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Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony HX9V

Portability
94
Imaging
40
Features
31
Overall
36
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX9V front
Portability
91
Imaging
39
Features
46
Overall
41

Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony HX9V Key Specs

Panasonic SZ8
(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
  • Introduced January 2014
Sony HX9V
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-384mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 245g - 105 x 59 x 34mm
  • Introduced July 2011
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Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony HX9V Overview

On this page, we are looking at the Panasonic SZ8 versus Sony HX9V, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by companies Panasonic and Sony. The resolution of the SZ8 (16MP) and the HX9V (16MP) is very well matched and both cameras boast the same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The SZ8 was announced 2 years later than the HX9V and that is quite a big gap as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before getting right into a step-by-step comparison, here is a brief highlight of how the SZ8 grades against the HX9V for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ8 over the Sony HX9V

 SZ8 HX9V 
IntroducedJanuary 2014July 2011Fresher by 31 months

Reasons to pick Sony HX9V over the Panasonic SZ8

 HX9V SZ8 
Manual focus More exact focus
Display resolution921k460kCrisper display (+461k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic SZ8 and Sony HX9V

 SZ8 HX9V 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display dimensions
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch display Neither features Touch display

Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony HX9V Physical Comparison

For anyone who is planning to carry your camera, you will want to consider its weight and proportions. The Panasonic SZ8 enjoys exterior measurements of 100mm x 60mm x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") along with a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs) whilst the Sony HX9V has measurements of 105mm x 59mm x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 245 grams (0.54 lbs).

Examine the Panasonic SZ8 versus Sony HX9V in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are using at that moment. The following is a front view dimensions comparison of the SZ8 versus the HX9V.

Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony HX9V size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the SZ8 and HX9V is 94 and 91 respectively.

Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony HX9V top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony HX9V Sensor Comparison

Generally, it can be hard to see the gap between sensor sizing just by looking at specifications. The photograph underneath may give you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the SZ8 and HX9V.

Plainly, both of the cameras have the same sensor dimensions and the same exact megapixels therefore you should expect similar quality of photographs but you will want to take the release date of the products into consideration. The more modern SZ8 is going to have an edge when it comes to sensor innovation.

Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony HX9V sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony HX9V Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony HX9V Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Portrait photography details
Sony HX9V Portrait photography details
35
decent MP (16 megapixels)
comes with face detection focus
no manual focus
manual mode not available
can't use external flash
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
39
has manual focus
megapixel count decent (16MP)
cannot use external flash
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Street Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Street photography advice
Sony HX9V Street photography advice
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (159 grams)
screen is fixed
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
61
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (245g)
fixed screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic SZ8
Sports photography with Sony HX9V
34
image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16MP)
max frames per second low (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
terrible battery (200 CIPA)
does not have phase detect auto focus
44
long zoom range (24-384mm 16.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
no shutter priority
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic SZ8
Travel photography with Sony HX9V
67
lighter than competition in class (159g)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (24mm)
very long reach (288mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
terrible battery (200 shots)
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
69
lighter than others in class (245g)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (24mm)
very long reach (384mm)
does not have Timelapse function
screen is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Landscape photography factors
Sony HX9V Landscape photography factors
42
reasonably wide (24mm)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
manual mode not available
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
terrible battery (200 shots)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
49
has manual focus
reasonably wide (24mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
does not have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Vlogging details
Sony HX9V Vlogging details
32
reasonably wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detection focus
lighter than competition in class (159 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
screen is not selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have external mic port
33
reasonably wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than others in class (245g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have microphone support
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Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony HX9V Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ8 and Sony HX9V
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX9V
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Sony
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX9V
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2014-01-06 2011-07-19
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 surface area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 1600 3200
Maximum boosted ISO 6400 -
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-288mm (12.0x) 24-384mm (16.0x)
Max aperture f/3.1-6.3 f/3.3-5.9
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 460 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen tech TFT LCD XtraFine LCD display with TruBlack technology
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 8s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000s 1/1600s
Continuous shooting rate 1.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 5.20 m 4.00 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
White balance 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) 1920 x 1080 (60fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 1280 x 720 (30fps), 640 x 480 (30fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone support
Headphone support
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 BuiltIn
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 159 gr (0.35 lb) 245 gr (0.54 lb)
Physical dimensions 100 x 60 x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") 105 x 59 x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3")
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 photos -
Style of battery 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/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Single Single
Price at launch $275 $328