• 1/2.33 inch 28.2mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 250.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 18.2 megapixels
  • 26.00mm - 130.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Panasonic SZ3 advantages over Sony TX30

  • More telephoto lens reach
    250 mm vs 130 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots

Sony TX30 advantages over Panasonic SZ3

  • Waterproof
    Yes vs No
    Take photos underwater without destroying your camera!
  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Thinner
    15 mm vs 21 mm
    Thinner
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • More dots on screen
    1229k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.0 fps vs 1.4 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    12800 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • RAW file ability
    Neither provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Hot shoe
    Neither provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bulb shutter
    Neither provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

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Buy the Panasonic SZ3
Panasonic SZ3

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony TX30
Sony TX30

Review Excerpt

  • Good image and video quality for a compact waterproof camera; Stylish, pocketable design; Improved ruggedness; Speedy performance including 10 fps continuous shooting at full resolution.

  • Touchscreen unusable and unviewable while submerged; Slim, slick design makes it unwieldy to hold (and difficult to hang onto!) underwater; Poor battery life.

  • Read our Sony TX30 Express Review

The Competition

Compared to Sony DSC-TX10

Panasonic SZ3
Sony DSC-TX10
  • $125
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Shoots 24p video
  • $330
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • HDMI out

Compare Panasonic SZ3 vs Sony DSC-TX10

Sony TX30
Sony DSC-TX10
  • $219
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Touchscreen
  • $330
  • 1/2.3 inch

Compare Sony TX30 vs Sony DSC-TX10

Compared to Sony TX200V

Panasonic SZ3
Sony TX200V
  • $125
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Shoots 24p video
  • $363
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Touchscreen

Compare Panasonic SZ3 vs Sony TX200V

Sony TX30
Sony TX200V
  • $219
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $363
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Shoots 1080p video
  • Shoots 60p video

Compare Sony TX30 vs Sony TX200V

Compared to Canon A4000 IS

Panasonic SZ3
Canon A4000 IS
  • $125
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Shoots 24p video
  • $200
  • 1/2.3 inch

Compare Panasonic SZ3 vs Canon A4000 IS

Sony TX30
Canon A4000 IS
  • $219
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Focus peaking
  • $200
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Larger lens aperture

Compare Sony TX30 vs Canon A4000 IS

Compared to Sony WX150

Panasonic SZ3
Sony WX150
  • $125
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Shoots 24p video
  • Longer exposure
  • $250
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • HDMI out
  • More dots on screen

Compare Panasonic SZ3 vs Sony WX150

Sony TX30
Sony WX150
  • $219
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Focus peaking
  • $250
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Sony TX30 vs Sony WX150

Compared to Canon 150 IS

Panasonic SZ3
Canon 150 IS
  • $125
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Shoots 24p video
  • Longer exposure
  • $149
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More pixels

Compare Panasonic SZ3 vs Canon 150 IS

Sony TX30
Canon 150 IS
  • $219
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Focus peaking
  • $149
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Larger lens aperture

Compare Sony TX30 vs Canon 150 IS

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