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Panasonic SZ8 vs Samsung HZ30W

Portability
94
Imaging
40
Features
31
Overall
36
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 front
 
Samsung HZ30W front
Portability
91
Imaging
35
Features
40
Overall
37

Panasonic SZ8 vs Samsung HZ30W Key Specs

Panasonic SZ8
(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
Samsung HZ30W
(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
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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").

Photography Glossary

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.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ8 over the Samsung HZ30W

 SZ8 HZ30W 
ReleasedJanuary 2014January 2010More recent by 49 months
Screen resolution460k230kClearer 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 typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Panasonic SZ8 vs Samsung HZ30W size comparison

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

Panasonic SZ8 vs Samsung HZ30W top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ8 vs Samsung HZ30W Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic SZ8 vs Samsung HZ30W Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 as a Portrait photography camera
Samsung HZ30W as a Portrait photography camera
35
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
comes with face detect focus
no manual focus
manual exposure not possible
can't use external flash
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
29
focusing manually
external flash not possible
sensor resolution low (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Street photography factors
Samsung HZ30W Street photography factors
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (159 grams)
screen does not articulate
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
60
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (245 grams)
no moving screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Sports photography advice
Samsung HZ30W Sports photography advice
34
built in image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (16MP)
continuous shooting slow (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
bad battery life (200 per charge)
lacks phase detect auto focus
42
long zoom range (24-360mm 15.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
includes tracking focus
sensor resolution low (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Travel photography advice
Samsung HZ30W Travel photography advice
67
lighter than average (159g)
resolution is good (16MP)
has built in flash
relatively wide (24mm)
very long zoom (288mm)
no Timelapse function
bad battery life (200 per charge)
does not offer selfie friendly display
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
63
lighter than competition (245g)
built-in flash
fairly wide (24mm)
long zoom (360mm)
missing Time Lapse mode
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.2)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Landscape photography features
Samsung HZ30W Landscape photography features
42
relatively wide (24mm)
good sized screen (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (16MP)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
manual exposure not possible
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
bad battery life (200 per charge)
no Timelapse function
43
focusing manually
fairly wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.2)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
missing Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Vlogging details
Samsung HZ30W Vlogging details
32
relatively wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detect focus
lighter than average (159 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
does not offer selfie friendly display
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
no microphone support
30
fairly wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (245 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.2)
display isn't selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing mic socket
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Panasonic SZ8 vs Samsung HZ30W Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ8 and Samsung HZ30W
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8Samsung 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