Panasonic FH20 vs Sony WX80: A Hands-On Comparison of Two Budget Compact Cameras

In the crowded world of compact cameras, picking a model that balances image quality, usability, and price can be like finding a needle in a haystack. Today, I’m diving into two contenders from a few years back that still warrant attention for budget-conscious photographers: the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH20 (hereafter “Panasonic FH20”) and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX80 (“Sony WX80”). Both cameras sit firmly in the “small sensor compact” category, sporting fixed zoom lenses in the 28-224mm equivalent range. Yet their differences in sensor tech, autofocus, video capability, and feature set make them ripe for a detailed head-to-head.

I’ve personally tested hundreds of compacts and understand what separates a forgettable model from one that punches above its weight. I’ll walk you through sensor performance, ergonomics, photographic disciplines, video chops, and value - all with practical insights you won’t find in glossy marketing copy. Whether you’re a beginner looking for easy point-and-shoot options or a more experienced user needing something pocketable as a backup, you’ll walk away knowing which camera suits your needs best. Let’s jump in.

First Impressions and Handling: Size, Weight, and Ergonomics

Both the Panasonic FH20 and Sony WX80 aim to be pocket-friendly travel companions, but feel quite different in hand.

At 100 x 56 x 28 mm and 178 grams, the Panasonic FH20 is a bit chunkier than its Sony counterpart, which measures 92 x 52 x 22 mm and weighs only 124 grams. In practice, the Panasonic gives you a slightly more substantial grip, which some may find reassuring, especially if you like using two hands to stabilize shots. The Sony’s razor-thin profile makes it ultra-pocketable but can feel fiddly for those with larger hands or when using it for extended shoots.

Both have fixed lenses providing the same zoom range (28-224mm equivalent), but the Panasonic has a slightly slower max aperture at telephoto (F5.9 vs Sony’s F8.0), which affects their low light and bokeh rendering potential. The Panasonic’s weight and bulk translate to feeling a bit more "club for thumbs" while the Sony is closer to a thin candy bar.

The Panasonic lacks any sort of touchscreen or fancy articulating mechanism, with a fixed 2.7" LCD screen at 230k dot resolution - very basic but functional. Sony matches this screen size and resolution but uses a TFT LCD panel known for better viewing angles and brightness in daylight. Neither offers viewfinders, an omission sorely felt by anyone shooting in bright sun.

Looking at controls, both cameras lean heavily on automatic modes with minimal manual overrides. The Panasonic lacks dedicated manual exposure or aperture/shutter priority modes, while the Sony shares the same but edges slightly with routed custom white balance and better exposure control options behind the scenes.

If you’re after quick, grab-and-shoot ease, both cameras deliver - but the Sony’s lighter form and better screen offer a slight edge in portability and usability.

Sensor and Image Quality: Small Sensors, Big Questions

At the heart of any camera is its sensor, and here the story diverges more sharply.

Both pack the common small sensor size for compacts, 1/2.3" sensor class with nearly identical physical measurements - Panasonic’s CCD measuring 6.08 x 4.56 mm versus Sony’s slightly larger BSI-CMOS at 6.17 x 4.55 mm. The Panasonic has 14 megapixels, the Sony 16 megapixels.

Right out of the gate, that difference in sensor technology is crucial. The Panasonic’s traditional CCD sensor, while decent for daylight snaps, typically struggles with higher ISO noise and lacks the efficiency of more modern sensor tech. Sony’s BSI-CMOS sensor flips the photo diode structure to the front (back illumination), enhancing low-light performance, dynamic range, and color performance.

In practice, I found the Sony WX80 delivers noticeably cleaner images at ISO 800 and above, with less noise and better color fidelity. The Panasonic’s output is softer at base ISO and starts to show noise at ISO 400, limiting its nighttime and indoor usability.

Neither camera supports RAW capture (an unfortunate limitation at this price point), so JPEG processing quality becomes vital. Sony’s BIONZ processor handles noise reduction and sharpening more adeptly than Panasonic’s older tech, resulting in crisper results straight from the camera.

The maximum image resolution favors the Sony (4608x3456 vs 4320x3240) without a meaningful difference in print size, but offering a bit more cropping flexibility for serious enthusiasts.

Autofocus, Shooting Speed, and Precision: Catching the Moment

Autofocus (AF) technology often defines a compact’s usability across multiple photography types like sports, wildlife, or spontaneous street shots.

