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Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony HX5

Portability
94
Imaging
40
Features
31
Overall
36
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX5 front
Portability
92
Imaging
33
Features
30
Overall
31

Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony HX5 Key Specs

Panasonic SZ8
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Push 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 HX5
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.4" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 200g - 102 x 58 x 29mm
  • Announced June 2010
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Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony HX5 Overview

On this page, we will be comparing the Panasonic SZ8 versus Sony HX5, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by manufacturers Panasonic and Sony. There is a huge difference among the sensor resolutions of the SZ8 (16MP) and HX5 (10MP) and the SZ8 (1/2.3") and HX5 (1/2.4") posses totally different sensor sizes.

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The SZ8 was brought out 3 years after the HX5 which is a fairly significant gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before getting into a in-depth comparison, here is a concise summation of how the SZ8 scores vs the HX5 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Photography Glossary

        

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ8 over the Sony HX5

 SZ8 HX5 
AnnouncedJanuary 2014June 2010Newer by 44 months
Screen resolution460k230kClearer screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony HX5 over the Panasonic SZ8

 HX5 SZ8 

Common features in the Panasonic SZ8 and Sony HX5

 SZ8 HX5 
Focus manually No manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen dimensions
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither has Touch friendly screen

Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony HX5 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is intending to travel with your camera often, you should factor its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic SZ8 has external dimensions of 100mm x 60mm x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") having a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs) while the Sony HX5 has dimensions of 102mm x 58mm x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1") along with a weight of 200 grams (0.44 lbs).

Contrast the Panasonic SZ8 versus Sony HX5 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you use at that moment. Following is a front view sizing comparison of the SZ8 versus the HX5.

Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony HX5 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the SZ8 and HX5 is 94 and 92 respectively.

Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony HX5 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony HX5 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it can be hard to envision the contrast in sensor dimensions merely by researching specs. The pic here will give you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the SZ8 and HX5.

All in all, both of these cameras have different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The SZ8 featuring a bigger sensor will make shooting shallow depth of field less difficult and the Panasonic SZ8 will result in greater detail having its extra 6MP. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop photographs a bit more aggressively. The newer SZ8 will have a benefit when it comes to sensor tech.

Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony HX5 sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony HX5 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony HX5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Portrait photography features
Sony HX5 Portrait photography features
35
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
has face detect focus
no manual focus
no manual control
no external flash support
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
19
manual focus not available
external flash not possible
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.4")
does not have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 as a Street photography camera
Sony HX5 as a Street photography camera
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (159g)
no articulating screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
55
image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is tiny (1/2.4")
does not have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 as a Sports photography camera
Sony HX5 as a Sports photography camera
34
image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
low battery life (200 CIPA)
has no phase detect auto focus
26
image stabilization (Optical)
no shutter priority mode
sensor resolution low (10MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.4")
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 as a Travel photography camera
Sony HX5 as a Travel photography camera
67
lighter than average in class (159 grams)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
has built in flash
really wide (24mm)
very long zoom (288mm)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
low battery life (200 CIPA)
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
60
flash built-in
really wide (25mm)
very long zoom (250mm)
lack of Time Lapse mode
sensor resolution low (10MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Landscape photography info
Sony HX5 Landscape photography info
42
really wide (24mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
no manual focus
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
no manual control
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
low battery life (200 CIPA)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
37
really wide (25mm)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
sensor resolution low (10MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.4")
does not have RAW files
lack of Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Vlogging factors
Sony HX5 Vlogging factors
32
really wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect focus
lighter than average in class (159g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have microphone jack
31
really wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of external mic jack
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Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony HX5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ8 and Sony HX5
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX5
General Information
Make Panasonic Sony
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX5
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2014-01-06 2010-06-16
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Venus Engine Bionz
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.4"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.104 x 4.578mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 27.9mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 10 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 3456 x 2592
Max native ISO 1600 3200
Max enhanced ISO 6400 -
Min native ISO 100 125
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-288mm (12.0x) 25-250mm (10.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.1-6.3 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focus distance - 5cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.9
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3" 3"
Screen resolution 460 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen technology TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 8s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/1600s
Continuous shutter speed 1.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change white balance
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, Off, Slow syncro
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB 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) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (60, 30fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG AVCHD
Mic 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 BuiltIn
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 159 grams (0.35 lbs) 200 grams (0.44 lbs)
Physical 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 pictures -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model - NP-BG1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, portrait1/portrait2)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo/ PRO HG-Duo, optional SD/SDHC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Cost at release $275 $275