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Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony W650

Portability
94
Imaging
40
Features
31
Overall
36
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W650 front
Portability
96
Imaging
39
Features
32
Overall
36

Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony W650 Key Specs

Panasonic SZ8
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • 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
  • Announced January 2014
Sony W650
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-125mm (F2.6-6.3) lens
  • 124g - 94 x 56 x 19mm
  • Announced January 2012
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Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony W650 Overview

On this page, we will be reviewing the Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony W650, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by manufacturers Panasonic and Sony. The resolution of the SZ8 (16MP) and the W650 (16MP) is relatively similar and both cameras have the same sensor size (1/2.3").

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The SZ8 was launched 2 years later than the W650 and that is quite a significant gap as far as tech is concerned. Both of the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before delving right into a in-depth comparison, here is a brief overview of how the SZ8 scores vs the W650 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ8 over the Sony W650

 SZ8 W650 
AnnouncedJanuary 2014January 2012More recent by 25 months
Screen resolution460k230kSharper screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony W650 over the Panasonic SZ8

 W650 SZ8 

Common features in the Panasonic SZ8 and Sony W650

 SZ8 W650 
Manual focus Lack of manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen size
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch screen Neither includes Touch screen

Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony W650 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is going to lug around your camera frequently, you will want to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic SZ8 features external dimensions of 100mm x 60mm x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") with a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs) whilst the Sony W650 has dimensions of 94mm x 56mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7") with a weight of 124 grams (0.27 lbs).

Examine the Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony W650 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you have attached at that moment. Underneath is a front view measurement comparison of the SZ8 compared to the W650.

Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony W650 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the SZ8 and W650 is 94 and 96 respectively.

Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony W650 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony W650 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is tough to envision the difference between sensor measurements purely by reviewing specifications. The visual underneath will help give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the SZ8 and W650.

To sum up, both of those cameras have the same sensor dimensions and the exact same megapixels so you should expect similar quality of images though you should really factor the release date of the products into consideration. The fresher SZ8 will have an edge in sensor technology.

Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony W650 sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony W650 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony W650 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony W650 as a Portrait photography camera
35
good MP (16 megapixels)
comes with face detect focusing
focusing manually not possible
no manual control
can't use external flash
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
34
good resolution (16MP)
comes with face detect focusing
lack of manual focus
manual mode not available
external flash not possible
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 as a Street photography camera
Sony W650 as a Street photography camera
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (159g)
fixed screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
63
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (124g)
fixed screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Sports photography details
Sony W650 Sports photography details
34
image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16 megapixels)
slow fps (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
terrible battery power (200 per charge)
no phase detect AF
40
has image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16MP)
comes with tracking focus
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
small sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Travel photography advice
Sony W650 Travel photography advice
67
lighter than competition in class (159 grams)
good MP (16MP)
built-in flash
fairly wide (24mm)
very long reach (288mm)
no Time Lapse mode
terrible battery power (200 shots)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
69
lighter than competition in class (124 grams)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
decently wide (25mm)
missing Timelapse recording
does not posses selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.6)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony W650 as a Landscape photography camera
42
fairly wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
no manual control
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
terrible battery power (200 CIPA)
no Time Lapse mode
43
decently wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.6)
manual mode not available
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
missing Timelapse recording
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 as a Vlogging camera
Sony W650 as a Vlogging camera
32
fairly wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detect focusing
lighter than competition in class (159g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
no mic socket
33
decently wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detect focusing
lighter than competition in class (124g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.6)
does not posses selfie friendly display
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing microphone support
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Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony W650 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ8 and Sony W650
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W650
General Information
Brand Panasonic Sony
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W650
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2014-01-06 2012-01-10
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Venus Engine BIONZ
Sensor type CCD CCD
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 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 1600 3200
Max enhanced ISO 6400 -
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 9 -
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-288mm (12.0x) 25-125mm (5.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.1-6.3 f/2.6-6.3
Macro focusing range - 5cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 460k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display tech TFT LCD Clear Photo TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 8s 2s
Max shutter speed 1/2000s 1/1600s
Continuous shutter rate 1.0 frames per second 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 5.20 m 3.70 m
Flash options Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p), 320 x 240 (30p) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
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 None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 159 gr (0.35 lb) 124 gr (0.27 lb)
Physical dimensions 100 x 60 x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") 94 x 56 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7")
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 pictures 220 pictures
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-BN
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, microSD/micro SDHC, Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Single Single
Price at release $275 $140