Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5 vs Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8
      53
      Image cannot be found
      54
      Image cannot be found
      Image cannot be found
      Image cannot be found
      Image cannot be found
      Image cannot be found

      Disclosure: We earn money from the affiliate links to products associated with content in this article.

      Overview

      In this comparison, we will evaluate the Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5 and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8, highlighting the advantages of each over the other, discussing their pros and cons, shared strengths and weaknesses, and providing a rating based on their available features and specifications to assist you in choosing the one that best suits your needs.

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5 was introduced in July 2012 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 was introduced in January 2014. Let us first list highlights of the models.

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5 Highlights

      • 14.1 MP 1/2.33-inch CCD Sensor
      • 100 - 1,600 Native ISO
      • 23 Focus Points (23 Cross-type)
      • Image Stabilization
      • 3.0" 230k dot Fixed Screen
      • 1.5 fps Continuous Shooting
      • 1280 x 720 Video Shooting
      • Built-in Flash
      • Built-In Wi-Fi

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 Highlights

      • 16 MP 1/2.33-inch CCD Sensor
      • 100 - 1,600 Native ISO
      • 9 Focus Points (9 Cross-type)
      • Image Stabilization
      • 3.0" 460k dot Fixed Screen
      • 1.2 fps Continuous Shooting
      • 1280 x 720 Video Shooting
      • Built-in Flash
      • Built-In Wi-Fi
      Table of Contents
      1. Overview
      2. Pros and Cons
      3. Advantage of Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5
      4. Advantage of Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8
      5. Common Strengths and Weaknesses
      6. Screen
      7. Sensor
      8. Photography Features
      9. Connectivity, Battery and Storage
      10. Other Features
      11. Physical Parameters
      12. For Different Types of Photography
      13. Evaluations
      14. Specifications  

      Now that we've looked at the most essential specifications and gained a basic understanding of these cameras, we can delve into more details and see the differences between them.

      Pros and Cons

      In this section we present pros and cons of Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8.

      PROS

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8

      •   Video Capture
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   Face Detection
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Built-in Flash
      •   Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   Light - 136 g (0.30 lb / 4.80 oz)
      •   Internal Storage
      •   Video Capture
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Built-in Flash
      •   Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   Light - 159 g (0.35 lb / 5.61 oz)
      •   Internal Storage
      •   Orientation Sensor

      CONS

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8

      •   Small Sensor
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 14.1 Megapixel
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Viewfinder
      •   Low Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/1600 sec
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 1.5 fps
      •   No External Flash Connectivity
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1280 x 720
      •   No HDMI Output
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Short Battery Life - 250 shots
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   No Viewfinder
      •   Low Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/2000 sec
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 1.2 fps
      •   No External Flash Connectivity
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1280 x 720
      •   No HDMI Output
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Short Battery Life - 200 shots


      And here are some specifications which fall into average criteria and are neither in PROs nor in CONs category:

      AVERAGE

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8

      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   23 Focus Points
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Sensor Resolution - 16 Megapixel
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"

      Advantage of Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5

      Panasonic SZ5
      Image cannot be found
      Image cannot be found
      Image cannot be found

      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5 over Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8.

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5 vs Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8
      More Focus Points 23 vs 9
      Tracking Autofocus vs
      Maximum Aperture at Tele End f/5.9 vs f/6.3
      Higher Max Continuous Shooting 1.5 fps vs 1.2 fps
      Center Weighted Metering vs
      Spot Metering vs
      Lighter 136 g (0.30 lb / 4.80 oz) vs 159 g (0.35 lb / 5.61 oz)
      Longer Battery Life 250 shots vs 200 shots

      Check out other cameras which are frequently compared to Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5.

      Panasonic SZ3
      Image cannot be found

      1/2.33-inch

      16.1 MP

      Panasonic SZ1
      Image cannot be found

      1/2.33-inch

      16.1 MP

      Panasonic SZ7
      Image cannot be found

      1/2.33-inch

      14.1 MP

      Canon R100
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      24.1 MP

      Canon R10
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      24.2 MP

      Canon R7
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      32.5 MP

      Sony a7S III
      Image cannot be found

      Full Frame

      12.1 MP

      Sony a6100
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      24.2 MP

      Nikon Z8
      Image cannot be found

      Full Frame

      45.7 MP

      Sony a6500
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      24.2 MP

      Canon R3
      Image cannot be found

      Full Frame

      24.1 MP

      Canon 5DS
      Image cannot be found

      Full Frame

      50.6 MP

      Advantage of Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8

      Panasonic SZ8
      Image cannot be found
      Image cannot be found
      Image cannot be found

      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 over Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5.

