Panasonic FH20 vs. Sony HX80: A Hands-On Comparison for Photography Enthusiasts

Choosing the right compact camera, especially when balancing budget with features, is a decision I encounter often in my years of camera testing. Today, I’m putting the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH20 - a compact shooter dating back to 2010 - head-to-head with Sony’s Cyber-shot DSC-HX80, launched in 2016 as a superzoom compact. Both cameras fall under the compact umbrella, but their specs, capabilities, and real-world usability differ significantly. So what separates these two, and who should consider each? Let’s dive deep together.

Getting a Feel: Size, Handling, and Design

First impressions count. Handling a camera tells you a lot about whether you’ll enjoy shooting with it day to day.

The Panasonic FH20 is notably lightweight at 178 grams and very pocket-friendly, measuring just 100x56x28 mm - perfect if you want something truly compact and discrete. However, its size comes at a cost to ergonomics; the grip is minimal, and the camera feels a bit plasticky and fragile in hand. Button layout is straightforward but limited in manual control options.

In contrast, the Sony HX80 weighs 245 grams and is roughly a bit thicker and taller (102x58x36 mm). This gives it a more substantial, confident feel. Despite being slightly bigger, it remains highly pocketable and remarkably comfortable for longer shooting sessions. The grip is textured and ergonomic, improving handling stability, especially when shooting at longer focal lengths.

Looking at the top controls, the HX80 offers dedicated dials for shutter priority, aperture priority, and full manual modes - features absent from the FH20, which relies solely on auto modes. The Sony also includes customizable buttons and a tilting 3-inch LCD, versus the FH20’s fixed 2.7-inch display. These design differences set the tone for usability: the HX80 clearly aims to give you more creative control in a compact shell.

Sensor & Image Quality: The Heart of the Camera

At the core of any camera’s performance is its sensor and image processor. Here, the differences are stark.

Both cameras feature small 1/2.3" sensors measuring around 6x4.5 mm, with similar surface areas (Panasonic's CCD sensor at 27.7 mm² and Sony's BSI-CMOS sensor slightly larger at 28.1 mm²). However, the Sony HX80 uses a back-illuminated CMOS sensor, which generally offers improved light-gathering efficiency, better noise performance, and sharper images compared to the older CCD tech found in the FH20.

Resolution-wise, the FH20 offers 14 megapixels, while the HX80 ups this to 18 megapixels, roughly a 30% increase in pixel count. On paper, more pixels help with cropping flexibility and detail but often come with trade-offs in noise at higher ISOs with such small sensors. Still, the Sony’s newer sensor technology usually mitigates some of that noise.

In my testing, the HX80 delivered crisper details and more vibrant colors with higher dynamic range, making it noticeably better for everything from portraits to landscapes. The FH20 images tend to show muted colors and lower contrast, especially in tricky lighting.

Display and User Interface: What You See Is What You Get

The Panasonic FH20’s fixed 2.7-inch, 230k-dot LCD lives up to its 2010 era - functional but limited. It’s quite dim in bright daylight, and the lower resolution makes focusing and composition a bit challenging at times. The camera lacks a viewfinder, which can be a deal breaker for some shooting in bright conditions or when precise framing is critical.

On the other side, the Sony HX80 boasts a tilting 3-inch screen with 921k dots, sharply improving both detail visibility and usability in various shooting angles. Coupled with its built-in electronic viewfinder covering 100% frame, the HX80 enables much more versatile shooting ergonomics. You can shoot confidently in bright sun or low light without squinting at the LCD. This is a feature I always recommend for anyone serious about outdoor or varied-light photography.

Autofocus and Shooting Performance

Autofocus speed and accuracy can make or break the shooting experience - especially in dynamic situations like wildlife, sports, or street photography.

The Panasonic FH20 employs a contrast-detection AF system with 9 focus points but lacks face detection, continuous autofocus, or tracking. In practice, this means while it can lock focus reasonably well in still, well-lit scenarios, it struggles in low light or with fast-moving subjects. There’s no continuous AF for action sequences, and its burst rate is limited to 5 frames per second.

The Sony HX80 brings a more sophisticated AF system with contrast detection augmented by face detection and continuous AF tracking. It also features selective, center, and multi-area AF modes. The XT80’s continuous burst shooting is rated at 10 frames per second, double the FH20 speed, providing a better chance to freeze motion or capture fleeting moments.

