• 1/2.33 inch 28.2mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 288.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 2/3 inch 58.1mm2
  • 12.0 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 112.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Panasonic SZ8 advantages over Fujifilm X30

  • Less expensive
    $170 vs $600 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • More telephoto lens reach
    288 mm vs 112 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Thinner
    26 mm vs 60 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    159g vs 423g
    Lighter weight
  • More pixels
    16.0 vs 12.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Wider angle lens
    24 mm vs 28 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots

Fujifilm X30 advantages over Panasonic SZ8

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    2/3 inch vs 1/2.33 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 2.20 vs 1.33 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Larger lens aperture
    f/2.0 vs f/3.1
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 470 vs 200 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More dots on screen
    922k vs 460k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    11.4 fps vs 1.2 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • 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
  • In-camera panoramas
    Both provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • 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
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bulb shutter
    Neither provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Panasonic SZ8

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Fujifilm X30

Review Excerpt

  • Excellent image quality for its class; Very good optical performance from the bright f/2-2.8 4x lens; Quick autofocus, even in very low light; Fast burst modes; EVF fixes the flaws of optical viewfinder in X20; Tilting high-res LCD screen; Excellent feel in the hands; Very good battery life.

  • Top shutter speed is only 1/1000s when lens is wide open; No built-in ND filter; 28mm eq. may not be wide enough for some; Shallow buffer depths; Default NR processing a bit heavy-handed.

The Competition

Compared to Fujifilm X10

Panasonic SZ8
Fujifilm X10
  • $226
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $900
  • 2/3 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Fujifilm X30
Fujifilm X10
  • $499
  • 2/3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $900
  • 2/3 inch

Compared to Nikon S6300

Panasonic SZ8
Nikon S6300
  • $226
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $197
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • HDMI out
  • Faster JPEG shooting
Fujifilm X30
Nikon S6300
  • $499
  • 2/3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $197
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compared to Nikon S6400

Panasonic SZ8
Nikon S6400
  • $226
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $250
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • HDMI out
Fujifilm X30
Nikon S6400
  • $499
  • 2/3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $250
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen

Compared to Fujifilm X20

Panasonic SZ8
Fujifilm X20
  • $226
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $900
  • 2/3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Fujifilm X30
Fujifilm X20
  • $499
  • 2/3 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $900
  • 2/3 inch

Compared to Samsung WB50F

Panasonic SZ8
Samsung WB50F
  • $226
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Higher extended ISO
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Manual focus
Fujifilm X30
Samsung WB50F
  • $499
  • 2/3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach
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