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Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony WX300

Portability
94
Imaging
40
Features
31
Overall
36
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX300 front
Portability
94
Imaging
42
Features
38
Overall
40

Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony WX300 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 WX300
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-500mm (F3.5-6.5) lens
  • 166g - 96 x 55 x 25mm
  • Revealed February 2013
  • Successor is Sony WX350
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Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony WX300 Overview

Its time to look more closely at the Panasonic SZ8 and Sony WX300, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by manufacturers Panasonic and Sony. The sensor resolution of the SZ8 (16MP) and the WX300 (18MP) is very well matched and both cameras offer the same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The SZ8 was revealed 11 months later than the WX300 so they are both of a similar age. Both cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before diving straight to a in depth comparison, here is a short view of how the SZ8 matches up versus the WX300 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ8 over the Sony WX300

 SZ8 WX300 
RevealedJanuary 2014February 2013More recent by 11 months

Reasons to pick Sony WX300 over the Panasonic SZ8

 WX300 SZ8 

Common features in the Panasonic SZ8 and Sony WX300

 SZ8 WX300 
Focus manually Lack of manual focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display measurements
Display resolution460k460kIdentical display resolution
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch display Neither comes with Touch display

Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony WX300 Physical Comparison

If you are going to lug around your camera regularly, you are going to need to consider its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic SZ8 comes with exterior dimensions of 100mm x 60mm x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") and a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs) while the Sony WX300 has dimensions of 96mm x 55mm x 25mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0") along with a weight of 166 grams (0.37 lbs).

Compare the Panasonic SZ8 and Sony WX300 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you have at the time. Following is a front view overall size comparison of the SZ8 against the WX300.

Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony WX300 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the SZ8 and WX300 is 94 and 94 respectively.

Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony WX300 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony WX300 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, its difficult to picture the gap between sensor measurements only by checking specifications. The visual below will help provide you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the SZ8 and WX300.

Plainly, the two cameras have the same sensor dimensions but different megapixels. You can expect to see the Sony WX300 to give you extra detail because of its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop pics a bit more aggressively. The more recent SZ8 provides a benefit in sensor tech.

Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony WX300 sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony WX300 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony WX300 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Portrait photography information
Sony WX300 Portrait photography information
35
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
includes face detect focusing
no manual focus
manual exposure not available
external flash not possible
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
36
MP count good (18 megapixels)
includes face detect focusing
focusing manually not possible
manual exposure not possible
external flash not possible
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Street photography advice
Sony WX300 Street photography advice
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (159g)
no articulating screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (166g)
no moving screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Sports photography highlights
Sony WX300 Sports photography highlights
34
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
bad battery power (200 CIPA)
does not have phase detect AF
49
long zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (18MP)
includes tracking focus
no shutter priority
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Travel photography info
Sony WX300 Travel photography info
67
lighter than competitors in class (159 grams)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (24mm)
long zoom (288mm)
does not have Timelapse mode
bad battery power (200 CIPA)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
71
lighter than competitors in class (166 grams)
MP count good (18 megapixels)
has built in flash
relatively wide (25mm)
long zoom (500mm)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
does not offer selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic SZ8
Landscape photography with Sony WX300
42
reasonably wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
no manual focus
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
manual exposure not available
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
bad battery power (200 per charge)
does not have Timelapse mode
44
relatively wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (18 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
manual exposure not possible
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
doesn't have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Vlogging advice
Sony WX300 Vlogging advice
32
reasonably wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detect focusing
lighter than competitors in class (159g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have microphone port
35
relatively wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detect focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competitors in class (166g)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
does not offer selfie friendly display
doesn't have microphone socket
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Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony WX300 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ8 and Sony WX300
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX300
General Information
Company Panasonic Sony
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX300
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2014-01-06 2013-02-20
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Venus Engine -
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 aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 4896 x 3672
Max native ISO 1600 3200
Max enhanced ISO 6400 -
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 9 -
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-288mm (12.0x) 25-500mm (20.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.1-6.3 f/3.5-6.5
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3" 3"
Resolution of display 460k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display tech TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 8s 4s
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/1600s
Continuous shutter rate 1.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 5.20 m 4.30 m
Flash modes Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off -
Hot shoe
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) 1920 x 1080 (60, 50 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format Motion JPEG AVCHD
Microphone port
Headphone port
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
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 159 grams (0.35 lbs) 166 grams (0.37 lbs)
Physical dimensions 100 x 60 x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") 96 x 55 x 25mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 shots -
Battery type Battery Pack -
Battery model - NP-BX1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) -
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots 1 1
Retail cost $275 $330