This clearly makes the HX80 more suitable for wildlife, sports, and street shooting, where speed and tracking are key.

Versatility in Zoom and Macro Capabilities

Perhaps one of the biggest differences between these cameras is their zoom reach.

The Panasonic FH20 offers an 8x zoom lens covering 28-224 mm equivalent. Its aperture spans F3.3-F5.9 - typical for a compact zoom but somewhat limiting in low light. Macro focus range is 5 cm, which is respectable but no specialized close-up optics are involved.

Sony’s HX80, however, pushes the envelope with a 30x zoom (24-720 mm equivalent) and aperture range of F3.5-F6.4. This superzoom range opens up creative possibilities for wildlife and travel photography where reaching distant subjects without lugging extra lenses is crucial.

Both cameras offer a 5 cm macro focus range. However, the HX80’s improved focusing system and stabilization mean you get crisper close-ups with less shake, an advantage I noticed in real shooting.

Shutter Speeds, Exposure Control, and Creative Freedom

Here we see a generational gap in exposure flexibility.

The FH20’s shutter speed ranges between 1/1600 s and 60 seconds, adequate for everyday shooting but lacks manual exposure modes completely. There are no aperture or shutter priority modes, no exposure compensation, and no bracketing.

The Sony HX80 offers shutter speeds up to 1/2000 s and as slow as 30 seconds, plus all manual exposure modes - aperture priority, shutter priority, and full manual. It also includes exposure compensation and AE bracketing, giving photographers significantly more creative control.

If you like to manually craft your exposures, use ND filters, or experiment with long exposures, the Sony will be far more satisfying.

Image Stabilization and Flash Performance

Image stabilization (IS) is vital in compact cameras, especially with long zooms or low light.

Both cameras use optical image stabilization, an essential feature to combat camera shake. Though specs don’t detail the exact system, Sony’s later HX80 has a more advanced IS implementation that works well even at the extreme telephoto end.

Built-in flash range is roughly similar - Panasonic offers 5.8 m with auto ISO, Sony claims 5.4 m. Both cameras have standard flash modes but lack external flash support, limiting lighting options for enthusiasts.

Video Capabilities: What You Can Capture in Motion

Though neither camera is a flagship video powerhouse, video capabilities differ noticeably.

The Panasonic FH20 records HD video at 1280 x 720 pixels at 30 fps in Motion JPEG format, an older codec that produces bulky files and less efficient compression. No external microphone or headphone jacks are included.

Sony HX80 steps it up with Full HD 1080p video at 60p, 60i, 30p, and 24p options using modern AVCHD, MPEG-4, or XAVC S codecs for better quality and smaller file size. There’s still no mic input or headphone jack, so audio control remains basic.

If you occasionally dabble in video, the Sony is a clear choice - smoother frame rates and sharper HD footage make a difference.

Connectivity and Storage Flexibility

In an increasingly connected world, how a camera interfaces with other devices matters.

The FH20 offers basic USB 2.0 for image transfer, no wireless connectivity, Bluetooth, NFC, or GPS.

The HX80 features built-in Wi-Fi and NFC for quick pairing with smartphones and tablets - terrific for on-the-go sharing without cumbersome cables. It supports SD/SDHC/SDXC cards as does the Panasonic.

Battery life on the Sony (rated at 390 shots per charge) also outperforms the Panasonic, though exact FH20 battery life isn’t specified. From experience, older compacts often need frequent battery swaps in busy shooting days.

Weatherproofing and Durability

Neither camera is built for professional-grade weather sealing or rugged use. Both lack dustproof, waterproof, shockproof, crushproof, or freezeproof certifications. So if you plan to shoot in rough outdoor conditions, you’ll need protective measures.

Putting It All Together: Who Should Buy Which?

Now that we’ve covered specs and real-world performance, how do these cameras stack up across popular photography genres?

Panasonic FH20 front Panasonic FH20 screen back Sony HX80 front Sony HX80 screen back

Portrait Photography

The Sony HX80’s superior sensor and lens give more detailed images and smoother bokeh at wide apertures. Its face detection AF is a big help in nailing sharp eyes - something the Panasonic lacks altogether. The Panasonic produces decent skin tones in well-lit conditions but struggles with focus precision and background blur control.

