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Panasonic SZ7 vs Sony HX20V

Portability
95
Imaging
38
Features
41
Overall
39
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ7 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V front
Portability
90
Imaging
42
Features
50
Overall
45

Panasonic SZ7 vs Sony HX20V 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
  • Released January 2012
Sony HX20V
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-500mm (F3.2-5.8) lens
  • 254g - 107 x 62 x 35mm
  • Introduced July 2012
  • Replaced the Sony HX10V
  • New Model is Sony HX30V
Photography Glossary

Panasonic SZ7 vs Sony HX20V Overview

Here is a extensive review of the Panasonic SZ7 and Sony HX20V, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by rivals Panasonic and Sony. There is a large difference among the image resolutions of the SZ7 (14MP) and HX20V (18MP) but both cameras have the identical sensor size (1/2.3").

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The SZ7 was revealed 6 months before the HX20V which means that they are both of a similar age. Both the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before we go into a in-depth comparison, here is a quick introduction of how the SZ7 grades against the HX20V when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ7 over the Sony HX20V

 SZ7 HX20V 

Reasons to pick Sony HX20V over the Panasonic SZ7

 HX20V SZ7 
Focus manually More exact focus
Screen resolution922k460kCrisper screen (+462k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic SZ7 and Sony HX20V

 SZ7 HX20V 
IntroducedJanuary 2012July 2012Same age
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen size
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Lacking Touch friendly screen

Panasonic SZ7 vs Sony HX20V Physical Comparison

When you are intending to carry your camera often, you have to factor its weight and proportions. The Panasonic SZ7 offers exterior measurements of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") and a weight of 133 grams (0.29 lbs) while the Sony HX20V has measurements of 107mm x 62mm x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4") accompanied by a weight of 254 grams (0.56 lbs).

See the Panasonic SZ7 and Sony HX20V in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you use at that moment. Here is a front view physical size comparison of the SZ7 against the HX20V.

Panasonic SZ7 vs Sony HX20V size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the SZ7 and HX20V is 95 and 90 respectively.

Panasonic SZ7 vs Sony HX20V top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ7 vs Sony HX20V Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it's tough to picture the contrast in sensor sizing simply by seeing specs. The visual underneath will help give you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the SZ7 and HX20V.

All in all, both of the cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit different megapixels. You can count on the Sony HX20V to produce more detail because of its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will let you crop shots way more aggressively.

Panasonic SZ7 vs Sony HX20V sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ7 vs Sony HX20V Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic SZ7 vs Sony HX20V Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic SZ7 Portrait photography information
Sony HX20V Portrait photography information
34
decent MP (14MP)
includes face detection focusing
focusing manually not possible
no manual mode
external flash not possible
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW format
45
manual focus
decent sensor resolution (18MP)
supports face detect autofocus
external flash not possible
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Street Comparison

Panasonic SZ7 Street photography information
Sony HX20V Street photography information
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (133 grams)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW format
61
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (254 grams)
screen is fixed
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic SZ7 Sports photography advice
Sony HX20V Sports photography advice
44
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (14MP)
includes tracking autofocus
no shutter priority mode
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
49
excellent zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (18MP)
supports tracking focus
no shutter priority
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic SZ7 Travel photography highlights
Sony HX20V Travel photography highlights
70
lighter than competition in class (133 grams)
decent MP (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
rather wide (25mm)
long zoom (250mm)
lack of Timelapse function
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
69
lighter than average in class (254g)
decent sensor resolution (18 megapixels)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (25mm)
long zoom (500mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f3.2)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic SZ7 Landscape photography highlights
Sony HX20V Landscape photography highlights
42
rather wide (25mm)
screen is a decent size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
no manual mode
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW format
lack of Timelapse function
50
manual focus
reasonably wide (25mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (18MP)
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.2)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
doesn't have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic SZ7 Vlogging details
Sony HX20V Vlogging details
35
rather wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detection focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition in class (133 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of external microphone jack
34
reasonably wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than average in class (254 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.2)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
doesn't have microphone support
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Panasonic SZ7 vs Sony HX20V Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ7 and Sony HX20V
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ7Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V
General Information
Brand Panasonic Sony
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ7 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2012-01-09 2012-07-20
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - BIONZ
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 18MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4320 x 3240 4896 x 3672
Maximum native ISO 6400 12800
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
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) 25-500mm (20.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.1-5.9 f/3.2-5.8
Macro focus range 4cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 460 thousand dots 922 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen tech TFT Color LCD XtraFine TruBlack TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 8s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/1600s 1/1600s
Continuous shooting rate 10.0 frames per sec 10.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 5.60 m 7.10 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60, 30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30fps), 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)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, AVCHD MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 133 grams (0.29 pounds) 254 grams (0.56 pounds)
Physical dimensions 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") 107 x 62 x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4")
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 shots 320 shots
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - NP-BG1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Card slots One One
Price at launch $199 $397