Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony HX30V
Portability
94 Imaging
40 Features
31 Overall
36
94 Imaging
40 Features
31 Overall
36
Portability
90 Imaging
41 Features
50 Overall
44
90 Imaging
41 Features
50 Overall
44
Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony HX30V Key Specs
Panasonic SZ8
(Full Review)
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- 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
- Launched January 2014
Sony HX30V
(Full Review)
(Full Review)
- 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 12800
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 25-500mm (F3.2-5.8) lens
- 254g - 107 x 62 x 35mm
- Revealed February 2012
- Superseded the Sony HX20V
- Successor is Sony HX50V
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Let's look a bit more in depth at the Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony HX30V, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by rivals Panasonic and Sony. The resolution of the SZ8 (16MP) and the HX30V (18MP) is pretty close and they use the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a LandslideThe SZ8 was revealed 23 months later than the HX30V which makes the cameras a generation apart from one another. Both the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).
Before delving straight into a step-by-step comparison, below is a brief overview of how the SZ8 scores vs the HX30V with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.
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Here is a preview of the gallery images for Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 & Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V. The full galleries are provided at Panasonic SZ8 Gallery & Sony HX30V Gallery.
Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ8 over the Sony HX30V
| SZ8 | HX30V | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revealed | January 2014 |  | February 2012 | Fresher by 23 months |
Reasons to pick Sony HX30V over the Panasonic SZ8
| HX30V | SZ8 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manually focus |  | Dial exact focus | ||
| Screen resolution | 922k |  | 460k | Sharper screen (+462k dot) |
Common features in the Panasonic SZ8 and Sony HX30V
| SZ8 | HX30V | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screen type | Fixed |  | Fixed | Fixed screen |
| Screen sizing | 3" |  | 3" | Equivalent screen dimensions |
| Selfie screen |  | Lack of selfie screen | ||
| Touch friendly screen |  | Neither features Touch friendly screen |
Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony HX30V Physical Comparison
If you're planning to carry your camera, you should factor its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic SZ8 enjoys outer measurements of 100mm x 60mm x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs) and the Sony HX30V has dimensions of 107mm x 62mm x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4") with a weight of 254 grams (0.56 lbs).
Analyze the Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony HX30V in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you have at that time. The following is the front view over all size comparison of the SZ8 compared to the HX30V.
Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SZ8 and HX30V is 94 and 90 respectively.
Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony HX30V Sensor Comparison
More often than not, it is very hard to imagine the difference in sensor sizing only by looking through a spec sheet. The visual here should give you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the SZ8 and HX30V.
As you can see, each of the cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit different MP. You can expect the Sony HX30V to provide you with greater detail because of its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop shots a little more aggressively. The younger SZ8 should have an advantage in sensor technology.
Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony HX30V Screen and ViewFinder
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Portrait Comparison
Panasonic SZ8 Portrait photography highlights
Sony HX30V Portrait photography highlights
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
includes face detection focus
focusing manually not possible
manual mode not possible
external flash not possible
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
you can focus manually
MP count decent (18 megapixels)
offers face detect autofocus
can't use external flash
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Panasonic SZ8 Street photography features
Sony HX30V Street photography features
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (159g)
fixed screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (254 grams)
screen is fixed
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Panasonic SZ8 Sports photography info
Sony HX30V Sports photography info
image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
continuous shooting slow (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
terrible battery life (200 CIPA)
lack of phase detect auto focus
great zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (18MP)
offers tracking focus
no shutter priority
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel photography with Panasonic SZ8
Travel photography with Sony HX30V
lighter than others in class (159g)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
built-in flash
pretty wide (24mm)
long zoom (288mm)
missing Time Lapse mode
terrible battery life (200 CIPA)
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.1)
lighter than competition (254 grams)
MP count decent (18 megapixels)
has built in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
great reach (500mm)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.2)
Photography GlossaryLandscape Comparison
Panasonic SZ8 Landscape photography features
Sony HX30V Landscape photography features
pretty wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
manual mode not possible
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
terrible battery life (200 shots)
missing Time Lapse mode
you can focus manually
pretty wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (18 megapixels)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.2)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
doesn't have Timelapse mode
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Panasonic SZ8 Vlogging highlights
Sony HX30V Vlogging highlights
pretty wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detection focus
lighter than others in class (159 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing external mic socket
pretty wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detect autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition (254g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.2)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
doesn't have microphone socket
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Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony HX30V Specifications
| Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Manufacturer | Panasonic | Sony |
| Model type | Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V |
| Category | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Superzoom |
| Launched | 2014-01-06 | 2012-02-28 |
| Physical type | Compact | Compact |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Processor | Venus Engine | BIONZ |
| Sensor type | CCD | BSI-CMOS |
| 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 megapixel | 18 megapixel |
| Anti alias filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 4:3 and 16:9 |
| Maximum resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4896 x 3672 |
| Maximum native ISO | 1600 | 12800 |
| Maximum boosted ISO | 6400 | - |
| Min native ISO | 100 | 100 |
| RAW data | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Manual focusing | ||
| Touch focus | ||
| AF continuous | ||
| Single AF | ||
| Tracking AF | ||
| Selective AF | ||
| AF center weighted | ||
| Multi area AF | ||
| AF live view | ||
| Face detection focusing | ||
| Contract detection focusing | ||
| Phase detection focusing | ||
| Total focus points | 9 | 9 |
| Lens | ||
| Lens mount type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
| Lens zoom range | 24-288mm (12.0x) | 25-500mm (20.0x) |
| Largest aperture | f/3.1-6.3 | f/3.2-5.8 |
| Macro focusing range | - | 1cm |
| Crop factor | 5.9 | 5.8 |
| Screen | ||
| Type of screen | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
| Screen sizing | 3 inches | 3 inches |
| Screen resolution | 460 thousand dots | 922 thousand dots |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch screen | ||
| Screen tech | TFT LCD | XtraFine TruBlack TFT LCD |
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder | None | None |
| Features | ||
| Lowest shutter speed | 8s | 30s |
| Highest shutter speed | 1/2000s | 1/1600s |
| Continuous shooting rate | 1.0fps | 10.0fps |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Manual mode | ||
| Exposure compensation | - | Yes |
| Set WB | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Built-in flash | ||
| Flash distance | 5.20 m | 7.10 m |
| Flash settings | Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off | Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync |
| Hot shoe | ||
| AE bracketing | ||
| WB bracketing | ||
| Exposure | ||
| Multisegment metering | ||
| Average metering | ||
| Spot metering | ||
| Partial metering | ||
| AF area metering | ||
| Center weighted metering | ||
| Video features | ||
| Supported video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p), 320 x 240 (30p) | 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
| Maximum video resolution | 1280x720 | 1920x1080 |
| Video data format | Motion JPEG | MPEG-4, AVCHD |
| Microphone port | ||
| Headphone port | ||
| Connectivity | ||
| Wireless | Built-In | Built-In |
| Bluetooth | ||
| NFC | ||
| HDMI | ||
| USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
| GPS | None | BuiltIn |
| Physical | ||
| Environment sealing | ||
| Water proofing | ||
| Dust proofing | ||
| Shock proofing | ||
| Crush proofing | ||
| Freeze proofing | ||
| Weight | 159 gr (0.35 pounds) | 254 gr (0.56 pounds) |
| Dimensions | 100 x 60 x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") | 107 x 62 x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4") |
| 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 images | 320 images |
| Battery type | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
| Battery ID | - | NP-BG1 |
| Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2) |
| Time lapse shooting | ||
| Storage type | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo |
| Card slots | 1 | 1 |
| Price at launch | $275 | $420 |