The Panasonic FH20 uses a contrast-detection system with 9 AF points, but none dedicated to face or eye detection. It lacks continuous AF tracking, forcing you to focus-and-shoot with single AF. The result is generally sluggish AF lock times and frequent hunting in lower light.

Sony steps up here with a more advanced contrast-detection AF combined with some tracking capabilities and touch-based AF on the screen (albeit the Panasonic has no touchscreen). The WX80 also offers face detection and center-weighted metering with a limited spot option, improving accuracy especially for portraits and quick moments.

In burst shooting, Sony again pulls ahead, offering up to 10 fps continuous shooting versus Panasonic’s 5 fps. While neither camera is for pro sports, the Sony’s faster frame rate lets you capture fleeting moments better.

In real-world testing on moving subjects, the Sony’s AF was more consistent and less prone to lag - an important distinction for wildlife or kids playing.

Real World Photo Genres: How Do These Cameras Stack Up?

Portrait Photography

Portrait work demands natural skin tones, reliable face/eye detection, and pleasing bokeh.

The Panasonic FH20’s lack of face/eye AF and slower contrast detection means it struggles to nail focus lock on moving subjects. Skin tones are slightly muted and image softness due to the CCD sensor can detract from crisp portraits. Its max aperture of F3.3-5.9 limits bokeh smoothness, making backgrounds busier.

Sony WX80, with face detection and touch-to-focus, provides better accuracy and tracking on faces. Its BSI sensor reproduces skin tones more naturally and handles indoor lighting better, though the narrow aperture at telephoto (F8.0 max) reduces shallow depth of field - not ideal for dreamy bokeh lovers but typical for this compact class.

If portraits are important, Sony is the safer bet despite limitations.

Landscape Photography

Landscape shooters value resolution, dynamic range, and sturdy construction.

Both cameras share small, non-weather sealed plastic bodies - no points here for rugged use. Neither offers manual exposure, limiting creative control in tricky lighting.

The Sony’s sensor generates clearer files with better highlight preservation and less noise in shadows. Panasonic’s CCD sensor has weaker dynamic range overall, leading to loss of detail in bright skies or shaded areas.

Resolutions are close enough that prints up to 8x10” look fine from either, but Sony’s files stand up better when heavily cropped or post-processed.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

These fields demand fast autofocus, high continuous shooting rates, and effective zoom reach.

The zoom ranges are identical, but aperture differences matter: Panasonic’s lens is slightly brighter at the wide end (F3.3 vs Sony’s F3.3) but Sony’s telephoto side stops down to F8.0 compared to Panasonic’s F5.9 - yet the Sony’s more efficient sensor compensates somewhat.

Sony’s faster 10 fps burst and AF tracking capabilities make it more viable for capturing action, while Panasonic’s slower 5 fps and AF lock struggles limit it to very casual “point and shoot” snapshots.

Neither have telephoto reach for serious wildlife photography, but the Sony is noticeably superior for basic bird or pet shots.

Street and Travel Photography

If you want a grab-and-go camera for candid shots on city walks, discretion, and quick operation matter.

Sony’s lighter weight and slimmer body make it the better street shooter, slipping easily into a coat pocket with minimal bulk.

Both cameras lack viewfinders, but Sony’s brighter screen helps compose shots in daylight.

Their fixed lenses with 8x zooms cover everything from wide-angle to modest telephoto, ideal for travel versatility.

Battery life favors the Sony too with about 240 shots per charge; Panasonic specs don’t list exact battery life but generally older battery chemistry and size make it less reliable on long days out.

Sony’s built-in wireless connectivity also appeals for modern travelers wanting quick image transfer - a sorely missed option on Panasonic FH20.

Macro and Close-Up Photography

Close focusing is important for macro fans.

Both offer a 5 cm minimum focusing distance, typical for compacts and suitable for casual flower or small object shots.

Neither supports focus bracketing, stacking, or post-focus functions.

Sony benefits from autofocus touch-to-select and slightly better AF precision, making it easier to nail close-ups.

Panasonic’s optical image stabilization helps reduce blur, but Sony also has optical stabilization with better implementation.

Night and Astro Photography

Shooting in darkness tests sensor ISO performance and dynamic range.

Sony’s BSI CMOS sensor has a clear advantage with cleaner, less noisy images at ISO 800 and above. Panasonic’s CCD sensor starts degrading quickly once you push beyond ISO 400.

Neither camera offers long exposure modes beyond 60 seconds shutter max on Panasonic and 1600 max shutter on Sony.

Astro enthusiasts requiring raw files or bulb modes would be better served elsewhere. These models are primarily casual night shooters.

