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Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony H70

Portability
94
Imaging
40
Features
31
Overall
36
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H70 front
Portability
93
Imaging
39
Features
31
Overall
35

Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony H70 Key Specs

Panasonic SZ8
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Raise to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-288mm (F3.1-6.3) lens
  • 159g - 100 x 60 x 27mm
  • Introduced January 2014
Sony H70
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 194g - 102 x 58 x 29mm
  • Launched January 2011
Photography Glossary

Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony H70 Overview

Let's take a closer look at the Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony H70, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Panasonic and Sony. The resolution of the SZ8 (16MP) and the H70 (16MP) is fairly close and they enjoy the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The SZ8 was launched 3 years after the H70 which is a fairly big gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before diving straight into a detailed comparison, below is a quick summary of how the SZ8 matches up vs the H70 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ8 over the Sony H70

 SZ8 H70 
LaunchedJanuary 2014January 2011More modern by 37 months
Display resolution460k230kSharper display (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony H70 over the Panasonic SZ8

 H70 SZ8 

Common features in the Panasonic SZ8 and Sony H70

 SZ8 H70 
Manually focus Lack of manual focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display dimensions
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither includes Touch friendly display

Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony H70 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is looking to carry around your camera regularly, you need to think about its weight and volume. The Panasonic SZ8 features outside dimensions 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 H70 has sizing of 102mm x 58mm x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1") having a weight of 194 grams (0.43 lbs).

Look at the Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony H70 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you have at that time. Underneath is the front view dimension comparison of the SZ8 against the H70.

Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony H70 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the SZ8 and H70 is 94 and 93 respectively.

Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony H70 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony H70 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, its hard to visualize the difference in sensor sizes just by researching a spec sheet. The pic here should offer you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the SZ8 and H70.

As you can see, both cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing and the same exact megapixels so you should expect comparable quality of files though you will want to take the release date of the cameras into account. The more recent SZ8 provides an edge with regard to sensor innovation.

Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony H70 sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony H70 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony H70 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Portrait photography details
Sony H70 Portrait photography details
35
decent MP (16 megapixels)
includes face detect focus
lack of manual focus
lack of manual mode
can't use external flash
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
30
resolution is good (16MP)
focusing manually not possible
no manual mode
cannot use external flash
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Street photography factors
Sony H70 Street photography factors
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (159 grams)
screen does not articulate
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
57
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Sports photography factors
Sony H70 Sports photography factors
34
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
low battery power (200 CIPA)
lack of phase detect auto focus
36
built in image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic SZ8
Travel photography with Sony H70
67
lighter than others (159 grams)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
really wide (24mm)
very long reach (288mm)
does not have Time Lapse function
low battery power (200 CIPA)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
67
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
decently wide (25mm)
very long zoom (250mm)
lack of Timelapse recording
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Landscape photography factors
Sony H70 Landscape photography factors
42
really wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
lack of manual mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
low battery power (200 shots)
does not have Time Lapse function
43
decently wide (25mm)
good sized screen (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (16MP)
focusing manually not possible
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
no manual mode
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
lack of Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 as a Vlogging camera
Sony H70 as a Vlogging camera
32
really wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detect focus
lighter than others (159g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have mic socket
29
decently wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
display isn't selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of external microphone socket
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Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony H70 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ8 and Sony H70
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H70
General Information
Brand Panasonic Sony
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H70
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2014-01-06 2011-01-06
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by 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 16 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 1600 3200
Highest enhanced ISO 6400 -
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-288mm (12.0x) 25-250mm (10.0x)
Max aperture f/3.1-6.3 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focus range - 5cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3" 3"
Display resolution 460 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display tech TFT LCD Clear Photo LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 8 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shutter rate 1.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 5.20 m 3.60 m
Flash modes Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance 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)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 159g (0.35 lbs) 194g (0.43 lbs)
Dimensions 100 x 60 x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") 102 x 58 x 29mm (4.0" 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 type Battery Pack -
Battery model - NP-BG1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Card slots One One
Cost at release $275 $199