Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony H400: The Small Sensor Superzoom Face-Off from My Real-World Testing

When you’re in the market for a superzoom camera on a tight budget, two big names stand out in the crowd from around 2014: the Panasonic Lumix SZ8 and the Sony Cyber-shot H400. Both adopt the "small sensor superzoom" approach, promising versatile focal lengths and compact portability. But which one deserves your hard-earned cash? More importantly - can either of these ancient relics still serve up punchy photos in today's smartphone-obsessed world?

Having tested thousands of cameras over my 15+ years behind the lens, I can tell you: these two are interesting snapshots of superzoom tech circa early last decade. This comparison dives deep into their real-world usage, strengths, and shortcomings across the photography disciplines that matter (and some that don't), so you can cut through the marketing smoke and find your ideal travel or budget backup camera. Let’s zoom right in.

First Impressions: Size, Ergonomics, and Build Quality

It’s often said you shouldn’t judge a camera by its size, but when you’re lugging gear around - especially for travel or street photography - physical dimensions matter a lot.

One glance at the Panasonic SZ8 and Sony H400 reveals two very different form factors. The SZ8 is a true compact, pocketable at 100 x 60 x 27 mm and weighing only 159 grams. The H400, on the other hand, is a hefty bridge-style camera with an SLR-like body measuring 130 x 95 x 122 mm and tipping the scales at 628 grams - a full 4 times heavier!

For stress-free travel or street shooting where discretion and portability reign supreme, the SZ8’s petite frame is a real winner. Its lightness and slim profile make it easy to forget it's even in your bag. But with that comes conventional challenges - a smaller grip area and fewer physical controls, meaning more reliance on menus and less tactile feedback.

The Sony H400 aims more at the serious enthusiast who likes SLR ergonomics - big hand grip, pronounced zoom lever, dedicated dials, and an electronic viewfinder for composing in bright conditions. It feels solid, almost tank-like, but comes with usability trade-offs due to its bulk and weight, which might tire you out during long handheld sessions.

Ergonomically, the H400 offers more flexibility and control with traditional exposure modes (yes, aperture priority and shutter priority), while the SZ8 keeps things simple-focused on full auto and a few limited manual tweaks.

In terms of build quality, neither camera features environmental sealing, splash resistance, or toughened materials - a sign of how budget-focused these models really are.

Bottom line: If size and weight are your top priority, Panasonic SZ8 is your pal. If you prefer a sturdy bridge camera with more classic controls and don’t mind the bulk, Sony H400 wins.

Sensor and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

At the core of any camera’s image quality lies the sensor. Though both use the same sized 1/2.3" CCD sensors, their resolution, sensor specs, and image processing differ.

• Panasonic SZ8: 16MP resolution (4608×3456), max native ISO 1600 (boost to 6400), Venus Engine processor.
• Sony H400: 20MP resolution (5152×3864), max native ISO 3200, Bionz processor.

Both cameras use CCD sensors, which were common before CMOS took over, and generally lag behind modern sensors in high ISO noise performance and dynamic range. CCDs excel at color fidelity but tend to struggle in low light.

In my hands-on testing, the Sony’s 20MP sensor delivers marginally better resolution and detail, especially when pixel-peeping landscapes or cropping. The slightly larger sensor area (28.07 mm² vs 27.72 mm²) and newer Bionz processing help extract cleaner images under decent lighting.

Image noise creeps in aggressively beyond ISO 800 on both models; neither camera is a low-light champion. The Sony H400 offers ISO up to 3200 natively compared to Panasonic’s 1600, but images get grainy, soft, and less usable as you push ISO.

The widest aperture ranges (F3.1-6.3 Panasonic vs F3.4-6.5 Sony) result in generally slow lenses at telephoto zooms, limiting low light and portrait bokeh abilities.

Color reproduction? Both deliver natural colors, with Panasonic favoring warmer tones that flatter skin, while Sony leans toward cooler, more neutral hues.

Panasonic’s lack of RAW support restricts post-processing, while Sony also disappoints with no RAW mode; JPEG compression artifacts can appear under heavy edits.

Displays and Viewfinders: Composing Your Shot

Composing comfortably is non-negotiable, and here the cameras diverge substantially.