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5 vs Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8
      Higher Sensor Resolution 14.1 Megapixel vs 16 Megapixel
      Max Image Resolution 4320 x 3240 vs 4608 x 3456
      Live View Autofocus vs
      Reaches Wider Angle 25 mm vs 24 mm
      Reachs More Telephoto 250 mm vs 288 mm
      Greater Optical Zoom 10x vs 12x
      Min Normal Focus Distance 50 cm vs 3 cm
      Higher Resolution Screen 230k dot vs 460k dot
      Higher Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) 1/1600 sec vs 1/2000 sec
      Built-in Microphone Mono vs Stereo
      Internal Storage 55 MB vs 80 MB

      Check out other cameras which are frequently compared to Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8.

      Panasonic SZ1
      Image cannot be found

      1/2.33-inch

      16.1 MP

      Panasonic SZ7
      Image cannot be found

      1/2.33-inch

      14.1 MP

      Panasonic SZ3
      Image cannot be found

      1/2.33-inch

      16.1 MP

      Canon 7D II
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      20.2 MP

      Canon R100
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      24.1 MP

      Canon R3
      Image cannot be found

      Full Frame

      24.1 MP

      Nikon Z30
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      20.9 MP

      Canon R7
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      32.5 MP

      Canon SX410 IS
      Image cannot be found

      1/2.3-inch

      20 MP

      Canon R50
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      24.2 MP

      Panasonic FX75
      Image cannot be found

      1/2.33-inch

      14.1 MP

      Nikon Z8
      Image cannot be found

      Full Frame

      45.7 MP

      Common Strengths and Weaknesses

      We already listed pros and cons of each model. However, you may also find useful to look at their common strengths and weaknesses shown side-by-side.

      STRENGTHS Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8
        Video Capture
        High Native ISO1,6001,600
        Face Detection
        Image Stabilization
        Built-in Flash
        Built-In Wi-Fi
        Light136 g (0.30 lb / 4.80 oz)159 g (0.35 lb / 5.61 oz)
        Internal Storage55 MB80 MB
      WEAKNESSES Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8
        Small Sensor1/2.33-inch1/2.33-inch
        Timelapse Recording
        Few Cross-type Focus Points00
        Screen TypeFixedFixed
        Low Resolution Screen230k dot460k dot
        No Viewfinder
        Low Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain)1/1600 sec1/2000 sec
        Low Max Continuous Shooting1.5 fps1.2 fps
        No External Flash Connectivity
        Low Video Resolution1280 x 7201280 x 720
        No HDMI Output
        No Microphone Input
        No Headphone Output
        No Built-in GPS
        No Built-In Bluetooth
        No Environmental Sealing
        Short Battery Life250 shots200 shots

      Screen

      Screen

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 have 3.0" Fixed screens with 230k dot and 460k dot resolutions respectively.

      Sensor

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5 features a 14.1 megapixel 1/2.33-inch CCD sensor with dimensions of 6.08 x 4.56 mm and a total area of 27.7 mm2. Its native ISO range is 100 - 1,600 and expands to 100 - 6,400 in boosted mode. Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 features a 16 megapixel 1/2.33-inch CCD sensor with dimensions of 6.08 x 4.56 mm and a total area of 20.8 mm2. Its native ISO range is 100 - 1,600 and expands to 100 - 6,400 in boosted mode.

      Photography Features

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5 can take pictures up to 4320 x 3240 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 4320 x 2880, 4320 x 2432, 3648 x 2736, 3232 x 3232, 2560 x 1920, 2048 x 1536, 640 x 480 with 1:1, 4:3, 3:2, 16:9 aspect ratios. Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 is equipped with Venus Engine processor and can take pictures up to 4608 x 3456 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 4608 x 3072, 4608 x 2592, 3456 x 3456, 3264 x 2448, 3264 x 2176, 2048 x 1536, 2048 x 1360, 1536 x 1536, 1920 x 1080, 640 x 480 with 1:1, 4:3, 3:2, 16:9 aspect ratios.


      Image Stabilization

      The cameras have a built-in [y] image stabilization.

      Connectivity, Battery and Storage

      Built-in Wi-Fi

      Cameras have built-in Wi-Fi which allows to easily transfer photos and videos from the camera to other Wi-Fi-enabled devices, such as smartphones, tablets, printers, or computers. This eliminates the need for cables and allows for quick and convenient media sharing and social media integration. It gives you the ability to control your camera remotely using a smartphone or tablet. This is particularly useful for taking self-portraits, group shots, or capturing images in challenging conditions without having to touch the camera. Firmware updates can also be downloaded and installed wirelessly.
        Check out the cameras in our database that have built-in WiFi.


