Panasonic ZS200 vs Sony WX500

Lets take a deeper look at the Panasonic ZS200 and Sony WX500, former is a Large Sensor Compact while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by manufacturers Panasonic and Sony. The sensor resolution of the ZS200 (20MP) and the WX500 (18MP) is fairly similar but the ZS200 (1") and WX500 (1/2.3") use different sensor sizes.

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The ZS200 was released 2 years after the WX500 which is quite a sizable difference as far as technology is concerned. The two cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic ZS200 being a Large Sensor Compact camera and the Sony WX500 being a Compact camera.

Before delving in to a complete comparison, below is a quick introduction of how the ZS200 grades vs the WX500 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Following is a sample of the gallery pictures for Panasonic Lumix DC-ZS200 & Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX500. The complete galleries are viewable at Panasonic ZS200 Gallery & Sony WX500 Gallery.

When you are going to travel with your camera frequently, you are going to need to factor its weight and size. The Panasonic ZS200 has external measurements of 111mm x 66mm x 45mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.8") accompanied by a weight of 340 grams (0.75 lbs) whilst the Sony WX500 has specifications of 102mm x 58mm x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.4") along with a weight of 236 grams (0.52 lbs).

See the Panasonic ZS200 and Sony WX500 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you select during that time. The following is the front view physical size comparison of the ZS200 versus the WX500.

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the ZS200 and WX500 is 86 and 91 respectively.

Typically, it's hard to imagine the contrast between sensor dimensions just by going over specs. The image here might give you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the ZS200 and WX500.

As you can plainly see, both the cameras have got different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The ZS200 due to its larger sensor is going to make shooting shallower DOF easier and the Panasonic ZS200 will deliver more detail as a result of its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will make it easier to crop pics much more aggressively. The more modern ZS200 provides a benefit when it comes to sensor innovation.