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Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony HX90V

Portability
94
Imaging
40
Features
31
Overall
36
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX90V front
Portability
91
Imaging
44
Features
63
Overall
51

Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony HX90V Key Specs

Panasonic SZ8
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Boost 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
Sony HX90V
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 80 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.5-6.4) lens
  • 245g - 102 x 58 x 36mm
  • Announced April 2015
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Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony HX90V Overview

Its time to take a closer look at the Panasonic SZ8 and Sony HX90V, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by rivals Panasonic and Sony. The sensor resolution of the SZ8 (16MP) and the HX90V (18MP) is relatively well matched and they enjoy the exact same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The SZ8 was manufactured 15 months before the HX90V which makes the cameras a generation away from one another. Both of the cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before getting in to a comprehensive comparison, below is a short synopsis of how the SZ8 grades versus the HX90V in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ8 over the Sony HX90V

 SZ8 HX90V 

Reasons to pick Sony HX90V over the Panasonic SZ8

 HX90V SZ8 
AnnouncedApril 2015January 2014More modern by 15 months
Focus manually Very exact focusing
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution921k460kClearer screen (+461k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Panasonic SZ8 and Sony HX90V

 SZ8 HX90V 
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen dimensions
Touch screen Missing Touch screen

Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony HX90V Physical Comparison

If you are looking to carry around your camera often, you'll need to think about its weight and proportions. The Panasonic SZ8 has got physical dimensions of 100mm x 60mm x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") and a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs) whilst the Sony HX90V has measurements of 102mm x 58mm x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.4") having a weight of 245 grams (0.54 lbs).

Compare the Panasonic SZ8 and Sony HX90V in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are working with at the time. Below is the front view measurements comparison of the SZ8 and the HX90V.

Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony HX90V size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SZ8 and HX90V is 94 and 91 respectively.

Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony HX90V top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony HX90V Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it can be tough to see the difference between sensor sizes purely by checking technical specs. The picture underneath may offer you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the SZ8 and HX90V.

As you can tell, the 2 cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements albeit not the same resolution. You can count on the Sony HX90V to give greater detail due to its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will help you crop pictures much more aggressively. The more aged SZ8 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor technology.

Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony HX90V sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony HX90V Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony HX90V Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Portrait photography info
Sony HX90V Portrait photography info
35
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
has face detect focusing
no manual focus
manual mode not available
cannot use external flash
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
46
manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (18MP)
provides face detect autofocus
can't use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Street photography advice
Sony HX90V Street photography advice
63
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (159g)
screen does not articulate
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
70
screen tilts up and down
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (245 grams)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic SZ8
Sports photography with Sony HX90V
34
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16MP)
slow frames per second (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is small (1/2.3")
not so great battery power (200 shots)
lacks phase detect AF
57
amazing zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (18 megapixels)
provides tracking focus
better than average battery life (360 shots)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Travel photography advice
Sony HX90V Travel photography advice
67
lighter than average in class (159 grams)
decent megapixels (16MP)
has built in flash
really wide (24mm)
very long zoom (288mm)
no Time Lapse recording
not so great battery power (200 shots)
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
76
better than average battery life (360 per charge)
lighter than competition in class (245 grams)
sensor resolution is decent (18 megapixels)
flash built-in
selfie friendly display
rather wide (24mm)
very long reach (720mm)
no Timelapse mode
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Landscape photography info
Sony HX90V Landscape photography info
42
really wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16MP)
no manual focus
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
manual mode not available
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
not so great battery power (200 per charge)
no Time Lapse recording
53
manual focus
rather wide (24mm)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (18 megapixels)
better than average battery life (360 per charge)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
no Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Vlogging advice
Sony HX90V Vlogging advice
32
really wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect focusing
lighter than average in class (159 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
no mic support
75
rather wide (24mm)
selfie friendly display
built in image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect autofocus
high video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition in class (245g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
no microphone jack
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Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony HX90V Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ8 and Sony HX90V
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX90V
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Sony
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX90V
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2014-01-06 2015-04-14
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Venus Engine Bionz X
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 16MP 18MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 4896 x 3672
Highest native ISO 1600 12800
Highest enhanced ISO 6400 -
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-288mm (12.0x) 24-720mm (30.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.1-6.3 f/3.5-6.4
Macro focusing distance - 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen size 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 460 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen tech TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 638 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.5x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 8 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 1.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 5.20 m 5.40 m (with Auto ISO)
Flash settings Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off Auto, flash on, slow sync, flash off, rear sync
External flash
AEB
White balance 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 (60p, 60i, 30p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (30p)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG AVCHD, XAVC S
Microphone input
Headphone input
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
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 159 gr (0.35 lbs) 245 gr (0.54 lbs)
Dimensions 100 x 60 x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") 102 x 58 x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 360 images
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-BX1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo
Storage slots Single Single
Launch price $275 $440