Panasonic FZ1000 II vs Sony HX350: A Bridge Superzoom Showdown for Photography Enthusiasts

Choosing the right camera for your creative pursuits can be a daunting task. When considering bridge cameras, two models often come up: the Panasonic Lumix DC-FZ1000 II and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX350. Both promise versatility, impressive zoom ranges, and handy features for enthusiasts eager to travel light without sacrificing control or image quality.

Having personally tested thousands of cameras over the last 15 years, I’m excited to dive deep into how these two superzooms compare across multiple photography styles, real-world use, and tech specs. Whether you’re shooting portraits, landscapes, wildlife, video, or looking for a dependable travel companion, this comparison will enable you to make an informed choice that suits your needs and budget.

Size, Ergonomics, and Handling - Bridge Camera Feel, But Which Feels Better in Your Hands?

A camera’s physical design greatly influences shooting comfort and intuition. Both Panasonic FZ1000 II and Sony HX350 offer an SLR-like bridge form factor designed to balance zoom capability with manageable size. However, subtle differences can sway your preference.

The Panasonic FZ1000 II feels noticeably larger and heavier than the Sony HX350, giving it a more substantial grip suitable for prolonged shooting sessions, especially with the long telephoto focal lengths. Panasonic’s well-defined thumb rest and textured grip add confidence when holding, which is a boon for stability in zoomed or low-light conditions.

Sony HX350 is lighter and more pocketable for casual or street photography, though sacrificing some comfort in hand. Its tilting screen angles upward and downward but lacks touch input, which affects usability speed.

Takeaway: If you prize ergonomics and extended handheld shooting, the Panasonic’s size works in your favor. If portability and lighter weight are key, the Sony is more pocket-friendly.

Top Controls and User Interface - How Quickly Can You Work?

Control layout determines how smoothly you can adjust settings on the fly - a vital factor for photographers working in unpredictable scenarios.

• Panasonic FZ1000 II: Offers a dedicated exposure compensation dial, mode dial, and customizable function buttons. The top plate features an exposure compensation dial that’s one of the fastest ways to dial in brightness tweaks without diving into menus. Its EVF selector lever and multiple dials are reminiscent of DSLR control schemes.

• Sony HX350: Controls are minimalistic with fewer specialized dials, relying heavily on the menu system for intricate setting changes. There is a mode dial and standard exposure compensation but lacks a dedicated dial for quick access.

For manual-focused photographers, Panasonic provides a more traditional control interface which feels natural and intuitive after some practice, particularly for users transitioning from DSLRs or mirrorless systems.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality - Big Sensor vs Small Sensor Debate

Sensor size and technology heavily impact overall image quality - from noise levels and dynamic range to depth of field control and resolution accuracy.

The Panasonic FZ1000 II’s 1-inch sensor is roughly 4x larger in area than Sony’s 1/2.3-inch sensor, making it the clear winner in image quality potential. Larger sensors capture more light, leading to cleaner images in low light, higher dynamic range, and more control over depth of field - all crucial for portrait and landscape photographers alike.

Sony HX350's smaller sensor constrains noise performance, highlights/shadows recovery, and maximum ISO sensitivity. It can produce decent daylight images but struggles in dimmer scenarios or when you push ISO up.

Panasonic’s ability to shoot in RAW format offers much more post-processing flexibility, particularly useful for professionals and enthusiasts who like to enhance images manually.

Display and Viewfinder - Your Visual Workspaces

Both cameras include electronic viewfinders (EVFs) and LCD screens, but with different emphases.

The Panasonic FZ1000 II’s EVF boasts impressive resolution, offering a crisp, clear viewfinder with excellent color rendition helping you nail compositions in bright sunlight or critical focus situations. The 3-inch fully articulating touchscreen adds tremendous versatility for vlogging, awkward angle shots, or quick menu navigation.

Sony’s EVF lags significantly behind in resolution, resulting in a relatively grainy display. Its tilting screen is more limited in articulation and lacks touch input, potentially slowing down quick setting changes or focus point selections.

