCD TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 8s 8s
Fastest shutter speed 1/1600s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter rate 2.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 5.60 m 5.20 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720p ( 30,25 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25 fps) 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p), 320 x 240 (30p)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4 Motion JPEG
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In 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 136 gr (0.30 lbs) 159 gr (0.35 lbs)
Physical dimensions 104 x 58 x 21mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 0.8") 100 x 60 x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 200 shots
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Retail pricing $195 $275