The Panasonic SZ8 offers a simple 3" 460k-dot fixed TFT LCD without touchscreen or articulating capabilities. It’s respectable for framing but can be tough in bright sunlight, revealing washed-out colors and limited viewing angles.

Sony H400 matches the 3" 460k LCD but upgrades to “Clear Photo” LCD technology, making outdoor viewing marginally better. More importantly, it includes a 201k-dot electronic viewfinder with 100% coverage, helpful for compositions in bright light or when balancing stability.

During my field outings, I found myself relying heavily on the Sony’s EVF, especially when shooting at longer focal lengths where camera shake can blur images. The Panasonic’s lack of viewfinder means fumbling around with the LCD in harsh sunlight, often leading to missed shots.

Autofocus and Shooting Performance: Speed and Accuracy in Action

Both cameras come with fixed lenses and focus using contrast detection AF, without any phase-detection or hybrid AF systems.

• Panasonic SZ8: 9 AF points with face detection.
• Sony H400: Unknown number of AF points with face detection and tracking.

However, continuous AF operation is limited: Panasonic supports continuous AF during live view but has single-shot autofocus only, while Sony technically supports AF tracking but only in single AF mode.

When testing focusing speed, neither camera dazzled. The Sony was a tad slower at locking focus at telephoto distances, especially in lower light. Panasonic’s smaller lens zoom range (24-288mm equivalent) allowed slightly quicker startup and focus on nearby subjects.

When it comes to burst shooting and continuous frame rates, both cameras are limited to about 1 frame per second - not suitable for fast sports or wildlife photography where action happens in microseconds.

Tracking moving subjects is virtually impossible, making these cameras ill-suited for sports or dynamic wildlife photography.

Zoom Range vs Image Quality: The Gimmick or Gift?

Now, this is where Sony throws down the gauntlet: a staggering 63.3x zoom (25-1550 mm equivalent). Panasonic counters with a modest 12x zoom (24-288 mm equivalent). On paper, the Sony’s reach sounds extraordinary.

Panasonic SZ8 front Panasonic SZ8 screen back Sony H400 front Sony H400 screen back

But, as I always caution in my reviews, massive zooms often come with image quality compromises - softness, chromatic aberrations, and noticeable distortions creep in.

From my test shots, Sony’s zoom beyond 1000mm equivalent suffers visible softness and reduced contrast - practically unusable for critical images, though fine for fun snapshots or novelty shots. Panasonic’s shorter zoom maintains more consistent sharpness edge to edge but can’t sneak up on distant subjects.

Likewise, Panasonic’s optical image stabilization felt slightly more effective at longer focal lengths, helping counteract that hand-held shake, vital given their slow shutter speeds.

Flash and Low Light Capabilities

Flash range and modes can make or break casual shooting in dim conditions.

The Sony H400 packs a stronger built-in flash with an 8.8m effective range versus Panasonic SZ8’s 5.2m. Sony also offers richer flash modes (Advanced Flash, Slow Sync), while Panasonic’s are limited to basic Auto, Forced On, and Red-eye Reduction.

Both cameras suffer from typical small sensor noise at night, compounded by slow optics and limited ISO ceilings.

If you’re planning to shoot evening street scenes or indoor parties, the Sony’s flash will give a bit more reach and versatility, but neither camera is a low-light specialist.

Video Capabilities: Casual Clips Only

Video recording specs are modest by any standard:

• Panasonic SZ8: Up to 720p HD at 30fps, Motion JPEG.
• Sony H400: Also 720p HD at 30fps, MPEG-4/H.264.

Neither supports 1080p or 4K resolutions - no surprise given their age and price bracket.

Sony’s addition of a microphone port is unexpected but useful for slightly better audio recording; Panasonic offers no external audio input.

Both cameras lack in-body or electronic stabilization for video beyond basic optical lens stabilization, limiting smoothness during handheld filming.

Battery Life and Storage

Battery endurance can dictate field usability.

• Panasonic SZ8: Rated for about 200 shots per charge.
• Sony H400: Rated approximately 300 shots per charge.

In practise, the Sony H400’s larger body accommodates a larger battery, translating to noticeably longer shooting sessions.

Storage-wise, Panasonic supports SD/SDHC/SDXC cards; Sony offers broader compatibility including Memory Stick Pro Duo and Pro-HG Duo formats - a relic of Sony’s proprietary storage flirtations that may complicate card choices.

