• 1/2.33 inch 28.2mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 288.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 18.2 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 720.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Panasonic SZ8 advantages over Sony WX500

  • Thinner
    26 mm vs 35 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    159g vs 236g
    Lighter weight
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots

Sony WX500 advantages over Panasonic SZ8

  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • More telephoto lens reach
    720 mm vs 288 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 390 vs 200 shots
    Capture more photos
  • 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
  • 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
    10.0 fps vs 1.2 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
  • 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
  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • RAW file ability
    Neither provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • 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
  • Manual focus
    Neither provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • 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

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Panasonic SZ8

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony WX500

Review Excerpt

The Competition

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
Sony WX500
Nikon S6300
  • $348
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $197
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Thinner
  • Lighter weight

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
Sony WX500
Nikon S6400
  • $348
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $250
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Thinner

Compared to Samsung WB50F

Panasonic SZ8
Samsung WB50F
  • $226
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Higher extended ISO
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Manual focus
Sony WX500
Samsung WB50F
  • $348
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Manual focus
  • Thinner

Compared to Sony HX90V

Panasonic SZ8
Sony HX90V
  • $226
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Thinner
  • Lighter weight
  • $448
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Sony WX500
Sony HX90V
  • $348
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • $448
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Sony HX80

Panasonic SZ8
Sony HX80
  • $226
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Thinner
  • Lighter weight
  • $368
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Tiltable Screen
Sony WX500
Sony HX80
  • $348
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • $368
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Compare Other Cameras?