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Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax XG-1

Portability
94 Imaging
40 Features
31 Overall
36
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 front
 
Pentax XG-1 front
Portability
66 Imaging
40 Features
37 Overall
38

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax XG-1 Key Specs

Panasonic SZ8
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Expand to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-288mm (F3.1-6.3) lens
  • 159g - 100 x 60 x 27mm
  • Revealed January 2014
Pentax XG-1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-1248mm (F2.8-5.6) lens
  • 567g - 119 x 89 x 98mm
  • Revealed July 2014
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Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax XG-1 Overview

Its time to examine more closely at the Panasonic SZ8 and Pentax XG-1, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by manufacturers Panasonic and Pentax. The resolution of the SZ8 (16MP) and the XG-1 (16MP) is relatively similar and they feature the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The SZ8 was brought out 6 months earlier than the XG-1 so they are of a similar generation. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic SZ8 being a Compact camera and the Pentax XG-1 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before going straight into a complete comparison, below is a quick view of how the SZ8 matches up against the XG-1 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ8 over the Pentax XG-1

		

		

			
 SZ8 XG-1 
		

	

	
	

		

		
Reasons to pick Pentax XG-1 over the Panasonic SZ8

		

		

			
 XG-1 SZ8 
Manual focus  More accurate focusing
		

	

	
	

		

		
Common features in the Panasonic SZ8 and Pentax XG-1

		

		

			
 SZ8 XG-1 
RevealedJanuary 2014July 2014Similar generation
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen measurement
Screen resolution460k460kThe same screen resolution
Selfie screen  Neither contains selfie screen
Touch screen  Lack of Touch screen
		

	

	

	
	
	
	

	

		

		
Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax XG-1 Physical Comparison

		

		

			
For anyone who is intending to carry around your camera often, you have to think about its weight and volume. The Panasonic SZ8 has got exterior dimensions of 100mm x 60mm x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") having a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs) and the Pentax XG-1 has sizing of 119mm x 89mm x 98mm (4.7" x 3.5" x 3.9") with a weight of 567 grams (1.25 lbs).
Compare the Panasonic SZ8 and Pentax XG-1 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses
Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you have chosen during that time. The following is the front view scale comparison of the SZ8 versus the XG-1.
Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax XG-1 size comparison
Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SZ8 and XG-1 is 94 and 66 respectively.
Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax XG-1 top view buttons comparison		

	

	
	

		

		
Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax XG-1 Sensor Comparison

		

		

			
More often than not, its tough to picture the gap between sensor sizes purely by reviewing technical specs. The image below may give you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the SZ8 and XG-1.
As you can tell, each of these cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing and the same megapixels so you should expect similar quality of photos however you might want to consider the release date  of the products into consideration.
	
			Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax XG-1 sensor size comparison			
		

	

	
	

		

		
Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax XG-1 Screen and ViewFinder

		

		

					

		Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax XG-1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison	

	
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Photography Type Scores

		

	

