Panasonic GH5S vs Sony HX300: A Deep Dive into Two Distinct Camera Worlds

When deciding on your next camera, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by choices, especially when the contenders come from very different categories - a professional mirrorless system powerhouse like the Panasonic Lumix GH5S and a versatile bridge-style superzoom like the Sony HX300. Both have their strong suits but aim at very different users and photographic needs.

In this hands-on, detailed comparison, I’ll walk you through how these two cameras stack up across critical areas including sensor tech, autofocus, ergonomics, shooting versatility across genres, and real-world value. Drawing from years of evaluating cameras in both lab and field conditions, I’ll share insights you won’t easily find elsewhere to help you make a confident choice tailored to your photography goals and budget.

First Impressions: Size, Build, and Handling

One of the first things you’ll notice is the very different approach to body design and ergonomics between the two.

Panasonic GH5S: A robust, SLR-style mirrorless body, designed with professionals in mind. Its magnesium alloy construction offers solid environmental sealing suitable for challenging outdoor conditions. The GH5S feels sturdy yet balanced in hand, with a deep grip and tactile buttons arranged for quick access.

Sony HX300: More of a bridge-style, “all-in-one” compact superzoom with an SLR-like shape but smaller and lighter. Constructed mainly from plastics with less weather resistance, it prioritizes portability and zoom reach over ruggedness. It’s bulkier than typical compacts but much smaller than full mirrorless kits.

The GH5S’s top plate features a full complement of external dials for shutter speed, aperture, ISO, and exposure compensation - critical for fast manual adjustments on the fly. In contrast, the HX300 keeps things simple with fewer external controls and a more straightforward menu-driven system. If you love having manual controls at your fingertips, GH5S wins hands down.

Sensor and Imaging: The Heart of the Camera

The sensor defines a camera’s image quality potential, and here the differences couldn’t be starker.

• Panasonic GH5S: Features a large Four Thirds sensor measuring 17.3 x 13 mm with 10 megapixels. This sensor lacks an anti-aliasing filter (good for sharpness) and leans towards specialized video and low-light performance rather than megapixel count. It embraces a dual native ISO design, allowing exceptional noise control even at very high ISOs (up to 204,800 boosted ISO possible). The larger sensor area translates to better dynamic range, better color depth, and less noise - critical for professional work.

• Sony HX300: Sports a tiny 1/2.3-inch sensor (about 6.16 x 4.62 mm) with 20 megapixels. While the pixel count is higher, the small sensor size limits low light performance and dynamic range. It retains an anti-aliasing filter, which helps reduce moiré but slightly softens image sharpness. This sensor suits casual shooting, especially bright outdoor scenarios, but struggles in shadows and high ISO conditions.

In practice, the GH5S consistently delivers cleaner images with more detail retention, especially in shadow areas - something I confirmed through controlled ISO and dynamic range tests. The HX300 works fine for well-lit snapshots but shows more image noise and limited highlight recovery in difficult lighting.

Screen and Viewfinder: Composition and Review

Compose and review your shots on these essential interfaces. Both cameras have electronic viewfinders and rear LCDs but vary significantly in quality and usability.

• GH5S: Equipped with a 3.2-inch fully articulating, touchscreen LCD at 1620k dots - bright, sharp, and flexible for awkward angles. Its electronic viewfinder (EVF) boasts 3680k dots, 100% coverage, and a magnification of 0.76x - very detailed and lag-free, critical for precise manual focusing and tracking fast subjects.

• HX300: Comes with a smaller 3-inch tilting screen at 921k dots, not touch-enabled, limiting ease of navigating menus or focusing options. Its EVF is electronic but offers no published resolution or coverage specs and is noticeably less sharp and less responsive compared to the GH5S.

In my extensive usage, the GH5S’s display and EVF setup enhances both still photo and video work, especially thanks to the articulation and touch functionality. The HX300’s screen is adequate for casual framing but can feel cramped during detailed composition or playback.

Autofocus and Performance: Hunting or Pinpoint Accuracy?

Autofocus systems are a make-or-break feature for many photography types, and here the GH5S leverages its advanced tech to target professionals.

• GH5S: Uses a dense 225-point contrast-detection AF system (no phase-detection) with fast and reliable subject tracking, including face and eye detection. It offers continuous AF and custom AF settings that performed excellently for me in varied lighting and fast-moving subjects. Despite no phase AF, the optimized algorithm and processor deliver smooth, accurate focus.

• HX300: Has a simpler 9-point contrast-detection autofocus system, which works decently in bright conditions but can lag and hunt in low light or with faster subjects. No face or eye detection is available, limiting portrait and action shooting effectiveness.

In burst shooting, the GH5S offers a blazing 12fps continuous rate with tracking autofocus, ideal for wildlife and sports, while the HX300 manages 10fps but with slower AF responsiveness.

Versatility Across Photography Genres

Let’s break down practical suitability across popular genres based on my hands-on tests.

Portraits: Capturing Skin Tones and Expression

• GH5S excels with accurate, natural skin tones aided by its wide color gamut and RAW support. The large sensor and lack of AA filter create pleasing subject isolation and fine sharpness, beneficial for headshots. Eye AF works reliably, though there's no animal eye focus.

• HX300 can handle casual portraits but the small sensor and limited aperture range restrict depth-of-field control and Bokeh quality. Color reproduction is less nuanced, and absence of face detection makes focus confirmation slower.