Lens Range and Performance: Flexible Zoom Meets Aperture Control

A stand-out feature in any bridge camera is its built-in zoom lens - a jack-of-all-trades that can make or break the practicalities of your shooting style.

Sony’s 50x zoom dominates for reach, extending up to 1200mm equivalent, making it very attractive to wildlife and sports hobbyists who want to photograph distant subjects without switching lenses. However, its slow aperture of f/6.3 at the long end reduces light capturing ability, affecting autofocus performance and image quality in dim situations.

Panasonic’s 16x zoom maxes out at 400mm equivalent, but with a brighter lens at f/4.0 telephoto. This wider aperture maintains better sharpness, bokeh quality, and focus speed, particularly in lower light and for portraits.

Macro Photography: Sony wins here with its 1cm macro proximity, ideal for extreme close-ups of flowers or insects. Panasonic’s 3cm minimum focus distance still offers good close-up options but less extreme.

Autofocus System - Speed and Precision Where It Counts

How well your camera focuses quickly and accurately is crucial for wildlife, sports, and street photography.

The Panasonic’s advanced contrast detection AF system sweeps 49 zones, tracks faces and eyes well, and includes touch-to-focus on the LCD. It’s capable of keeping moving subjects sharp with continuous AF and tracking enabled. In my tests, it maintained focus lock more reliably on fast-moving wildlife or athletes.

Sony’s AF system is more basic; no AF tracking means it is less adept at holding focus on erratically moving subjects. It also lacks touchscreen AF which adds friction when quickly selecting focus points during street or event photography.

Burst Speed and Shutter Performance - Catch the Action

Burst rates let you capture fast sequences, valuable for dynamic sports or wildlife.

The Panasonic edges out Sony with a slightly higher burst speed and offers a fast electronic shutter option which is silent - an understated advantage for discreet shooting in quiet environments. With 12fps shooting, you have a better chance to catch the perfect moment in rapidly changing scenes.

Video Capabilities - Which Camera Meets Today’s Content Creator?

Video is a major component for many photographers. Here’s the rundown:

Panasonic’s 4K UHD video capability is a big advantage, appealing to videographers who want sharp footage with plenty of cropping flexibility. The presence of a microphone input supports better audio capture - crucial for interviews or narrations.

Sony's video is limited to Full HD, which is fine for casual use but will feel dated for professional workflows. Lack of external mic input constrains audio quality options.

Portability & Travel Use - Your Ideal Companion?

For the on-the-go traveler, a blend of size, versatility, and battery life matters.

Panasonic is heavier but offers marginally better battery life plus modern wireless options - effortless for quick photo sharing or remote control via smartphone apps.

Sony is lighter and smaller, making it slightly more travel-friendly for casual city shooting or hiking. However, its lack of wireless connectivity is a drawback if instant sharing or remote shooting is important to you.

Build Quality and Weather Sealing - Ready for the Elements?

Neither camera offers weather sealing or environmental resistance, so avoid moisture or dusty conditions unless you protect the gear in a bag. Both bodies are plastic and polycarbonate, typical of this price tier, but solid enough for casual outdoor use.

Practical Photography Applications - Matching Your Needs With Strengths

Portrait Photography

• Panasonic FZ1000 II: Larger sensor for natural skin tones, shallower depth of field with f/2.8 aperture, excellent eye and face detection for sharp focus, better bokeh quality.
• Sony HX350: Limited depth of field control due to small sensor, slower telephoto aperture affects background blur, no raw support restricts retouching.

Landscape Photography

• Panasonic FZ1000 II: Higher dynamic range, richer color fidelity, better resolution for large prints, fully articulating screen for low/high angle compositing.
• Sony HX350: Sufficient resolution for web and moderate prints, smaller sensor loses detail and dynamic range in shadows/highlights.

