• APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 20.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 16,000
  • 1/2.33 inch 28.2mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 288.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Sony A58 advantages over Panasonic SZ8

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    APS-C 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
    ~ 4.31 vs 1.33 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • 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
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 700 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
  • 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
  • More pixels
    20.1 vs 16.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    4.9 fps vs 1.2 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    16000 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Panasonic SZ8 advantages over Sony A58

  • Less expensive
    $170 vs $600 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Thinner
    26 mm vs 77 mm
    Thinner
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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Review Excerpt

  • Improved 20.1-megapixel resolution; Impressive image quality, especially for its price; Fast and decisive autofocus (in most conditions); Very good battery life; Good video quality (Full HD 1080p, though it doesn't support 60p frame rate).

  • Plastic lens mount; Slower burst mode speeds and shallower buffer than A57; LCD no longer fully articulating; Mediocre kit lens; Electronic instead of an optical viewfinder may be a turnoff for some.

  • Read our Sony A58 Review

The Competition

Compared to Nikon S6400

Sony A58
Nikon S6400
  • $598
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $250
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen

Compare Sony A58 vs Nikon S6400

Panasonic SZ8
Nikon S6400
  • $226
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $250
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • HDMI out

Compare Panasonic SZ8 vs Nikon S6400

Compared to Pentax K-5 IIs

Sony A58
Pentax K-5 IIs
  • $598
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup

Compare Sony A58 vs Pentax K-5 IIs

Panasonic SZ8
Pentax K-5 IIs
  • $226
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax K-5 IIs

Compared to Nikon D5200

Sony A58
Nikon D5200
  • $598
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $500
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Sony A58 vs Nikon D5200

Panasonic SZ8
Nikon D5200
  • $226
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $500
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Panasonic SZ8 vs Nikon D5200

Compared to Canon T5i

Sony A58
Canon T5i
  • $598
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $539
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Sony A58 vs Canon T5i

Panasonic SZ8
Canon T5i
  • $226
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $539
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor

Compare Panasonic SZ8 vs Canon T5i

Compared to Samsung WB50F

Sony A58
Samsung WB50F
  • $598
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Sony A58 vs Samsung WB50F

Panasonic SZ8
Samsung WB50F
  • $226
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Higher extended ISO
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Manual focus

Compare Panasonic SZ8 vs Samsung WB50F

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