Clicky

Panasonic SZ7 vs Sony HX30V

Portability
95
Imaging
38
Features
41
Overall
39
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ7 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V front
Portability
90
Imaging
42
Features
50
Overall
45

Panasonic SZ7 vs Sony HX30V Key Specs

Panasonic SZ7
(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
Sony HX30V
(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
Photography Glossary

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").

Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

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.

Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone
	
	

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 resolution922k460kCrisper display (+462k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic SZ7 and Sony HX30V

 SZ7 HX30V 
AnnouncedJanuary 2012February 2012Same generation
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display size3"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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Panasonic SZ7 vs Sony HX30V size comparison

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

Panasonic SZ7 vs Sony HX30V top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ7 vs Sony HX30V Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic SZ7 vs Sony HX30V Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic SZ7 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony HX30V as a Portrait photography camera
34
good MP (14 megapixels)
has face detect focusing
manual focus not available
manual mode not possible
can't use external flash
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
45
you can focus manually
good megapixels (18 megapixels)
comes with face detect focus
external flash not possible
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Street Comparison

Panasonic SZ7 as a Street photography camera
Sony HX30V as a Street photography camera
63
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (133g)
fixed screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
61
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (254 grams)
fixed screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
Cutting-edge AI developed by Apple deciphers subtle nuances in pixels

Sports Comparison

Panasonic SZ7 as a Sports photography camera
Sony HX30V as a Sports photography camera
44
has image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (14MP)
has tracking focus
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
49
amazing zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (18 megapixels)
comes with tracking focus
no shutter priority
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
Body cameras now worn by bakery staff to deter stealing

Travel Comparison

Panasonic SZ7 Travel photography highlights
Sony HX30V Travel photography highlights
70
lighter than average (133g)
good MP (14MP)
flash built-in
relatively wide (25mm)
long zoom (250mm)
missing Time Lapse function
display isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.1)
69
lighter than competition in class (254 grams)
good megapixels (18MP)
flash built-in
quite wide (25mm)
very long zoom (500mm)
no Timelapse recording
does not have a selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Landscape Comparison

Panasonic SZ7 Landscape photography features
Sony HX30V Landscape photography features
42
relatively wide (25mm)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (14MP)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
manual mode not possible
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
missing Time Lapse function
50
you can focus manually
quite wide (25mm)
screen is a good size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (18 megapixels)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
no Timelapse recording
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic SZ7 Vlogging info
Sony HX30V Vlogging info
35
relatively wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than average (133g)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
display isn't selfie friendly
missing mic jack
34
quite wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detect focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition in class (254 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
does not have a selfie friendly display
no microphone socket
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Panasonic SZ7 vs Sony HX30V Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ7 and Sony HX30V
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ7Sony 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