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Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony G3

Portability
94
Imaging
40
Features
31
Overall
36
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3 front
Portability
94
Imaging
33
Features
30
Overall
31

Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony G3 Key Specs

Panasonic SZ8
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • 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
Sony G3
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 35-140mm (F3.5-10.0) lens
  • 185g - 97 x 59 x 22mm
  • Launched January 2009
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Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony G3 Overview

Its time to look more closely at the Panasonic SZ8 versus Sony G3, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by competitors Panasonic and Sony. There is a sizable difference between the image resolutions of the SZ8 (16MP) and G3 (10MP) but both cameras offer the identical sensor size (1/2.3").

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The SZ8 was introduced 5 years after the G3 which is quite a significant difference as far as tech is concerned. The two cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before we go into a more detailed comparison, here is a quick overview of how the SZ8 scores against the G3 for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ8 over the Sony G3

 SZ8 G3 
LaunchedJanuary 2014January 2009Newer by 61 months

Reasons to pick Sony G3 over the Panasonic SZ8

 G3 SZ8 
Manually focus More exact focus
Screen size3.5"3"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution921k460kClearer screen (+461k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Panasonic SZ8 and Sony G3

 SZ8 G3 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen

Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony G3 Physical Comparison

For those who are intending to travel with your camera frequently, you will want to take into account its weight and size. The Panasonic SZ8 features outside measurements of 100mm x 60mm x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") along with a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs) while the Sony G3 has specifications of 97mm x 59mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 0.9") and a weight of 185 grams (0.41 lbs).

Examine the Panasonic SZ8 versus Sony G3 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are utilising at the time. Here is a front view sizing comparison of the SZ8 vs the G3.

Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony G3 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the SZ8 and G3 is 94 and 94 respectively.

Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony G3 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony G3 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is difficult to envision the gap between sensor dimensions only by looking at a spec sheet. The picture below will offer you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the SZ8 and G3.

As you can see, the two cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit not the same megapixels. You can expect the Panasonic SZ8 to give extra detail using its extra 6MP. Higher resolution will help you crop photographs way more aggressively. The newer SZ8 is going to have an advantage with regard to sensor tech.

Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony G3 sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony G3 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony G3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Portrait photography info
Sony G3 Portrait photography info
35
decent megapixels (16MP)
offers face detect focus
manual focus not available
manual exposure not available
external flash not possible
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
26
has manual focus
lack of manual exposure
cannot use external flash
MP count low (10MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Street photography details
Sony G3 Street photography details
63
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (159 grams)
no articulating screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
56
image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Sports photography features
Sony G3 Sports photography features
34
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16MP)
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
terrible battery (200 shots)
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
23
image stabilization (Optical)
low max shutter speed (1/1,000s)
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
MP count low (10MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Travel photography highlights
Sony G3 Travel photography highlights
67
lighter than others (159g)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (24mm)
long zoom (288mm)
does not have Timelapse function
terrible battery (200 per charge)
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.1)
50
has built in flash
no Timelapse mode
MP count low (10MP)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
wide angle not fantastic (35mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic SZ8
Landscape photography with Sony G3
42
reasonably wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16MP)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
manual exposure not available
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
terrible battery (200 CIPA)
does not have Timelapse function
36
has manual focus
screen larger than average (3.5 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (35mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
lack of manual exposure
MP count low (10MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
no Timelapse mode
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 as a Vlogging camera
Sony G3 as a Vlogging camera
32
reasonably wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detect focus
lighter than others (159 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have microphone port
27
touchscreen enabled
image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not fantastic (35mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
low quality video (640 x 480 pxls)
no external microphone jack
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Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony G3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ8 and Sony G3
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Sony
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2014-01-06 2009-01-08
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Venus Engine -
Sensor type CCD CCD
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 10 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 3648 x 2736
Maximum native ISO 1600 3200
Maximum boosted ISO 6400 -
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-288mm (12.0x) 35-140mm (4.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.1-6.3 f/3.5-10.0
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inches 3.5 inches
Resolution of display 460k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display tech TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 8 secs 1 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/1000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 1.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 5.20 m 4.30 m (Auto ISO)
Flash settings Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
AEB
WB 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) 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 640x480
Video data format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone input
Headphone input
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
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 159g (0.35 lbs) 185g (0.41 lbs)
Physical dimensions 100 x 60 x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") 97 x 59 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 0.9")
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 pictures -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots One One
Retail pricing $275 $200