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Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony A6400

Portability
94
Imaging
40
Features
31
Overall
36
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 front
 
Sony Alpha a6400 front
Portability
83
Imaging
70
Features
88
Overall
77

Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony A6400 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
  • Released January 2014
Sony A6400
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 32000 (Raise to 102400)
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 403g - 120 x 67 x 50mm
  • Released January 2019
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Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony A6400 Overview

Its time to look more in depth at the Panasonic SZ8 versus Sony A6400, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Advanced Mirrorless by rivals Panasonic and Sony. There exists a substantial gap among the resolutions of the SZ8 (16MP) and A6400 (24MP) and the SZ8 (1/2.3") and A6400 (APS-C) offer totally different sensor measurements.

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The SZ8 was revealed 6 years earlier than the A6400 which is a fairly big difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of these cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic SZ8 being a Compact camera and the Sony A6400 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before getting right into a full comparison, here is a simple summary of how the SZ8 matches up versus the A6400 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ8 over the Sony A6400

 SZ8 A6400 

Reasons to pick Sony A6400 over the Panasonic SZ8

 A6400 SZ8 
ReleasedJanuary 2019January 2014Newer by 61 months
Focus manually Dial accurate focus
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution922k460kCrisper display (+462k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch display Easily navigate

Common features in the Panasonic SZ8 and Sony A6400

 SZ8 A6400 
Display size3"3"Same display measurements

Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony A6400 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is intending to travel with your camera, you're going to have to take into account its weight and size. The Panasonic SZ8 offers exterior dimensions of 100mm x 60mm x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") and a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs) whilst the Sony A6400 has specifications of 120mm x 67mm x 50mm (4.7" x 2.6" x 2.0") having a weight of 403 grams (0.89 lbs).

Look at the Panasonic SZ8 versus Sony A6400 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you have at the time. The following is a front view over all size comparison of the SZ8 vs the A6400.

Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony A6400 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SZ8 and A6400 is 94 and 83 respectively.

Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony A6400 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony A6400 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, its hard to see the difference in sensor dimensions purely by checking out technical specs. The pic underneath will give you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the SZ8 and A6400.

As you can tell, the 2 cameras come with different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The SZ8 using its smaller sensor will make getting shallower DOF trickier and the Sony A6400 will provide extra detail because of its extra 8 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop images a good deal more aggressively. The more aged SZ8 will be behind in sensor tech.

Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony A6400 sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony A6400 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony A6400 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony A6400 as a Portrait photography camera
35
MP count good (16 megapixels)
offers face detect focusing
lack of manual focus
manual exposure not possible
external flash not possible
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
82
manual focus
resolution is good (24MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
has face detection focus
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Street photography features
Sony A6400 Street photography features
63
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (159 grams)
screen does not articulate
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
81
tilting screen
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW files
provides focus by touch
environment sealing
good ISO range (32,000)
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic SZ8
Sports photography with Sony A6400
34
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
continuous shooting slow (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
very small sensor (1/2.3")
bad battery (200 CIPA)
has no phase detect AF
76
resolution is good (24 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
has tracking autofocus
environment sealing
comes with phase detect auto focus
lack of image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Travel photography info
Sony A6400 Travel photography info
67
lighter than others (159 grams)
MP count good (16MP)
flash built-in
fairly wide (24mm)
great zoom (288mm)
does not have Time Lapse function
bad battery (200 CIPA)
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
87
environment sealing
connects via bluetooth
provides focus by touch
resolution is good (24 megapixels)
flash built-in
screen is selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Landscape photography highlights
Sony A6400 Landscape photography highlights
42
fairly wide (24mm)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
manual exposure not possible
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
bad battery (200 shots)
does not have Time Lapse function
80
manual focus
switch lenses (Sony E mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
resolution is good (24 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
good ISO range (32,000)
supports RAW files
environment sealing
lack of image stabilization
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Vlogging features
Sony A6400 Vlogging features
32
fairly wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detect focusing
lighter than others (159g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
display isn't selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have mic socket
80
screen is selfie friendly
built-in touchscreen
has face detection focus
high quality video (3840 x 2160 resolution)
does have external microphone jack
lack of image stabilization
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Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony A6400 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ8 and Sony A6400
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8Sony Alpha a6400
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Sony
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 Sony Alpha a6400
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Advanced Mirrorless
Released 2014-01-06 2019-01-15
Body design Compact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip Venus Engine Bionz X
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 24 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 6000 x 4000
Maximum native ISO 1600 32000
Maximum enhanced ISO 6400 102400
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 9 425
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Sony E
Lens focal range 24-288mm (12.0x) -
Highest aperture f/3.1-6.3 -
Amount of lenses - 121
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display sizing 3" 3"
Resolution of display 460k dot 922k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display tech TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,359k dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.7x
Features
Min shutter speed 8 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 1.0fps 11.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 5.20 m 6.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off Off, auto, on, slow sync, rear sync, redeye reduction, wireless, hi-speed sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p), 320 x 240 (30p) 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 3840x2160
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264, XAVC-S
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 159 grams (0.35 lb) 403 grams (0.89 lb)
Physical dimensions 100 x 60 x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") 120 x 67 x 50mm (4.7" x 2.6" x 2.0")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 83
DXO Color Depth score not tested 24.0
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 13.6
DXO Low light score not tested 1431
Other
Battery life 200 photographs 410 photographs
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - NP-FW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick DUO (UHS-I compliant)
Storage slots 1 1
Retail price $275 $898