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Panasonic FH20 vs Sony HX1

Portability
93
Imaging
36
Features
21
Overall
30
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH20 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX1 front
Portability
67
Imaging
32
Features
36
Overall
33

Panasonic FH20 vs Sony HX1 Key Specs

Panasonic FH20
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-224mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 178g - 100 x 56 x 28mm
  • Revealed January 2010
  • Also referred to as Lumix DMC-FS30
Sony HX1
(Full Review)
  • 9MP - 1/2.4" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 125 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1440 x 1080 video
  • 28-560mm (F2.8-5.2) lens
  • 544g - 115 x 83 x 92mm
  • Introduced April 2009
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Panasonic FH20 vs Sony HX1 Overview

Following is a in depth comparison of the Panasonic FH20 and Sony HX1, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by manufacturers Panasonic and Sony. There exists a big gap between the image resolutions of the FH20 (14MP) and HX1 (9MP) and the FH20 (1/2.3") and HX1 (1/2.4") come with totally different sensor sizes.

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The FH20 was brought out 9 months after the HX1 so they are of a similar generation. Both cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic FH20 being a Compact camera and the Sony HX1 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before delving in to a in-depth comparison, below is a brief view of how the FH20 scores vs the HX1 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FH20 over the Sony HX1

 FH20 HX1 
IntroducedJanuary 2010April 2009More modern by 9 months

Reasons to pick Sony HX1 over the Panasonic FH20

 HX1 FH20 
Manually focus More accurate focusing
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")

Common features in the Panasonic FH20 and Sony HX1

 FH20 HX1 
Display resolution230k230kThe same display resolution
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly display Missing Touch friendly display

Panasonic FH20 vs Sony HX1 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is going to carry around your camera regularly, you're going to have to factor its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic FH20 offers exterior dimensions of 100mm x 56mm x 28mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.1") and a weight of 178 grams (0.39 lbs) whilst the Sony HX1 has dimensions of 115mm x 83mm x 92mm (4.5" x 3.3" x 3.6") having a weight of 544 grams (1.20 lbs).

Check the Panasonic FH20 and Sony HX1 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are employing at that time. The following is the front view proportions comparison of the FH20 compared to the HX1.

Panasonic FH20 vs Sony HX1 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the FH20 and HX1 is 93 and 67 respectively.

Panasonic FH20 vs Sony HX1 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FH20 vs Sony HX1 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is very tough to see the gap between sensor sizes purely by going over a spec sheet. The picture underneath should offer you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the FH20 and HX1.

As you can see, both cameras offer different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The FH20 due to its larger sensor will make achieving shallow depth of field less difficult and the Panasonic FH20 will offer extra detail having its extra 5 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also make it easier to crop pics a little more aggressively. The newer FH20 will have an edge when it comes to sensor tech.

Panasonic FH20 vs Sony HX1 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FH20 vs Sony HX1 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FH20 vs Sony HX1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FH20 Portrait photography info
Sony HX1 Portrait photography info
28
decent MP (14 megapixels)
no manual focus
manual exposure not possible
no external flash support
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
27
focusing manually
can't use external flash
resolution not great (9 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.4")
does not have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FH20 Street photography factors
Sony HX1 Street photography factors
56
image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
50
has a tilting screen
has image stabilization (Optical)
small sensor size (1/2.4")
does not have RAW format
heavier than others in class (544g)
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FH20 Sports photography features
Sony HX1 Sports photography features
34
image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (14 megapixels)
slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
36
great zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
resolution not great (9MP)
small sensor size (1/2.4")
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FH20 as a Travel photography camera
Sony HX1 as a Travel photography camera
64
decent MP (14MP)
has built in flash
really wide (28mm)
lack of Timelapse mode
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
48
flash built-in
decently wide (28mm)
very long zoom (560mm)
missing Time Lapse function
heavier than others in class (544g)
resolution not great (9 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic FH20
Landscape photography with Sony HX1
37
really wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (14MP)
no manual focus
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
manual exposure not possible
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
lack of Timelapse mode
39
focusing manually
decently wide (28mm)
good sized screen (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
resolution not great (9MP)
small sensor size (1/2.4")
does not have RAW format
missing Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FH20 as a Vlogging camera
Sony HX1 as a Vlogging camera
28
really wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of microphone support
22
decently wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
display isn't selfie friendly
low res video (1440 x 1080 resolution)
missing external mic jack
heavier than others in class (544g)
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Panasonic FH20 vs Sony HX1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FH20 and Sony HX1
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH20Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX1
General Information
Company Panasonic Sony
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH20 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX1
Alternate name Lumix DMC-FS30 -
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2010-01-06 2009-04-22
Body design Compact SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Chip - Bionz
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.4"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.104 x 4.578mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 27.9mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 9 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4320 x 3240 3456 x 2592
Max native ISO 6400 3200
Lowest native ISO 80 125
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-224mm (8.0x) 28-560mm (20.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.3-5.9 f/2.8-5.2
Macro focus distance 5cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.9
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Tilting
Display sizing 2.7" 3"
Display resolution 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 5.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 5.80 m (Auto ISO) 9.20 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Front Curtain, Rear Curtain
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1440x1080
Video format Motion JPEG H.264
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 178g (0.39 lbs) 544g (1.20 lbs)
Dimensions 100 x 56 x 28mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.1") 115 x 83 x 92mm (4.5" x 3.3" x 3.6")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery model - NP-FH50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Pricing at release $179 $47,999