Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony H55
94 Imaging
40 Features
31 Overall
36


92 Imaging
36 Features
28 Overall
32
Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony H55 Key Specs
(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
(Full Review)
- 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 3200
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 25-250mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
- 200g - 103 x 58 x 29mm
- Announced June 2010

Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony H55 Overview
Let's examine more in depth at the Panasonic SZ8 versus Sony H55, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Panasonic and Sony. The resolution of the SZ8 (16MP) and the H55 (14MP) is pretty comparable and they come with the exact same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

The SZ8 was launched 3 years later than the H55 and that is a fairly serious difference as far as camera technology is concerned. The two cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).
Before going straight into a complete comparison, below is a short view of how the SZ8 grades versus the H55 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony H55 Gallery
This is a preview of the gallery images for Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 & Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H55. The complete galleries are viewable at Panasonic SZ8 Gallery & Sony H55 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ8 over the Sony H55
SZ8 | H55 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | January 2014 | ![]() | June 2010 | Fresher by 44 months |
Screen resolution | 460k | ![]() | 230k | Sharper screen (+230k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sony H55 over the Panasonic SZ8
H55 | SZ8 |
---|
Common features in the Panasonic SZ8 and Sony H55
SZ8 | H55 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Lack of manual focusing | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen dimension | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Identical screen sizing |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither contains selfie screen | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Neither contains Touch screen |
Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony H55 Physical Comparison
If you're looking to carry your camera regularly, you are going to need to factor in its weight and proportions. The Panasonic SZ8 has got external measurements of 100mm x 60mm x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") and a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs) and the Sony H55 has measurements of 103mm x 58mm x 29mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") and a weight of 200 grams (0.44 lbs).
Contrast the Panasonic SZ8 versus Sony H55 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Always remember, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you select at that moment. Following is the front view scale comparison of the SZ8 against the H55.

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SZ8 and H55 is 94 and 92 respectively.

Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony H55 Sensor Comparison
Normally, it is very hard to imagine the contrast in sensor sizing purely by going through technical specs. The photograph here may give you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the SZ8 and H55.
As you have seen, both of the cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements albeit different MP. You can expect the Panasonic SZ8 to show extra detail utilizing its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop shots somewhat more aggressively. The newer SZ8 should have an edge in sensor technology.

Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony H55 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony H55 Specifications
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H55 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Panasonic | Sony |
Model | Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H55 |
Category | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Compact |
Released | 2014-01-06 | 2010-06-16 |
Body design | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | Venus Engine | Bionz |
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 surface area | 27.7mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16MP | 14MP |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 4:3 and 16:9 |
Max resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4320 x 3240 |
Max native ISO | 1600 | 3200 |
Max enhanced ISO | 6400 | - |
Lowest native ISO | 100 | 80 |
RAW images | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch to focus | ||
AF continuous | ||
Single AF | ||
Tracking AF | ||
AF selectice | ||
AF center weighted | ||
Multi area AF | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detect focusing | ||
Contract detect focusing | ||
Phase detect focusing | ||
Number of focus points | 9 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 24-288mm (12.0x) | 25-250mm (10.0x) |
Largest aperture | f/3.1-6.3 | f/3.5-5.5 |
Macro focus distance | - | 5cm |
Crop factor | 5.9 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Range of display | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display diagonal | 3 inches | 3 inches |
Resolution of display | 460 thousand dot | 230 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch functionality | ||
Display tech | TFT LCD | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 8 seconds | 30 seconds |
Max shutter speed | 1/2000 seconds | 1/1600 seconds |
Continuous shutter speed | 1.0fps | 10.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Change WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash range | 5.20 m | 3.80 m |
Flash options | Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off | Auto, On, Slow Syncro, Off |
External flash | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p), 320 x 240 (30p) | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Max video resolution | 1280x720 | 1280x720 |
Video file format | Motion JPEG | MPEG-4 |
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 | ||
Environment seal | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 159 grams (0.35 lb) | 200 grams (0.44 lb) |
Dimensions | 100 x 60 x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") | 103 x 58 x 29mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall score | not tested | not tested |
DXO Color Depth score | not tested | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range score | not tested | not tested |
DXO Low light score | not tested | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery life | 200 shots | - |
Battery format | Battery Pack | - |
Battery model | - | NP-BG1 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, portrait1/ portrait2) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal | Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo/ PRO HG-Duo, SD/SDHC, Internal |
Storage slots | Single | Single |
Retail pricing | $275 | $235 |