Wildlife Photography

• Panasonic FZ1000 II: Faster autofocus tracking, 12fps burst, bright lens aperture, but limited 400mm telephoto max zoom.
• Sony HX350: Massive 1200mm zoom for distant subjects, slower aperture and less reliable AF limit sharpness in challenging light.

Sports Photography

• Panasonic’s continuous AF and silent shutter provide an edge. Sony’s AF limitations and slower burst rates may leave fast action out of focus or missed.

Street Photography

• Sony’s lighter, more discreet body and longer zoom niche for candid distant shots.
• Panasonic’s articulated screen and touchscreen benefit vloggers and varied angles.

Macro Photography

• Sony’s 1cm macro focusing offers extreme close-ups.
• Panasonic’s 3cm is still excellent but less extreme.

Night and Astro Photography

• Panasonic’s larger sensor and higher ISO capacity delivers cleaner results and better star detail capture.
• Sony struggles with noise beyond ISO 800-1600.

Video and Vlogging

• Panasonic clearly leads with 4K recording, microphone input, and articulation screen.
• Sony is limited to Full HD, no external audio, and simpler video features.

Travel and Everyday Use

• Sony is more compact and lighter, favorable for casual travel.
• Panasonic offers more features and better image quality but at a size and weight cost.

Professional Workflows

• Panasonic’s raw file support, better imaging specs, and video options make it viable for professional applications in a pinch.
• Sony’s lack of raw and limited video capabilities restrict professional use cases.

Value and Price Considerations

The Panasonic FZ1000 II retails around $900, whereas the Sony HX350 is often found significantly cheaper due to older release and smaller sensor.

Is the price difference justified? If your priority is image quality, manual control, video, and future-proofing your creative work, Panasonic’s investment pays off handsomely. For budget-conscious generalists or casual shooters needing long zoom reach in a smaller body, Sony offers an affordable, flexible option.

Overall Performance Ratings and Summary

The Panasonic Lumix FZ1000 II consistently scores higher across sensor, autofocus, video, and handling categories. The Sony HX350 shines in zoom reach and portability but trails behind in most critical image quality and control areas.

How They Rank Across Photography Genres

This visualization confirms Panasonic’s advantage in portrait, landscape, night, and video domains. Sony leads only in wildlife reach and street/travel portability due to smaller size and longer zoom.

Real-World Sample Images for Reference

Below are paired sample images taken in identical conditions:

Panasonic FZ1000 II front Panasonic FZ1000 II screen back Sony HX350 front Sony HX350 screen back

• Panasonic samples exhibit cleaner noise, sharper details, and pleasing color rendition.
• Sony samples display more noise, especially in shadows, and less sharpness, but impressive telephoto reach shots.

Final Thoughts: Which Camera Is Right for Your Creative Journey?

Choose the Panasonic Lumix FZ1000 II if:

• You demand larger sensor quality with advanced autofocus capabilities.
• You plan to shoot video seriously, needing 4K and audio input.
• You want manual controls, raw support, and customization.
• Portrait, landscape, night, or professional photography is your focus.
• Size and weight are less of a concern compared to performance.

Choose the Sony Cyber-shot HX350 if:

• Your budget is tight and you want a long zoom range in a compact, lightweight body.
• You prioritize extreme telephoto reach for distant subjects.
• You shoot casual photos or travel photography where portability matters.
• Video and raw format support are not essential for your needs.
• You are okay with simpler menus and fewer manual controls.

Bringing Your Vision to Life – Next Steps

Both cameras provide versatile “do-it-all” options, but your needs and shooting style will determine which fits best in your photography kit. Wherever you land, I encourage you to:

• Visit a camera store to physically handle these models and feel their ergonomics.
• Test real-world autofocusing, burst shooting, and video operation yourself.
• Evaluate lens reach and aperture with sample photos.
• Consider your planned genres and how much you will rely on advanced controls or connectivity.

This hands-on experience paired with our detailed comparison equips you to confidently embark on your creative journey. Whether capturing a sweeping landscape or fast-action wildlife, your next camera should be a trusted companion tailored to your vision.

Happy shooting!