Panasonic SZ8 vs Samsung HZ30W
94 Imaging
40 Features
31 Overall
36


91 Imaging
35 Features
40 Overall
37
Panasonic SZ8 vs Samsung HZ30W Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 1600 (Bump to 6400)
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 24-288mm (F3.1-6.3) lens
- 159g - 100 x 60 x 27mm
- Announced January 2014
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 3200
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 24-360mm (F3.2-5.8) lens
- 245g - 107 x 61 x 28mm
- Released January 2010
- Alternative Name is WB600

Panasonic SZ8 vs Samsung HZ30W Overview
Let's look a bit more closely at the Panasonic SZ8 versus Samsung HZ30W, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by brands Panasonic and Samsung. There is a significant difference between the image resolutions of the SZ8 (16MP) and HZ30W (12MP) but both cameras provide the same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

The SZ8 was released 4 years later than the HZ30W and that is quite a sizable gap as far as tech is concerned. Both the cameras have the same body design (Compact).
Before getting into a more detailed comparison, here is a simple view of how the SZ8 matches up against the HZ30W for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Panasonic SZ8 vs Samsung HZ30W Gallery
Here is a preview of the gallery images for Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 and Samsung HZ30W. The complete galleries are available at Panasonic SZ8 Gallery and Samsung HZ30W Gallery.
Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ8 over the Samsung HZ30W
SZ8 | HZ30W | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | January 2014 | ![]() | January 2010 | More recent by 49 months |
Screen resolution | 460k | ![]() | 230k | Clearer screen (+230k dot) |
Reasons to pick Samsung HZ30W over the Panasonic SZ8
HZ30W | SZ8 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | Very exact focusing |
Common features in the Panasonic SZ8 and Samsung HZ30W
SZ8 | HZ30W | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equal screen dimensions |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither includes selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Neither includes Touch friendly screen |
Panasonic SZ8 vs Samsung HZ30W Physical Comparison
In case you're planning to lug around your camera frequently, you are going to need to take into account its weight and measurements. The Panasonic SZ8 features outer dimensions of 100mm x 60mm x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") with a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs) while the Samsung HZ30W has proportions of 107mm x 61mm x 28mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.1") with a weight of 245 grams (0.54 lbs).
Check the Panasonic SZ8 versus Samsung HZ30W in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you are working with at the time. Underneath is a front view dimensions comparison of the SZ8 and the HZ30W.

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the SZ8 and HZ30W is 94 and 91 respectively.

Panasonic SZ8 vs Samsung HZ30W Sensor Comparison
Usually, its difficult to see the difference between sensor measurements just by reading through specs. The graphic below should give you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the SZ8 and HZ30W.
As you can plainly see, each of these cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same resolution. You should expect the Panasonic SZ8 to give extra detail as a result of its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop pictures more aggressively. The more modern SZ8 will have an advantage in sensor innovation.

Panasonic SZ8 vs Samsung HZ30W Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 vs Samsung HZ30W Specifications
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 | Samsung HZ30W | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Panasonic | Samsung |
Model | Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 | Samsung HZ30W |
Alternative name | - | WB600 |
Category | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Announced | 2014-01-06 | 2010-01-19 |
Physical type | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | Venus Engine | - |
Sensor type | CCD | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor dimensions | 6.08 x 4.56mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
Sensor area | 27.7mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16 megapixel | 12 megapixel |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 4:3 and 16:9 |
Highest resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4000 x 3000 |
Highest native ISO | 1600 | 3200 |
Highest boosted ISO | 6400 | - |
Min native ISO | 100 | 80 |
RAW files | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
Touch 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 | 9 | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 24-288mm (12.0x) | 24-360mm (15.0x) |
Highest aperture | f/3.1-6.3 | f/3.2-5.8 |
Macro focus distance | - | 3cm |
Crop factor | 5.9 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display sizing | 3" | 3" |
Display resolution | 460k dots | 230k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch friendly | ||
Display technology | TFT LCD | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 8 seconds | 16 seconds |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/2000 seconds | 1/2000 seconds |
Continuous shooting rate | 1.0 frames/s | - |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual mode | ||
Exposure compensation | - | Yes |
Change white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash range | 5.20 m | 5.00 m |
Flash settings | Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p), 320 x 240 (30p) | 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (60, 30 fps) |
Highest video resolution | 1280x720 | 1280x720 |
Video file format | Motion JPEG | H.264 |
Mic port | ||
Headphone port | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Built-In | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environment sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 159 gr (0.35 lb) | 245 gr (0.54 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 100 x 60 x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") | 107 x 61 x 28mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.1") |
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 | 200 shots | - |
Battery type | Battery Pack | - |
Battery model | - | SLB-11A |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Double, Motion) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal | SC/SDHC/SDXC, Internal |
Card slots | One | One |
Price at launch | $275 | $280 |