Clicky

Panasonic SZ7 vs Panasonic ZS45

Portability
95
Imaging
37
Features
41
Overall
38
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ7 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS45 front
Portability
91
Imaging
40
Features
55
Overall
46

Panasonic SZ7 vs Panasonic ZS45 Key Specs

Panasonic SZ7
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 133g - 99 x 59 x 21mm
  • Announced January 2012
Panasonic ZS45
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-480mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 249g - 108 x 60 x 32mm
  • Launched January 2015
  • Additionally referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ57
  • Old Model is Panasonic ZS40
  • New Model is Panasonic ZS50
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Panasonic SZ7 vs Panasonic ZS45 Overview

Following is a thorough review of the Panasonic SZ7 and Panasonic ZS45, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both of them are produced by Panasonic. The resolution of the SZ7 (14MP) and the ZS45 (16MP) is relatively well matched and they enjoy the same exact sensor measurements (1/2.3").

Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

The SZ7 was launched 4 years before the ZS45 which is quite a large difference as far as tech is concerned. Both of the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before going straight into a complete comparison, below is a simple summation of how the SZ7 matches up against the ZS45 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ7 over the Panasonic ZS45

 SZ7 ZS45 

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS45 over the Panasonic SZ7

 ZS45 SZ7 
LaunchedJanuary 2015January 2012More modern by 36 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution1040k460kCrisper screen (+580k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic SZ7 and Panasonic ZS45

 SZ7 ZS45 
Focus manually Lack of manual focus
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen measurements
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch screen Neither includes Touch screen

Panasonic SZ7 vs Panasonic ZS45 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is aiming to carry around your camera, you'll need to take into account its weight and volume. The Panasonic SZ7 features external measurements of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") having a weight of 133 grams (0.29 lbs) whilst the Panasonic ZS45 has sizing of 108mm x 60mm x 32mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.3") with a weight of 249 grams (0.55 lbs).

See the Panasonic SZ7 and Panasonic ZS45 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you have attached at the time. Below is the front view overall size comparison of the SZ7 versus the ZS45.

Panasonic SZ7 vs Panasonic ZS45 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the SZ7 and ZS45 is 95 and 91 respectively.

Panasonic SZ7 vs Panasonic ZS45 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ7 vs Panasonic ZS45 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it's hard to see the contrast between sensor sizes merely by reading through technical specs. The pic here will provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the SZ7 and ZS45.

As you have seen, both cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same resolution. You can count on the Panasonic ZS45 to give you extra detail utilizing its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also help you crop pictures a little more aggressively. The more aged SZ7 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.

Panasonic SZ7 vs Panasonic ZS45 sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ7 vs Panasonic ZS45 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic SZ7 vs Panasonic ZS45 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic SZ7 Portrait photography details
Panasonic ZS45 Portrait photography details
33
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
has face detect focusing
lack of manual focus
manual mode not possible
cannot use external flash
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
37
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
comes with face detect focus
no manual focus
cannot use external flash
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Street Comparison

Panasonic SZ7 Street photography factors
Panasonic ZS45 Street photography factors
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors (133 grams)
screen is fixed
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
69
screen tilts
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (249g)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Sports Comparison

Panasonic SZ7 Sports photography features
Panasonic ZS45 Sports photography features
43
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
has tracking focus
no shutter priority mode
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
55
long zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
comes with tracking focus
better than average battery power (350 shots)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Travel Comparison

Panasonic SZ7 Travel photography info
Panasonic ZS45 Travel photography info
70
lighter than competitors (133g)
megapixel count decent (14MP)
built-in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
very long reach (250mm)
no Time Lapse mode
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
71
better than average battery power (350 shots)
lighter than others (249g)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (24mm)
great zoom (480mm)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Landscape Comparison

Panasonic SZ7 Landscape photography information
Panasonic ZS45 Landscape photography information
42
pretty wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (14MP)
lack of manual focus
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
manual mode not possible
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
no Time Lapse mode
47
reasonably wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
better than average battery power (350 CIPA)
no manual focus
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
doesn't have Timelapse mode
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic SZ7 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic ZS45 as a Vlogging camera
35
pretty wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competitors (133g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
screen is not selfie friendly
no mic support
34
reasonably wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detect focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than others (249 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
doesn't have microphone support
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Panasonic SZ7 vs Panasonic ZS45 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ7 and Panasonic ZS45
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ7Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS45
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Panasonic
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ7 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS45
Also called as - Lumix DMC-TZ57
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2012-01-09 2015-01-06
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4320 x 3240 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 23 21
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-250mm (10.0x) 24-480mm (20.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.1-5.9 f/3.3-6.4
Macro focus range 4cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.9
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 460 thousand dots 1,040 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen tech TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 8 secs 4 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 10.0 frames per second 10.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 5.60 m 6.00 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60, 30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, AVCHD MPEG-4
Microphone support
Headphone support
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
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 133g (0.29 lbs) 249g (0.55 lbs)
Dimensions 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") 108 x 60 x 32mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.3")
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 220 photographs 350 photographs
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots One One
Cost at launch $199 $300