	
Portrait Comparison
Panasonic SZ8 Portrait photography information
Pentax XG-1 Portrait photography information
35
 sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
 comes with face detection autofocus
 manual focus not available
 no manual control
 can't use external flash
 sensor size is small (1/2.3")
 lack of RAW support
40
 manual focus
 decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
 no external flash support
 small sensor size (1/2.3")
 lack of RAW support
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Street Comparison
Panasonic SZ8 Street photography factors
Pentax XG-1 Street photography factors
63
 built in image stabilization (Optical)
 lighter than competitors in class (159 grams)
 screen does not articulate
 sensor size is small (1/2.3")
 lack of RAW support
43
 built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
 fixed screen
 small sensor size (1/2.3")
 lack of RAW support
 more heavy than competition in class (567 grams)
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Sports Comparison
Panasonic SZ8 Sports photography advice
Pentax XG-1 Sports photography advice
34
 built in image stabilization (Optical)
 sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
 continuous shooting slow (1.0 fps)
 lack of shutter priority mode
 sensor size is small (1/2.3")
 terrible battery (200 per charge)
 lack of phase detect autofocus
45
 amazing zoom range (24-1248mm  52.0 x zoom)
 built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
 decent sensor resolution (16MP)
 small sensor size (1/2.3")
 bad battery power (240 shots)
 lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison
Panasonic SZ8 Travel photography details
Pentax XG-1 Travel photography details
67
 lighter than competitors in class (159g)
 sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
 has built in flash
 really wide (24mm)
 great reach (288mm)
 lack of Timelapse function
 terrible battery (200 CIPA)
 screen is not selfie friendly
 somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
52
 decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
 built-in flash
 pretty wide (24mm)
 great reach (1248mm)
 missing Timelapse function
 bad battery power (240 shots)
 more heavy than competition in class (567g)
 screen is not selfie friendly
 somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
Photography Glossary
Landscape Comparison
Panasonic SZ8 Landscape photography details
Pentax XG-1 Landscape photography details
42
 really wide (24mm)
 screen size is good (3 inches)
 built in image stabilization (Optical)
 sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
 manual focus not available
 can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
 somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
 no manual control
 sensor size is small (1/2.3")
 lack of RAW support
 terrible battery (200 CIPA)
 lack of Timelapse function
45
 manual focus
 pretty wide (24mm)
 decent sized screen (3 inch)
 built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
 decent sensor resolution (16MP)
 lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
 somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
 small sensor size (1/2.3")
 lack of RAW support
 bad battery power (240 shots)
 missing Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison
 Panasonic SZ8 as a Vlogging camera
 Pentax XG-1 as a Vlogging camera
32
 really wide (24mm)
 built in image stabilization (Optical)
 comes with face detection autofocus
 lighter than competitors in class (159g)
 somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
 screen is not selfie friendly
 low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
 lack of external microphone port
25
 pretty wide (24mm)
 built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
 video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
 somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
 screen is not selfie friendly
 missing microphone port
 more heavy than competition in class (567 grams)
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Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax XG-1 Specifications

		

		

					

		
		

			Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ8 and Pentax XG-1
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8Pentax XG-1
General Information
Company Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 Pentax XG-1
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2014-01-06 2014-07-15
Body design Compact SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Venus Engine -
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter    
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and  16:9 4:3, 3:2 and  16:9
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 1600 3200
Max boosted ISO 6400 -
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW photos    
Autofocusing
Manual focusing    
Touch to focus    
AF continuous    
Single AF    
AF tracking    
Selective AF    
Center weighted AF    
Multi area AF    
AF live view    
Face detection AF    
Contract detection AF    
Phase detection AF    
Total focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-288mm (12.0x) 24-1248mm (52.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.1-6.3 f/2.8-5.6
Macro focusing distance - 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 460k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly    
Liveview    
Touch capability    
Screen tech TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 200k dot
Features
Lowest shutter speed 8 seconds 4 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 1.0 frames per sec 9.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority    
Aperture priority    
Manual exposure    
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change WB    
Image stabilization    
Built-in flash    
Flash distance 5.20 m 6.00 m
Flash settings Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off Force Off, Flash Auto, Force Flash, Slow Sync., Slow Sync. + Red-Eye, Red-Eye Reduction
External flash    
Auto exposure bracketing    
WB bracketing    
Exposure
Multisegment exposure    
Average exposure    
Spot exposure    
Partial exposure    
AF area exposure    
Center weighted exposure    
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p), 320 x 240 (30p) 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (120 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone jack    
Headphone jack    
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth    
NFC    
HDMI    
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal    
Water proofing    
Dust proofing    
Shock proofing    
Crush proofing    
Freeze proofing    
Weight 159 grams (0.35 lbs) 567 grams (1.25 lbs)
Dimensions 100 x 60 x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") 119 x 89 x 98mm (4.7" x 3.5" x 3.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 200 images 240 images
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - LB-060
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting    
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC
Storage slots 1 1
Launch price $275 $599