Panasonic SZ8 Review

Panasonic SZ8 Review -- First Impressions

by Dave Pardue
Preview posted: 01/06/2014

Panasonic's sleek and slim travel zoom line continues with the introduction of the LUMIX DMC-SZ8, successor to last year's DMC-SZ3. The SZ8 features a 12x optical zoom (24-288mm eq.) which slightly bests the 10x offered on the SZ3, and incorporates their Intelligent Zoom functionality which allows for a digital zoom extension up to 24x. Optical Image Stabilization is reported to effectively suppress typical hand shake issues at long zoom ranges.

The SZ8 sports a 1/2.33"-type 16 megapixel CCD sensor married to Panasonic's Venus processing engine, which the company claims excels in processing speed. It also provides HD video at 720p as well as a "high-speed" burst shooting mode of roughly 3 frames per second at 3 megapixels (full-resolution burst shooting is limited to 1.2 frames per second). ISO sensitivity ranges from standard settings of 100 to 1600, with up to ISO 6400 equivalent in High Sensitivity mode.

The lens itself has a variable aperture range of f/3.1 through f/6.3 across the zoom range and is comprised of 8 elements in 8 groups including 4 aspherical lenses. The 3" LCD has a much higher resolution than its predecessor at 460K-dots, and has an automatic power monitor mode.

The SZ8 is Wi-Fi compatible including a handy Instant Transfer function for rapid image delivery to your smart device, and can also be controlled remotely from your smart device. Creative effects come in droves and there's also intelligent auto (iA) to assist beginners in getting the highest quality image output. There's also an HDR (High Dynamic Range) setting which is helpful to have on a point-and-shoot.

Images and movies are stored on SD/SDHC/SDXC cards along with 80MB of internal memory, and power is derived from a proprietary lithium-ion battery rated at 200 shots per charge. In addition to built-in Wi-Fi, connectivity features include standard-def A/V out and a USB 2.0 port for data transfer and charging.

Pricing and availability of the Panasonic SZ8 have not been announced.

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Similar to the SZ8 but smaller lighter larger sensor cheaper But ...

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Canon 190 IS

$189.00 (20% less)

2 MP (20% more)

Also lacks viewfinder

25% smaller

1x zoom (20% less)

SZ8 vs 190 IS

Canon 180

$166.98 (35% less)

2 MP (20% more)

Also lacks viewfinder

40% smaller

8x zoom (50% less)

SZ8 vs 180

Canon SX620 HS

$319.00 (29% more)

20.2 MP (21% more)

Also lacks viewfinder

Similar size

25x zoom (52% more)

SZ8 vs SX620 HS

Sony W830

$128.00 (77% less)

20.1 MP (20% more)

Also lacks viewfinder

46% smaller

8x zoom (50% less)

SZ8 vs W830

Sony WX350

$288.00 (22% more)

18.2 MP (12% more)

Also lacks viewfinder

18% smaller

2x zoom (40% more)

SZ8 vs WX350

Canon 360 HS

$284.50 (21% more)

20.2 MP (21% more)

Also lacks viewfinder

21% smaller

12x zoom

SZ8 vs 360 HS

Ricoh WG-50

$232.95

16 MP

Also lacks viewfinder

28% larger

5x zoom (140% less)

SZ8 vs WG-50

Nikon W300

$386.95 (42% more)

16 MP

Also lacks viewfinder

25% larger

5x zoom (140% less)

SZ8 vs W300

Sony WX500

$348.00 (35% more)

18.2 MP (12% more)

Also lacks viewfinder

24% larger

3x zoom (60% more)

SZ8 vs WX500

Nikon A300

$136.95 (65% less)

20.1 MP (20% more)

Also lacks viewfinder

43% smaller

8x zoom (50% less)

SZ8 vs A300

Sony HX80

$368.00 (39% more)

18.2 MP (12% more)

Has viewfinder

24% larger

3x zoom (60% more)

SZ8 vs HX80

Sony HX90V

$448.00 (50% more)

18.2 MP (12% more)

Has viewfinder

24% larger

3x zoom (60% more)

SZ8 vs HX90V

Ricoh WG-80

$0.00

16 MP

Also lacks viewfinder

28% larger

5x zoom (140% less)

SZ8 vs WG-80

Sony HX99

$473.00 (52% more)

18.2 MP (12% more)

Has viewfinder

24% larger

28x zoom (57% more)

SZ8 vs HX99

Ricoh WG-6

$336.95 (33% more)

20.2 MP (21% more)

Also lacks viewfinder

38% larger

5x zoom (140% less)

SZ8 vs WG-6

Canon SX720 HS

$279.00 (19% more)

20.3 MP (21% more)

Also lacks viewfinder

36% larger

4x zoom (70% more)

SZ8 vs SX720 HS

Nikon A900

$396.95 (43% more)

20.2 MP (21% more)

Also lacks viewfinder

47% larger

35x zoom (66% more)

SZ8 vs A900

Panasonic TS30

$168.50 (34% less)

16.1 MP

Also lacks viewfinder

34% smaller

4x zoom (200% less)

SZ8 vs TS30

Panasonic ZS70

$347.99 (35% more)

20.3 MP (21% more)

Has viewfinder

49% larger

3x zoom (60% more)

SZ8 vs ZS70

Fujifilm XP120

$119.00 (90% less)

16.4 MP

Also lacks viewfinder

26% larger

5x zoom (140% less)

SZ8 vs XP120

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