Panasonic SZ7 vs Sony HX30V
95 Imaging
37 Features
41 Overall
38


90 Imaging
41 Features
50 Overall
44
Panasonic SZ7 vs Sony HX30V Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 6400
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
- 133g - 99 x 59 x 21mm
- Launched January 2012
(Full Review)
- 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 12800
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 25-500mm (F3.2-5.8) lens
- 254g - 107 x 62 x 35mm
- Announced February 2012
- Older Model is Sony HX20V
- New Model is Sony HX50V

Panasonic SZ7 vs Sony HX30V Overview
Here, we are evaluating the Panasonic SZ7 vs Sony HX30V, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by competitors Panasonic and Sony. There is a sizeable difference among the resolutions of the SZ7 (14MP) and HX30V (18MP) but both cameras posses the identical sensor sizes (1/2.3").

The SZ7 was brought out very close to the HX30V and they are both of a similar generation. Both the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).
Before getting straight to a thorough comparison, here is a simple highlight of how the SZ7 matches up versus the HX30V with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Panasonic SZ7 vs Sony HX30V Gallery
Following is a sample of the gallery pics for Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ7 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V. The entire galleries are provided at Panasonic SZ7 Gallery and Sony HX30V Gallery.
Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ7 over the Sony HX30V
SZ7 | HX30V |
---|
Reasons to pick Sony HX30V over the Panasonic SZ7
HX30V | SZ7 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | More precise focusing | ||
Display resolution | 922k | ![]() | 460k | Crisper display (+462k dot) |
Common features in the Panasonic SZ7 and Sony HX30V
SZ7 | HX30V | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | January 2012 | ![]() | February 2012 | Same generation |
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display size | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Same display dimensions |
Selfie screen | ![]() | No selfie screen | ||
Touch display | ![]() | No Touch display |
Panasonic SZ7 vs Sony HX30V Physical Comparison
For those who are looking to carry your camera, you need to factor in its weight and measurements. The Panasonic SZ7 comes with outside dimensions 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 HX30V has proportions of 107mm x 62mm x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4") and a weight of 254 grams (0.56 lbs).
See the Panasonic SZ7 vs Sony HX30V in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you use during that time. The following is a front view physical size comparison of the SZ7 compared to the HX30V.

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the SZ7 and HX30V is 95 and 90 respectively.

Panasonic SZ7 vs Sony HX30V Sensor Comparison
In many cases, it's tough to visualize the contrast in sensor sizing simply by viewing specifications. The photograph below will help give you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the SZ7 and HX30V.
Plainly, both cameras come with the identical sensor size but different megapixels. You should expect to see the Sony HX30V to render extra detail having its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will enable you to crop pics a good deal more aggressively.

Panasonic SZ7 vs Sony HX30V Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic SZ7 vs Sony HX30V Specifications
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ7 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Panasonic | Sony |
Model | Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ7 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V |
Category | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Launched | 2012-01-09 | 2012-02-28 |
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 | 14 megapixels | 18 megapixels |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 4:3 and 16:9 |
Max resolution | 4320 x 3240 | 4896 x 3672 |
Max native ISO | 6400 | 12800 |
Lowest native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW images | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch to focus | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detect focus | ||
Contract detect focus | ||
Phase detect focus | ||
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) |
Highest aperture | f/3.1-5.9 | f/3.2-5.8 |
Macro focus distance | 4cm | 1cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.9 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Type of display | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display size | 3 inches | 3 inches |
Display resolution | 460 thousand dots | 922 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch capability | ||
Display tech | TFT Color LCD | XtraFine TruBlack TFT LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 8 seconds | 30 seconds |
Max shutter speed | 1/1600 seconds | 1/1600 seconds |
Continuous shutter rate | 10.0 frames per second | 10.0 frames per second |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | - | Yes |
Set white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash range | 5.60 m | 7.10 m |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction | Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync |
External flash | ||
AE bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
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) |
Max video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
Video data format | MPEG-4, AVCHD | MPEG-4, AVCHD |
Microphone port | ||
Headphone port | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | Built-In |
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 lbs) | 254 grams (0.56 lbs) |
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 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 | 220 shots | 320 shots |
Battery type | 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 |
Retail cost | $199 | $420 |