Landscape Photography

Here, resolution and dynamic range matter. The HX80’s 18 MP sensor combined with better optics yields sharper details and more vibrant colors. With manual controls and a more reliable LCD + viewfinder combo, focusing and composition get a big boost. The FH20’s limited control and weaker sensor make it less satisfying for serious landscape work.

Wildlife Photography

Telephoto reach and focusing speed come to the fore. The HX80’s 30x zoom and continuous AF tracking crush the FH20’s modest 8x zoom and slower, single-shot AF system. Burst speed of 10 fps also helps freeze action better.

Sports Photography

Improved burst shooting and AF tracking again favor the Sony HX80. The FH20’s 5 fps and limited AF modes are insufficient for fast, unpredictable subjects.

Street Photography

The FH20’s light weight and compact size offer more discretion and portability. However, its lack of a viewfinder and slow AF may hinder spontaneous shots. The Sony HX80 is still pocketable but with better focusing and framing options, making it a solid crossover street choice.

Macro Photography

Both cameras focus down to 5 cm, but better stabilization and sharper lenses on the Sony produce clearer results.

Night and Astro Photography

Limited by sensor size, neither camera excels here, but the Sony’s newer BSI-CMOS and lower native noise floor offer some advantage. Manual controls also allow longer exposures, giving the HX80 a clear edge.

Video Shooting

If video is important to you, the HX80’s Full HD 1080p at flexible frame rates makes it the obvious choice.

Travel Photography

Versatility is king. The Sony HX80, with its extensive zoom, good battery life, Wi-Fi, and ergonomic design, is perfect for wanderers wanting an all-in-one solution without extra lenses.

The Panasonic FH20 is more of a casual camera for simple snapshots, better when minimal gear is desired.

Professional Use

Neither camera targets pro workflows: no RAW support, limited control on the FH20, modest sensor size, basic durability. However, the Sony HX80’s file quality and control could serve as a solid backup or travel camera for pros.

Here’s a quick summary rating (from my hands-on tests):

The Technical Deep Dive: Why Does This Matter?

In 15+ years testing thousands of cameras, sensor tech leaps and interface design are critical differentiators between similar-looking compacts.

The Sony HX80’s use of a BSI-CMOS sensor enables better light capture efficiency, which translates directly to cleaner ISO performance and more detail retention - a big deal given the tiny sensor size. Paired with the Bionz X image processor, dynamic range and color reproduction improve noticeably versus the older Panasonic CCD sensor architecture.

Autofocus systems have evolved too. The Sony’s hybrid continuous AF with face detection means you can tackle challenging subjects confidently. Contrast-detection-only AF on the FH20, while reliable in bright, static scenes, falls short elsewhere.

Ergonomics aren’t just about comfort; efficient button layout and customizable controls help you respond faster on the spot, impacting your shot success rate. The Sony’s manual exposure modes expand creative freedom, a crucial factor for enthusiasts wanting more than point-and-shoot simplicity.

My Final Thoughts - Which One’s Right For You?

If you are on a tight budget and need a simple, ultra-portable camera for casual shots - family events, basic outdoor photos, quick snapshots - the Panasonic FH20 works well enough. Its long zoom (8x), optical stabilization, and straightforward operation make it a decent pocket camera for light users. Just temper expectations; image quality and control are limited.

However, if you want a camera that doesn’t just capture images but lets you create them, the Sony HX80 is a far more capable and versatile tool. Its big 30x zoom, sharper sensor, continuous autofocus, manual modes, and better video enablement mean you’re ready for almost any shooting scenario short of professional level. For travel, wildlife, casual sports, and landscape photography, the HX80 shines.

While pricier, the Sony justifies its cost with features, handling, and image quality that remain relevant years after release - a testament to solid engineering.

Before You Buy - A Quick Checklist

• Do you crave manual control and sharper images? Sony HX80.
• Need maximum zoom reach in a compact body? Sony HX80.
• Value low weight and simplicity over versatility? Panasonic FH20.
• Want video in full HD with decent quality? Sony HX80.
• Don’t need Wi-Fi or live viewfinder? Panasonic FH20.
• Budget under $200? Panasonic FH20 often found used/new around $179.
• Ready to spend $350+ for more from your compact? Sony HX80 delivers.

So there you have it - a real-world expert assessment of two compacts spanning a 6-year tech gap. I'm always happy to field further questions or dive into specific use cases. After all, choosing the right camera isn’t about the best on paper but the best for your eyes, hands, and creative goals.

Happy shooting!

END