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Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony WX30

Portability
94
Imaging
40
Features
31
Overall
36
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX30 front
Portability
96
Imaging
39
Features
41
Overall
39

Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony WX30 Key Specs

Panasonic SZ8
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Increase 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 WX30
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-125mm (F2.6-6.3) lens
  • 117g - 92 x 52 x 19mm
  • Announced July 2011
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Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony WX30 Overview

The following is a complete assessment of the Panasonic SZ8 and Sony WX30, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Panasonic and Sony. The image resolution of the SZ8 (16MP) and the WX30 (16MP) is very close and they enjoy the exact same sensor size (1/2.3").

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The SZ8 was introduced 2 years after the WX30 which is a fairly large difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both the cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before diving in to a comprehensive comparison, below is a brief view of how the SZ8 matches up against the WX30 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ8 over the Sony WX30

 SZ8 WX30 
AnnouncedJanuary 2014July 2011Newer by 30 months

Reasons to pick Sony WX30 over the Panasonic SZ8

 WX30 SZ8 
Display resolution922k460kSharper display (+462k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Common features in the Panasonic SZ8 and Sony WX30

 SZ8 WX30 
Manual focus No manual focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimension3"3"Identical display size
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen

Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony WX30 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is aiming to travel with your camera frequently, you'll have to factor in its weight and proportions. The Panasonic SZ8 features outside 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) and the Sony WX30 has measurements of 92mm x 52mm x 19mm (3.6" x 2.0" x 0.7") along with a weight of 117 grams (0.26 lbs).

See the Panasonic SZ8 and Sony WX30 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you have attached at the time. Underneath is the front view scale comparison of the SZ8 compared to the WX30.

Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony WX30 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SZ8 and WX30 is 94 and 96 respectively.

Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony WX30 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony WX30 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it's tough to imagine the contrast in sensor dimensions merely by researching technical specs. The picture below should give you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the SZ8 and WX30.

As you have seen, the 2 cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements and the identical MP therefore you can expect comparable quality of files but you need to factor the age of the cameras into account. The fresher SZ8 should have an edge when it comes to sensor tech.

Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony WX30 sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony WX30 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony WX30 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Portrait photography info
Sony WX30 Portrait photography info
35
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
has face detection autofocus
manual focus not available
manual mode not available
external flash not possible
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
30
good MP (16MP)
lack of manual focus
no manual control
can't use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Street photography factors
Sony WX30 Street photography factors
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (159g)
screen does not articulate
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (117 grams)
no articulating screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic SZ8
Sports photography with Sony WX30
34
image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
terrible battery life (200 per charge)
lacks phase detect autofocus
39
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16 megapixels)
lack of shutter priority mode
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Travel photography factors
Sony WX30 Travel photography factors
67
lighter than competitors in class (159g)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
pretty wide (24mm)
long zoom (288mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
terrible battery life (200 shots)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
69
lighter than competition (117g)
good MP (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
quite wide (25mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.6)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Landscape photography highlights
Sony WX30 Landscape photography highlights
42
pretty wide (24mm)
decent sized screen (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
manual mode not available
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
terrible battery life (200 per charge)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
43
quite wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16MP)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.6)
no manual control
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 as a Vlogging camera
Sony WX30 as a Vlogging camera
32
pretty wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
has face detection autofocus
lighter than competitors in class (159g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have external mic port
35
quite wide (25mm)
touchscreen functionality
built in image stabilization (Optical)
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition (117g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.6)
display is not selfie friendly
doesn't have external mic support
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Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony WX30 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ8 and Sony WX30
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX30
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Sony
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX30
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2014-01-06 2011-07-25
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Venus Engine BIONZ
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor 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
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 1600 3200
Maximum enhanced ISO 6400 -
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-288mm (12.0x) 25-125mm (5.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.1-6.3 f/2.6-6.3
Macro focusing distance - 5cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 460 thousand dots 922 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display technology TFT LCD XtraFine TFT LCD display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 8 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 1.0 frames per second 10.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 5.20 m 3.70 m
Flash modes Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AE 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) 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
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
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 159g (0.35 lb) 117g (0.26 lb)
Dimensions 100 x 60 x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") 92 x 52 x 19mm (3.6" x 2.0" 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 photos 250 photos
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-BN1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Card slots 1 1
Retail price $275 $259