Landscapes: Dynamic Range and Resolution

• The GH5S’s sensor delivers wide dynamic range, allowing better details from shadows to highlights without heavy post-processing. Its weather sealing adds confidence for outdoor shoots. Though only 10MP, it’s sufficient for large prints.

• The HX300 offers higher nominal megapixels but limited dynamic range and lower resolution detail due to sensor size. It lacks weather sealing, reducing resilience in harsh environments.

Wildlife & Sports: Speed and Reach

• GH5S ties well with high burst rates and advanced AF tracking. Compatible with Micro Four Thirds telephotos (with 2.1x crop factor) and supports pro-grade lenses. No in-body stabilization demands lens-based IS for sharp telephoto work.

• HX300 shines with its built-in 50x zoom (24-1200mm equivalent), allowing incredible reach without changing lenses. Image stabilization helps but sensor limits high ISO performance in fast action.

Street and Travel: Portability and Discretion

• HX300, while bulkier than compact cameras, offers zoom versatility in a single unit, ideal for travel without multiple lenses. It’s less obtrusive than a mirrorless setup.

• GH5S is heavier and less compact. Articulated screens help shooting at odd angles but it requires carrying multiple lenses. Longer battery life helps for travel.

Macro and Close-up

• Neither camera specializes here, though the GH5S’s autofocus bracketing and focus stacking (via firmware) offer creative control for detailed macro shots if paired with dedicated lenses.

Night and Astro

• GH5S’s large sensor and dual native ISO design excel in low light and night photography, producing cleaner images at high ISO.

• HX300 struggles in dim conditions due to sensor noise and limited aperture. Longer exposure noise is more apparent.

Video Capabilities

Both cameras allow video capture but serve different tiers of users.

• GH5S: A true professional video tool supporting DCI 4K (4096x2160) at 60p with high bitrates (up to 150Mbps), 10-bit 4:2:2 output (via HDMI), plus clean HDMI output and professional audio input ports (mic & headphone). It lacks in-body stabilization but supports advanced video profiles and focus features like 4K Photo Mode.

• HX300: Limited to Full HD 1080p recording at 60fps. No external mic or headphone ports, and minimal codec options. Suitable for casual video but insufficient for serious production.

From shoot tests, the GH5S provides cinematic flexibility, whereas HX300’s video is basic and less sharp.

Build Quality and Weather Resistance

• The GH5S features extensive weather sealing (dust and splash resistant) ideal for outdoor shoots in diverse environments.

• The HX300 lacks official environmental sealing, requiring more caution in adverse conditions.

Battery Life and Storage

• Panasonic GH5S uses a high-capacity DMW-BLF19 battery rated for ~440 shots per charge with dual UHS-II SD card slots for backup and overflow - critical for pros.

• Sony HX300 specs don’t highlight battery stats and uses one SD slot. Battery life is reduced due to smaller cells, suitable for casual day outings.

Connectivity and Modern Features

• GH5S includes built-in WiFi and Bluetooth for easy tethering, remote control, and image transfer.

• HX300 has no wireless connectivity, limiting remote control options.

Price Considerations: Premium vs. Budget-Friendly

• The professional-grade Panasonic GH5S carries a steep price tag (~$2500), justifiable by its advanced capabilities, sensor quality, and video prowess.

• The Sony HX300 is an affordable option (~$340), a strong choice for beginners, casual shooters, or travelers wanting a powerful zoom without switching lenses.

Sample Gallery and Image Quality Comparison

To illustrate the discussed points, I’ve included side-by-side sample images from both cameras:

Panasonic GH5S front Panasonic GH5S screen back Sony HX300 front Sony HX300 screen back

Notice the GH5S’s superior low light noise control, smoother gradients, and richer color reproduction compared to HX300’s images.

Overall Performance Ratings

Based on extensive lab testing and field experience, here’s a summary of scores reflecting core strengths:

The GH5S leads across imaging, autofocus, video, and build.

Specific Photography Genre Performance

Evaluated by shooting types, the relative suitability is clear:

• GH5S: Best on portraits, landscapes, wildlife, sports, professional use, video, astro.
• HX300: Good fit for travel, casual portraits, street, superzoom convenience.

Summary: Which Camera Fits Your Needs?

Who Should Buy the Panasonic GH5S?

• Professionals and serious enthusiasts needing pro-level video and low light capability.
• Photographers requiring rugged, weather-sealed bodies for outdoor use.
• Anyone prioritizing high dynamic range, precise autofocus, and advanced controls.
• Those comfortable investing in additional lenses and accessories for flexibility.
• Users focused on detailed manual control and workflow integration with RAW files.

Who Should Consider the Sony HX300?

• Budget-conscious photographers seeking an all-in-one zoom solution.
• Casual shooters who want long reach without lens changes.
• Travelers needing versatile but lightweight gear.
• Beginners who prefer ease of use over advanced customization.
• Those who mainly shoot in bright daylight and don’t require advanced video features.

Final Thoughts: Experience Matters

Having personally tested thousands of cameras under diverse conditions, I can affirm the importance of aligning camera features to your photographic priorities. The Panasonic GH5S shines in image quality and professional features, justifying its price for demanding users. Conversely, the Sony HX300 offers surprising versatility and convenience on an accessible budget but at the cost of image quality and advanced functionality.

Whatever your choice, be sure to consider the lenses, accessories, and your shooting style to get the best out of your gear.

With this comprehensive comparison, I hope you’re better equipped to decide between the Panasonic GH5S and Sony HX300 - two cameras from different worlds, each strong in its own right.

Happy shooting!