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Panasonic FH20 vs Sony WX500

Portability
93
Imaging
36
Features
21
Overall
30
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH20 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX500 front
Portability
91
Imaging
43
Features
56
Overall
48

Panasonic FH20 vs Sony WX500 Key Specs

Panasonic FH20
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-224mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 178g - 100 x 56 x 28mm
  • Introduced January 2010
  • Additionally Known as Lumix DMC-FS30
Sony WX500
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 80 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.5-6.4) lens
  • 236g - 102 x 58 x 36mm
  • Introduced April 2015
  • Old Model is Sony WX350
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Panasonic FH20 vs Sony WX500 Overview

In this article, we are contrasting the Panasonic FH20 vs Sony WX500, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by rivals Panasonic and Sony. There exists a substantial gap among the resolutions of the FH20 (14MP) and WX500 (18MP) but they use the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The FH20 was manufactured 6 years before the WX500 which is a fairly big difference as far as camera technology is concerned. The two cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before diving through a in-depth comparison, below is a simple overview of how the FH20 matches up vs the WX500 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FH20 over the Sony WX500

 FH20 WX500 

Reasons to pick Sony WX500 over the Panasonic FH20

 WX500 FH20 
IntroducedApril 2015January 2010More modern by 64 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution921k230kCrisper display (+691k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic FH20 and Sony WX500

 FH20 WX500 
Focus manually No manual focus
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither features Touch friendly display

Panasonic FH20 vs Sony WX500 Physical Comparison

If you are going to carry around your camera frequently, you will need to think about its weight and measurements. The Panasonic FH20 enjoys exterior measurements of 100mm x 56mm x 28mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.1") and a weight of 178 grams (0.39 lbs) while the Sony WX500 has proportions of 102mm x 58mm x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.4") having a weight of 236 grams (0.52 lbs).

Compare the Panasonic FH20 vs Sony WX500 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you select at that moment. Underneath is the front view overall size comparison of the FH20 against the WX500.

Panasonic FH20 vs Sony WX500 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the FH20 and WX500 is 93 and 91 respectively.

Panasonic FH20 vs Sony WX500 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FH20 vs Sony WX500 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is tough to visualise the contrast in sensor sizes only by viewing specs. The image here may offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the FH20 and WX500.

As you can plainly see, both cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but not the same resolution. You can anticipate the Sony WX500 to result in greater detail due to its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will also let you crop pics far more aggressively. The more aged FH20 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Panasonic FH20 vs Sony WX500 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FH20 vs Sony WX500 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FH20 vs Sony WX500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic FH20
Portrait photography with Sony WX500
28
MP count good (14MP)
lack of manual focus
manual mode not possible
external flash not possible
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
39
sensor resolution is decent (18 megapixels)
comes with face detection autofocus
lack of manual focus
can't use external flash
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic FH20
Street photography with Sony WX500
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
69
screen tilts
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (236 grams)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FH20 Sports photography highlights
Sony WX500 Sports photography highlights
34
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (14MP)
very slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
57
amazing zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (18MP)
comes with tracking autofocus
better than average battery power (360 per charge)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FH20 Travel photography factors
Sony WX500 Travel photography factors
64
MP count good (14MP)
built-in flash
quite wide (28mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
71
better than average battery power (360 CIPA)
lighter than competition (236 grams)
sensor resolution is decent (18 megapixels)
built-in flash
rather wide (24mm)
great reach (720mm)
lack of Timelapse recording
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FH20 Landscape photography details
Sony WX500 Landscape photography details
37
quite wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (14MP)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
small screen (2.7")
manual mode not possible
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
49
rather wide (24mm)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (18 megapixels)
better than average battery power (360 per charge)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
lack of Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FH20 Vlogging advice
Sony WX500 Vlogging advice
28
quite wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
display isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have external mic socket
35
rather wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detection autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition (236g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
lack of external microphone support
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Panasonic FH20 vs Sony WX500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FH20 and Sony WX500
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH20Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX500
General Information
Company Panasonic Sony
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH20 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX500
Also called as Lumix DMC-FS30 -
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2010-01-06 2015-04-14
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by - Bionz X
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 18 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4320 x 3240 4896 x 3672
Highest native ISO 6400 12800
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-224mm (8.0x) 24-720mm (30.0x)
Max aperture f/3.3-5.9 f/3.5-6.4
Macro focusing range 5cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen sizing 2.7 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 230 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/1600s 1/2000s
Continuous shooting rate 5.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 5.80 m (Auto ISO) 5.40 m (with Auto ISO)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, flash on, slow sync, flash off, rear sync
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 30p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (30p)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format Motion JPEG AVCHD, XAVC S
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 178 grams (0.39 lb) 236 grams (0.52 lb)
Dimensions 100 x 56 x 28mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.1") 102 x 58 x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.4")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life - 360 images
Type of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-BX1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo
Card slots Single Single
Launch cost $179 $348