      USB Inputs

      Both models have USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) inputs for data transfer.


      External Storage Slots

      Cameras have a single SD/SDHC/SDXC card slot.

      Other Features

      Shutter

      Shutter speed can go up to 1/1600 sec on Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5, and up to 1/2000 sec on Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8. Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5 can shoot continuously up to 1.5 fps. Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 can shoot continuously up to 1.2 fps.


      Flash

      Cameras have built-in flash with maximum range of 5.60 m on Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5 and 5.20 m on Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8..

      Physical Parameters

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5 body has dimensions of 104 x 58 x 21 mm (4.09 x 2.28 x 0.83") and Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 body has dimensions of 100 x 60 x 27 mm (3.94 x 2.36 x 1.06"). Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5 weighs 136 g (0.30 lb / 4.80 oz) and Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 weighs 159 g (0.35 lb / 5.61 oz).

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8

      104 mm

      58 mm

      Image cannot be displayed

      100 mm

      60 mm

      Image cannot be displayed


      58 mm

      Image cannot be displayed

      60 mm

      Image cannot be displayed


      21 mm

      Image cannot be displayed

      27 mm

      Image cannot be displayed

      Size comparisons of Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 for Different Types of Photography

      We give scores to the cameras for six types of photography based on their features and specifications. Let us see how suitable they are for each type of photography.

      Landscape Photography

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8

      POOR
      46
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      POOR
      48
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing

      Sports Photography

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8

      AVERAGE
      68
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   23 Focus Points
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Viewfinder
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 1.5 fps
      •   Short Battery Life - 250 shots
      AVERAGE
      68
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   No Viewfinder
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 1.2 fps
      •   Short Battery Life - 200 shots
      •   Orientation Sensor

      Wildlife Photography

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8

      AVERAGE
      66
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   23 Focus Points
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Viewfinder
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 1.5 fps
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Short Battery Life - 250 shots
      AVERAGE
      66
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   No Viewfinder
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 1.2 fps
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Short Battery Life - 200 shots
      •   Orientation Sensor

      Portrait Photography

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8

      AVERAGE
      67
      •   Small Sensor
      •   23 Focus Points
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No External Flash Connectivity
      AVERAGE
      69
      •   Small Sensor
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   No External Flash Connectivity
      •   Orientation Sensor

      Street Photography

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8

      GOOD
      82
      •   Small Sensor
      •   23 Focus Points
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Viewfinder
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 136 g (0.30 lb / 4.80 oz)
      GOOD
      82
      •   Small Sensor
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   No Viewfinder
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 159 g (0.35 lb / 5.61 oz)

      Travel Photography

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8

      EXCELLENT
      87
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1280 x 720
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 136 g (0.30 lb / 4.80 oz)
      •   Short Battery Life - 250 shots
      EXCELLENT
      86
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1280 x 720
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 159 g (0.35 lb / 5.61 oz)
      •   Short Battery Life - 200 shots

      Evaluations

      We evaluate Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 and give them scores of 53 and 54 out of 100 recpectively. We also give separate scores for 7 different categories according to the available features and specifications some of which are listed below. These evaluations are relative and may change each time a new camera is added to the database.


      Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8

      OVERALL
      53
      OVERALL
      54

      Sensor

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8

      POOR
      43
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 14.1 Megapixel
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
      POOR
      44
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Sensor Resolution - 16 Megapixel
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO

      Photo

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8

      AVERAGE
      59
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/1600 sec
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 1.5 fps
      •   No External Flash Connectivity
      AVERAGE
      60
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/2000 sec
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 1.2 fps
      •   No External Flash Connectivity

      Video

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8

      POOR
      43
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1280 x 720
      POOR
      43
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1280 x 720

      Focusing

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8

      AVERAGE
      66
      •   23 Focus Points
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      AVERAGE
      66
      •   9 Focus Points
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus

      Screen and Viewfinder

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8

      POOR
      52
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Viewfinder
      POOR
      53
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   No Viewfinder

      Connectivity

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8

      AVERAGE
      62
      •   No HDMI Output
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      AVERAGE
      66
      •   No HDMI Output
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth

      Battery, Storage and Physical

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8

      POOR
      43
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 136 g (0.30 lb / 4.80 oz)
      •   Short Battery Life - 250 shots
      •   Internal Storage
      POOR
      42
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 159 g (0.35 lb / 5.61 oz)
      •   Short Battery Life - 200 shots
      •   Internal Storage


      For a full specification list please go to the specifications page:

      Amazon Affiliate Disclosure
      ZKelectronics is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for website owners to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon (.com, .co.uk, .ca, etc) and any other websites that may be affiliated with Amazon Service LLC Associates Program.