Panasonic SZ10 review
Well-conceived with its 12x zoom and selfie-friendly screen, but the Panasonic SZ10 lacks the quality where it counts.
Specifications
Sensor resolution: 16 megapixels, Sensor size: 1/2.33in, Viewfinder: No, LCD screen: 2.7in (460,000 dots), Optical zoom (35mm-equivalent focal lengths): 12x (24-288mm), 35mm-equivalent aperture: f/17-35, Weight: 177g, Size (HxWxD): 60x99x30mm
Panasonic SZ10 – Image Quality
We don’t expect dazzling image quality from ultra-compact cameras with big zooms, especially when they’re as keenly priced as this one. However, we do expect better quality than from a typical smartphone. The SZ10 delivered with the flexibility of its 12x zoom range, although focus towards the edges of the frame let it down a little and the somewhat unreliable autofocus took it down another notch. It failed to impress for colour accuracy or noise levels. Colours were often drab, with a dominant colour in the scene confusing the white balance, and skin tones were sometimes washed out. Noise reduction artefacts were visible in all of our test shots, and low-light photos were smudged and grainy.
^ Focus is sharp in the centre of this wide-angle shot but less so towards the edges. Noise reduction has taken its toll on subtle details. (1/80s, f/4.2, ISO 100, 59mm equivalent)
^ Focus in this brightly lit telephoto shot is pretty good. (1/320s, f/6.3, ISO 100, 288mm equivalent)
^ However, many of our telephoto test shots had focused on the background or on nothing in particular. (1/250s, f/6.3, ISO 200, 288mm equivalent)
^ There’s not much left of fine details in this ISO 400 shot, but it’s a respectable snap that would have been impossible with a fixed-zoom smartphone. (1/100s, f/5.8, ISO 400, 217mm equivalent)
^ Noise levels in low light aren’t any better than we’d expect from a smartphone. (1/25s, f/3.1, ISO 800, 24mm equivalent)
Panasonic SZ10 – Conclusion
It’s been a while since we’ve reviewed a camera for under £150, and it’s good to see Panasonic catering for this market. The flip-over screen will be a selling point to many, but take that away and the SZ10 falls short for image quality, video capabilities and performance – three crucial areas in our book. Most will be better off spending £10 more on the Sony WX350 instead. If it that doesn’t suit your needs either then check out our regularly-updated Best Cameras list and buying guide.
Hardware | |
---|---|
Sensor resolution | 16 megapixels |
Sensor size | 1/2.33in |
Focal length multiplier | 5.58x |
Viewfinder | No |
Viewfinder magnification (35mm-equivalent), coverage | N/A |
LCD screen | 2.7in (460,000 dots) |
Articulated | Yes |
Touchscreen | No |
Orientation sensor | No |
Photo file formats | JPEG |
Maximum photo resolution | 4,608×3,456 |
Photo aspect ratios | 4:3, 3:2, 1:1 |
Video compression format | Quicktime (M-JPEG) at up to 28Mbit/s |
Video resolutions | 720p at 30fps, VGA at 30fps, QVGA at 30fps |
Slow motion video modes | N/A |
Maximum video clip length (at highest quality) | 8m 40s |
Controls | |
Exposure modes | Auto |
Shutter speed range | Auto |
ISO speed range | 100 to 1600 |
Exposure compensation | EV +/-2 |
White balance | Auto, 4 presets, manual |
Auto-focus modes | Multi, centre, face detect |
Metering modes | Multi |
Flash modes | Auto, forced, suppressed, red-eye reduction |
Drive modes | Single, continuous, self-timer, HDR, panorama |
Lens | |
Optical stabilisation | Yes |
Optical zoom (35mm-equivalent focal lengths) | 12x (24-288mm) |
Maximum aperture (wide-tele) | f/3.1-6.3 |
35mm-equivalent aperture | f/17-35 |
Manual focus | No |
Closest macro focus (wide) | 3cm |
Closest macro focus (tele) | 150cm |
Physical | |
Card slot | SDXC |
Memory supplied | 80MB |
Battery type | Li-ion |
Connectivity | USB, AV |
Wireless | Wi-Fi |
GPS | Via smartphone app |
Hotshoe | No |
Body material | Plastic |
Accessories | USB cable |
Weight | 177g |
Size (HxWxD) | 60x99x30mm |
Buying information | |
Warranty | One year RTB |
Price including VAT | £139 |
Supplier | www.wexphotographic.com |
Details | www.panasonic.com/uk |
Part code | DMC-SZ10EB-K |