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Panasonic ZS200 vs Sony A500

Portability
86
Imaging
53
Features
66
Overall
58
Panasonic Lumix DC-ZS200 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A500 front
Portability
63
Imaging
52
Features
52
Overall
52

Panasonic ZS200 vs Sony A500 Key Specs

Panasonic ZS200
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 125 - 12800 (Expand to 25600)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 24-360mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 340g - 111 x 66 x 45mm
  • Launched February 2018
  • Additionally Known as Lumix DC-TZ200
  • Older Model is Panasonic ZS100
Sony A500
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 200 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 630g - 137 x 104 x 84mm
  • Introduced August 2009
  • Refreshed by Sony A560
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Panasonic ZS200 vs Sony A500 Overview

On this page, we are analyzing the Panasonic ZS200 versus Sony A500, one being a Large Sensor Compact and the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by brands Panasonic and Sony. There exists a big gap among the resolutions of the ZS200 (20MP) and A500 (12MP) and the ZS200 (1") and A500 (APS-C) provide totally different sensor sizing.

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The ZS200 was launched 8 years later than the A500 and that is a fairly big gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of the cameras have different body design with the Panasonic ZS200 being a Large Sensor Compact camera and the Sony A500 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before delving right into a in depth comparison, here is a simple view of how the ZS200 matches up versus the A500 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS200 over the Sony A500

 ZS200 A500 
IntroducedFebruary 2018August 2009More recent by 104 months
Display resolution1240k230kSharper display (+1010k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Sony A500 over the Panasonic ZS200

 A500 ZS200 
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display

Common features in the Panasonic ZS200 and Sony A500

 ZS200 A500 
Manually focus Dial exact focusing
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display measurement
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen

Panasonic ZS200 vs Sony A500 Physical Comparison

If you're intending to lug around your camera often, you will want to think about its weight and size. The Panasonic ZS200 comes with exterior dimensions of 111mm x 66mm x 45mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.8") having a weight of 340 grams (0.75 lbs) while the Sony A500 has specifications of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") with a weight of 630 grams (1.39 lbs).

See the Panasonic ZS200 versus Sony A500 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you are utilising at that time. Underneath is a front view physical size comparison of the ZS200 vs the A500.

Panasonic ZS200 vs Sony A500 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the ZS200 and A500 is 86 and 63 respectively.

Panasonic ZS200 vs Sony A500 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS200 vs Sony A500 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, its tough to envision the difference in sensor measurements purely by checking out specifications. The graphic below will offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the ZS200 and A500.

To sum up, both cameras have different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The ZS200 featuring a smaller sensor will make getting shallow DOF more difficult and the Panasonic ZS200 will show extra detail utilizing its extra 8MP. Greater resolution can also enable you to crop images a bit more aggressively. The more modern ZS200 is going to have a benefit in sensor technology.

Panasonic ZS200 vs Sony A500 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS200 vs Sony A500 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS200 vs Sony A500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS200 Portrait photography highlights
Sony A500 Portrait photography highlights
65
has manual focus
resolution is good (20MP)
decent sensor size (1")
provides face detect focus
supports RAW formats
no external flash support
63
focusing manually
nice sensor size (APS-C)
comes with face detect autofocus
delivers RAW formats
resolution not great (12MP)
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS200 Street photography info
Sony A500 Street photography info
77
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor size (1")
supports RAW formats
includes touch focus
no articulating screen
74
has a tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic ZS200
Sports photography with Sony A500
70
amazing zoom range (24-360mm 15.0 x zoom)
quiet shutter (1/16,000s)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (20MP)
decent sensor size (1")
provides tracking focus
good battery pack (370 CIPA)
does not have phase detect auto focus
51
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports phase detect autofocus
slow frames per second (5.0 fps)
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
terrible battery life (520 per charge)
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS200 Travel photography info
Sony A500 Travel photography info
76
good battery pack (370 per charge)
connects via bluetooth
includes touch focus
resolution is good (20 megapixels)
built-in flash
decently wide (24mm)
great reach (360mm)
does not have a selfie friendly display
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
43
has built in flash
lack of Time Lapse mode
terrible battery life (520 CIPA)
resolution not great (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS200 Landscape photography advice
Sony A500 Landscape photography advice
69
has manual focus
decently wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (20 megapixels)
decent sensor size (1")
supports RAW formats
good battery pack (370 CIPA)
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
60
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen is a good size (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
terrible battery life (520 CIPA)
lack of Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic ZS200
Vlogging with Sony A500
35
decently wide (24mm)
touchscreen functionality
built in image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect focus
high quality video (3840 x 2160 resolution)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
does not have a selfie friendly display
doesn't have microphone support
9
no video recording
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Panasonic ZS200 vs Sony A500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS200 and Sony A500
 Panasonic Lumix DC-ZS200Sony Alpha DSLR-A500
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Sony
Model type Panasonic Lumix DC-ZS200 Sony Alpha DSLR-A500
Other name Lumix DC-TZ200 -
Class Large Sensor Compact Entry-Level DSLR
Launched 2018-02-13 2009-08-27
Physical type Large Sensor Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Venus Engine Bionz
Sensor type MOS CMOS
Sensor size 1" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 13.2 x 8.8mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 116.2mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 5472 x 3648 4272 x 2848
Max native ISO 12800 12800
Max enhanced ISO 25600 -
Minimum native ISO 125 200
RAW support
Minimum enhanced ISO 80 -
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 49 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens zoom range 24-360mm (15.0x) -
Max aperture f/3.3-6.4 -
Macro focusing range 5cm -
Total lenses - 143
Crop factor 2.7 1.5
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Tilting
Display sizing 3" 3"
Display resolution 1,240 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder resolution 2,330 thousand dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100% 95%
Viewfinder magnification 0.53x 0.53x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/4000 secs
Fastest quiet shutter speed 1/16000 secs -
Continuous shutter rate 10.0 frames/s 5.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 6.80 m (at Auto ISO) 12.00 m
Flash modes Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced On/Red-eye Reduction, Slow Sync., Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize - 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Max video resolution 3840x2160 None
Video data format MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264 -
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB Yes USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 340g (0.75 lb) 630g (1.39 lb)
Physical dimensions 111 x 66 x 45mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.8") 137 x 104 x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 64
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 21.8
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 11.6
DXO Low light rating not tested 772
Other
Battery life 370 photos 520 photos
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs, 3 shots @ 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-I compatible) SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots 1 1
Pricing at release $800 $638