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Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony HX99

Portability
94
Imaging
40
Features
31
Overall
36
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX99 front
Portability
91
Imaging
45
Features
67
Overall
53

Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony HX99 Key Specs

Panasonic SZ8
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • 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 HX99
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3-inch Sensor
  • 3.00" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 80 - 12800
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.5-6.4) lens
  • 242g - 102 x 58 x 36mm
  • Released September 2018
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Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony HX99 Overview

In this write-up, we will be evaluating the Panasonic SZ8 versus Sony HX99, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by companies Panasonic and Sony. The image resolution of the SZ8 (16MP) and the HX99 (18MP) is pretty well matched but the SZ8 (1/2.3") and HX99 (1/2.3-inch) use different sensor sizes.

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The SZ8 was introduced 5 years prior to the HX99 which is quite a serious gap as far as technology is concerned. The two cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before delving through a complete comparison, below is a short summation of how the SZ8 matches up against the HX99 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ8 over the Sony HX99

 SZ8 HX99 

Reasons to pick Sony HX99 over the Panasonic SZ8

 HX99 SZ8 
ReleasedSeptember 2018January 2014Newer by 56 months
Manually focus More precise focus
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution921k460kClearer screen (+461k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Panasonic SZ8 and Sony HX99

 SZ8 HX99 
Screen sizing3"3.00"Equivalent screen dimensions

Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony HX99 Physical Comparison

For those who are intending to travel with your camera, you'll need to consider its weight and measurements. The Panasonic SZ8 enjoys outside dimensions of 100mm x 60mm x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs) while the Sony HX99 has proportions of 102mm x 58mm x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.4") with a weight of 242 grams (0.53 lbs).

Contrast the Panasonic SZ8 versus Sony HX99 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are working with during that time. Below is the front view dimension comparison of the SZ8 compared to the HX99.

Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony HX99 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SZ8 and HX99 is 94 and 91 respectively.

Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony HX99 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony HX99 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is very hard to picture the contrast between sensor dimensions only by checking technical specs. The pic here will offer you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the SZ8 and HX99.

As you can tell, the 2 cameras enjoy different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The SZ8 with its bigger sensor is going to make getting bokeh less difficult and the Sony HX99 will give greater detail using its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also let you crop pictures far more aggressively. The more aged SZ8 is going to be behind when it comes to sensor technology.

Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony HX99 sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony HX99 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony HX99 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Portrait photography info
Sony HX99 Portrait photography info
35
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
provides face detect focusing
lack of manual focus
manual exposure not available
can't use external flash
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
53
manual focus
megapixel count good (18MP)
has face detection focus
exports RAW files
can't use external flash
small sensor size (1/2.3-inch)
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Street Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Street photography factors
Sony HX99 Street photography factors
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (159g)
screen is fixed
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
77
has a tilting screen
has image stabilization
exports RAW files
lighter than competition (242g)
small sensor size (1/2.3-inch)
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Sports photography information
Sony HX99 Sports photography information
34
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
max fps low (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
bad battery life (200 CIPA)
has no phase detect AF
58
excellent zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization
megapixel count good (18MP)
has tracking autofocus
better than average battery power (360 CIPA)
small sensor size (1/2.3-inch)
lacks phase detect auto focus
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic SZ8
Travel photography with Sony HX99
67
lighter than others (159g)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
has built in flash
really wide (24mm)
long zoom (288mm)
does not have Time Lapse recording
bad battery life (200 per charge)
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
76
better than average battery power (360 per charge)
lighter than competition (242 grams)
megapixel count good (18MP)
flash built-in
selfie friendly display
decently wide (24mm)
long zoom (720mm)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic SZ8
Landscape photography with Sony HX99
42
really wide (24mm)
screen is a decent size (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
manual exposure not available
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
bad battery life (200 CIPA)
does not have Time Lapse recording
58
manual focus
decently wide (24mm)
good sized screen (3.00 inches)
has image stabilization
megapixel count good (18 megapixels)
exports RAW files
better than average battery power (360 CIPA)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
small sensor size (1/2.3-inch)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 as a Vlogging camera
Sony HX99 as a Vlogging camera
32
really wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect focusing
lighter than others (159g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have mic port
76
decently wide (24mm)
selfie friendly display
touch screen
has image stabilization
has face detection focus
video res high (3840 x 2160 pixels)
lighter than competition (242 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
doesn't have external microphone jack
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Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony HX99 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ8 and Sony HX99
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX99
General Information
Brand Panasonic Sony
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX99
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2014-01-06 2018-09-01
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Venus Engine -
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3-inch
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 18 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 4896 x 3672
Max native ISO 1600 12800
Max boosted ISO 6400 -
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-288mm (12.0x) 24-720mm (30.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.1-6.3 f/3.5-6.4
Macro focus range - 5cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display sizing 3 inch 3.00 inch
Display resolution 460k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display tech TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 638k dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.5x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 8s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/2000s
Continuous shooting speed 1.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 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
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p), 320 x 240 (30p) 3840 x 2160 (30p, 24p), 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 30p, 24p, 120p)
Max video resolution 1280x720 3840x2160
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 None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 159 grams (0.35 lbs) 242 grams (0.53 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 All around 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 360 pictures
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - NP-BX1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo
Storage slots 1 1
Price at launch $275 $469