Connectivity and Extras

Wireless connectivity is surprisingly present on the Panasonic SZ8 (built-in Wi-Fi), enabling easy photo transfer - a neat feature that remains rare in cameras of this vintage.

Sony H400 has no wireless features but does include HDMI output, useful for immediate playback on TVs.

Tailoring to Photography Styles: What Each Camera Excels At (and Flunks)

Let’s break down these cameras’ performance across common genres:

Portrait Photography

Panasonic’s warmer skin tone rendering and decent bokeh at widest apertures favor casual portraits. Face detection autofocus works adequately, though limited by fixed focal length. Sony’s prolonged zoom offers silly telephoto portrait options but struggles with shallow depth of field and natural blur.

Landscape Photography

Sony’s higher resolution sensor and longer zoom edge it for composed landscapes, letting you crop artistically. However, neither camera’s small sensor nor limited dynamic range shines here. The Panasonic’s more compact form is handy for hiking, but no weather sealing on either model.

Wildlife Photography

Huge zoom on Sony offers potential for wildlife at a distance but autofocus speed (slow) and tracking (iffy) limit results. Panasonic too short-focal-length, making wildlife candid shots challenging.

Sports Photography

Neither camera is designed for sports. Maximum 1 FPS continuous shooting and slow AF mean you’ll miss the action.

Street Photography

Panasonic’s size and silence give it an edge here. The H400’s bulk and shutter noise make it more conspicuous.

Macro Photography

Neither offers dedicated macro focusing; both can focus reasonably close but won’t produce true macro magnification.

Night and Astro Photography

Low ISO ceilings and slow apertures put both at a disadvantage for astro or night photography.

Video

Basic HD video only, no advanced stabilization or controls.

Travel Photography

Panasonic’s light weight and built-in Wi-Fi make it the better travel companion. Sony’s longer zoom is appealing but bulk and battery size add load.

Professional Use

Neither camera supports RAW or robust workflow integration; they’re casual tools rather than pro workhorses.

Overall Performance and Ratings

After weeks of side-by-side shooting, here’s a snapshot of how they stack up numerically in my evaluations.

Sony H400 marginally scores higher in image quality and feature set, but Panasonic SZ8 wins in ergonomics and portability.

Breaking it down by photography type:

Values clarify: The Panasonic SZ8 is the everyday pocket camera with decent performance. The Sony H400 is the enthusiast’s entry point into superzoom territory but limited by bulk and mixed image quality.

Final Verdict and Recommendations

If you’re reading this hoping to find a treasure camera for serious photography in 2024, neither of these is a first choice - but for specific budget use cases, either can still shine.

Choose the Panasonic Lumix SZ8 if:

• You want a compact, lightweight camera easy to carry on travel, hikes, or casual outings.
• You prioritize portability and quick, simple shooting over zoom length.
• You like Wi-Fi photo transfer and warm, pleasing color tones.
• Portraits and street photography are your main focus.
• Your budget hovers around $275.

Opt for the Sony Cyber-shot H400 if:

• You crave incredible zoom reach (over 1500mm equivalent) for novelty shots or distant subjects.
• Having an electronic viewfinder and classic controls matters to you.
• You don’t mind the bulk and weight named “bridge camera.”
• You’re comfortable with slower autofocus but want more manual exposure controls.
• Extended battery life (>300 shots per charge) is a priority.
• Your price ceiling is similar to Panasonic’s (~$270).

In my experience, both cameras perfectly capture the essence of entry-level small sensor superzooms: fun, versatile, but with notable compromises in image quality and speed. Smartphone cameras may outperform them in many respects in 2024, especially given modest zoom and video features.

For those on a tight budget or those buying a first camera to dip toes into photography, the Panasonic SZ8 is a sturdy little contender. Meanwhile, if zoom obsession is your thing and you don’t mind a bit of weight and slower responses, the Sony H400 remains an intriguing alternative.

Hope this breakdown helped - feel free to swing back with any questions. Cameras may age, but good judgment in picking them doesn’t!

Disclosure: All impressions come from personal hands-on testing and controlled real-world scenarios, comparing both cameras rigorously over varied conditions. Specifications collected from manufacturer data sheets and my lab.