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Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony H300

Portability
94
Imaging
40
Features
31
Overall
36
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H300 front
Portability
63
Imaging
45
Features
37
Overall
41

Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony H300 Key Specs

Panasonic SZ8
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Boost 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 H300
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-875mm (F3-5.9) lens
  • 590g - 130 x 95 x 122mm
  • Announced February 2014
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Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony H300 Overview

Here is a in depth overview of the Panasonic SZ8 versus Sony H300, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by companies Panasonic and Sony. The sensor resolution of the SZ8 (16MP) and the H300 (20MP) is very close and they possess the same exact sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The SZ8 was announced very close to the H300 which means that they are both of a similar age. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic SZ8 being a Compact camera and the Sony H300 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before going through a comprehensive comparison, below is a simple synopsis of how the SZ8 grades versus the H300 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ8 over the Sony H300

 SZ8 H300 

Reasons to pick Sony H300 over the Panasonic SZ8

 H300 SZ8 

Common features in the Panasonic SZ8 and Sony H300

 SZ8 H300 
AnnouncedJanuary 2014February 2014Same age
Focus manually Lack of manual focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display sizing
Display resolution460k460kThe same display resolution
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither features Touch friendly display

Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony H300 Physical Comparison

If you are planning to carry your camera often, you should take into account its weight and proportions. The Panasonic SZ8 enjoys outside measurements 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 H300 has measurements of 130mm x 95mm x 122mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 4.8") having a weight of 590 grams (1.30 lbs).

See the Panasonic SZ8 versus Sony H300 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you select at that moment. The following is the front view sizing comparison of the SZ8 against the H300.

Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony H300 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SZ8 and H300 is 94 and 63 respectively.

Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony H300 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony H300 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is hard to see the difference in sensor sizing purely by viewing a spec sheet. The visual below will help provide you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the SZ8 and H300.

As you can see, both of those cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but not the same megapixels. You can expect to see the Sony H300 to provide you with greater detail with its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also help you crop photos a little more aggressively.

Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony H300 sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony H300 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony H300 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic SZ8
Portrait photography with Sony H300
35
MP count good (16MP)
offers face detection autofocus
no manual focus
manual mode not available
cannot use external flash
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
40
sensor resolution is decent (20MP)
includes face detection focus
manual focus not available
no external flash support
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Street photography features
Sony H300 Street photography features
63
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors (159 grams)
fixed screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
43
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
heavier than competitors in class (590g)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic SZ8
Sports photography with Sony H300
34
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16MP)
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
small sensor size (1/2.3")
not so great battery (200 CIPA)
lacks phase detect autofocus
50
great zoom range (25-875mm 35.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (20MP)
includes tracking autofocus
good battery life (350 shots)
max frames per second low (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 as a Travel photography camera
Sony H300 as a Travel photography camera
67
lighter than competitors (159g)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
relatively wide (24mm)
long zoom (288mm)
missing Timelapse mode
not so great battery (200 shots)
display isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
56
good battery life (350 per charge)
sensor resolution is decent (20MP)
has built in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
great reach (875mm)
lack of Time Lapse recording
heavier than competitors in class (590g)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f3)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Landscape photography highlights
Sony H300 Landscape photography highlights
42
relatively wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
manual mode not available
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
not so great battery (200 CIPA)
missing Timelapse mode
47
pretty wide (25mm)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (20MP)
good battery life (350 shots)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
lack of Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Vlogging highlights
Sony H300 Vlogging highlights
32
relatively wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection autofocus
lighter than competitors (159g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
display isn't selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing external microphone jack
24
pretty wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detection focus
somewhat slow max aperture (f3)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of external mic support
heavier than competitors in class (590 grams)
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Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony H300 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ8 and Sony H300
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H300
General Information
Brand Panasonic Sony
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H300
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2014-01-06 2014-02-13
Physical type Compact SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Powered by Venus Engine Bionz(R)
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 surface area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 20 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 5152 x 3864
Maximum native ISO 1600 3200
Maximum enhanced ISO 6400 -
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 9 -
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-288mm (12.0x) 25-875mm (35.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.1-6.3 f/3-5.9
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 460 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen technology TFT LCD Clear Photo LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Viewfinder resolution - 201 thousand dots
Features
Minimum shutter speed 8 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/1500 secs
Continuous shutter rate 1.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 5.20 m 8.80 m
Flash modes Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off Auto, Flash On, Slow Synchro, Flash Off, Advanced Flash
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p), 320 x 240 (30p) 1280 x 720 (30p)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Mic support
Headphone support
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 sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 159 gr (0.35 lb) 590 gr (1.30 lb)
Dimensions 100 x 60 x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") 130 x 95 x 122mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 4.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 photos 350 photos
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (Off, 10 sec, 2 sec, portrait1, portrait2)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick PRO Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Single Single
Price at release $275 $249