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Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony A380

Portability
94
Imaging
39
Features
31
Overall
35
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A380 front
Portability
68
Imaging
52
Features
54
Overall
52

Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony A380 Key Specs

Panasonic SZ8
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Increase 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
Sony A380
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 519g - 128 x 97 x 71mm
  • Launched August 2009
  • Superseded the Sony A350
  • Successor is Sony A390
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Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony A380 Overview

Let's examine more closely at the Panasonic SZ8 and Sony A380, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by brands Panasonic and Sony. The sensor resolution of the SZ8 (16MP) and the A380 (14MP) is very similar but the SZ8 (1/2.3") and A380 (APS-C) feature different sensor sizing.

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The SZ8 was manufactured 4 years later than the A380 and that is quite a large gap as far as tech is concerned. Both of these cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic SZ8 being a Compact camera and the Sony A380 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before going straight into a full comparison, below is a brief overview of how the SZ8 grades against the A380 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ8 over the Sony A380

 SZ8 A380 
LaunchedJanuary 2014August 2009Fresher by 54 months
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kCrisper display (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony A380 over the Panasonic SZ8

 A380 SZ8 
Manual focus Very accurate focusing
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display

Common features in the Panasonic SZ8 and Sony A380

 SZ8 A380 
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither has Touch friendly display

Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony A380 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is looking to carry your camera regularly, you'll need to consider its weight and measurements. The Panasonic SZ8 has physical measurements of 100mm x 60mm x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") having a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs) while the Sony A380 has proportions of 128mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.8") along with a weight of 519 grams (1.14 lbs).

Analyze the Panasonic SZ8 and Sony A380 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you have at the time. Following is the front view physical size comparison of the SZ8 vs the A380.

Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony A380 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the SZ8 and A380 is 94 and 68 respectively.

Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony A380 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony A380 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is tough to picture the difference between sensor sizing just by going over specs. The photograph underneath will provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the SZ8 and A380.

As you can plainly see, each of the cameras offer different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The SZ8 because of its tinier sensor is going to make achieving shallow DOF tougher and the Panasonic SZ8 will offer more detail due to its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will allow you to crop pics a little more aggressively. The fresher SZ8 provides a benefit when it comes to sensor tech.

Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony A380 sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony A380 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony A380 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Portrait photography highlights
Sony A380 Portrait photography highlights
34
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
has face detect focusing
focusing manually not possible
manual mode not possible
no external flash support
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
71
manual focus
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
includes face detect focusing
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic SZ8
Street photography with Sony A380
63
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (159g)
no articulating screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
76
screen tilts
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 as a Sports photography camera
Sony A380 as a Sports photography camera
33
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
low fps (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
terrible battery life (200 shots)
has no phase detect AF
59
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (14MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
has phase detect AF
max fps very slow (3.0 frames per second)
not so great battery (500 per charge)
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 as a Travel photography camera
Sony A380 as a Travel photography camera
67
lighter than competition (159 grams)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
really wide (24mm)
long zoom (288mm)
lack of Time Lapse recording
terrible battery life (200 CIPA)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
53
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
doesn't have Timelapse function
not so great battery (500 per charge)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Landscape photography highlights
Sony A380 Landscape photography highlights
41
really wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
manual mode not possible
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
terrible battery life (200 per charge)
lack of Time Lapse recording
60
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (14MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
small screen (2.7")
not so great battery (500 CIPA)
doesn't have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Vlogging advice
Sony A380 Vlogging advice
32
really wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect focusing
lighter than competition (159g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of mic socket
9
lack of video recording
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Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony A380 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ8 and Sony A380
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8Sony Alpha DSLR-A380
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Sony
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 Sony Alpha DSLR-A380
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level DSLR
Revealed 2014-01-06 2009-08-24
Physical type Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Venus Engine Bionz
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.6 x 15.8mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 372.9mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 4592 x 3056
Maximum native ISO 1600 3200
Maximum boosted ISO 6400 -
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens zoom range 24-288mm (12.0x) -
Maximum aperture f/3.1-6.3 -
Total lenses - 143
Crop factor 5.9 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display size 3 inch 2.7 inch
Display resolution 460 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display tech TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 95%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.49x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 8s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting rate 1.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 5.20 m 10.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize - 1/160s
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) -
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 None
Video data format Motion JPEG -
Microphone 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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 159g (0.35 lb) 519g (1.14 lb)
Dimensions 100 x 60 x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") 128 x 97 x 71mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 67
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 22.6
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 11.8
DXO Low light rating not tested 614
Other
Battery life 200 photographs 500 photographs
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-FH50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo
Card slots One One
Price at launch $275 $899