Video Capabilities

One area where I found sizable differences.

Panasonic FH20 offers 720p HD video at 30 fps in MPEG-1 (Motion JPEG), a now outdated format known for bloated file sizes and reduced quality.

Sony WX80 delivers up to 1080p Full HD at 60 fps, recording in modern MPEG-4 and AVCHD formats - a clear winner for videographers.

Neither has microphone or headphone jacks, so audio capture is basic.

Sony’s built-in optical stabilization aids video smoothness noticeably better.

Build, Weather Resistance, and Reliability

Neither Panasonic FH20 nor Sony WX80 feature environmental sealing, waterproofing, or shockproofing.

Both rely on plastic chassis and lenses, standard in their class.

If you plan rugged travel or demanding professional fieldwork, neither is suited.

User Interface, Controls, and Connectivity

The Panasonic lacks touch input but offers a simple menu and a few shortcut buttons.

Sony includes touchscreen capability (yes, on the smaller screen!) enabling faster autofocus selection and menu navigation.

Sony boasts built-in wireless connectivity (Wi-Fi) for image transfer - a huge plus in today’s connected world.

Panasonic only has USB 2.0 connection, no HDMI out and no wireless.

Sony includes micro-HDMI output for monitoring - valuable for casual video work.

Battery Life and Storage

Sony’s NP-BN battery rates about 240 shots per charge, typical for a product of its time.

Panasonic’s battery life is unspecified, but practical use suggests shorter life due to older tech and higher power consumption of CCD sensors.

Both support SD/SDHC/SDXC cards. Sony additionally supports Sony Memory Stick variants, adding storage flexibility.

Note that neither supports dual card slots, which limits redundancy for professional users.

Price, Value, and Who Should Buy Which?

At the time of comparison, Panasonic FH20 lists at around $179, while Sony WX80 runs about $275. The ~$100 price gap is a significant consideration for cheapskates window shopping for entry-level compacts.

Let’s summarize pros and cons:

Who Should Pick the Panasonic FH20?

• Budget buyers prioritizing a basic point-and-shoot with zoom.
• Casual photographers snapping daylight family/sharing photos.
• Users okay with JPEG-only, no Wi-Fi, and moderate image quality.
• Those who don’t need video beyond basic 720p.

If the $100 price difference matters and you want a straightforward, no-frills compactor with optical image stabilization, Panasonic serves as a cheap reliable backup.

Who Should Invest in the Sony WX80?

• Photography enthusiasts seeking better image quality and low light performance.
• Users who want Full HD video at 60fps for casual movie making.
• People valuing faster autofocus, burst shooting, and reliable face detection.
• Travelers and street photographers needing a lightweight, pocketable design.
• Anyone wanting Wi-Fi for instant sharing and smartphone integration.

Sony balances modest price with solid performance advantages that justify the premium, particularly in image quality and video.

Putting it All Together: Overall Scores and Genre-Specific Ratings

Both cameras slot into entry-level compact categories, but Sony takes the lead on every critical metric: sensor, autofocus, video, and portability.

When viewed across disciplines, Sony WX80 fares better in portrait, street, and video work; Panasonic FH20 lags in low-light photography and lacks autofocus refinement for action.

Real-World Sample Images: Seeing Is Believing

Panasonic FH20 front Panasonic FH20 screen back Sony WX80 front Sony WX80 screen back

In daylight, images are usable and often pleasant from both, but look closely at skin tones and shadow detail - the Sony’s files come through with cleaner tones and better highlight retention. Indoors or in dim conditions, Sony dramatically outperforms Panasonic.

Final Verdict: Which Compact Is Your Next Camera?

If you need a cheap, simple, no-nonsense compact to capture family memories or casual snaps on a tight budget, the Panasonic FH20 covers your basics with optical image stabilization and an 8x zoom. It’s simple, durable, and won’t scare off first-time users. Just temper your expectations on low light and video quality.

But if you prize image quality, low-light capability, faster autofocus, and Full HD 60fps video, the Sony WX80 stands tall despite its higher price. It’s the smarter choice for enthusiasts who want more than snapshots - suitable for vacationers, street photographers, and casual video creators who want a better all-around camera.

As with all compacts in this class, remember that both have notable limitations: small sensors vs larger mirrorless or DSLR cameras, lack of RAW support, and minimal manual controls. However, matching tool to user purpose is key, and both Panasonic FH20 and Sony WX80 maintain a niche in affordable, lightweight, travel-friendly cameras suited to specific needs and budgets.

If you’re willing to stretch your pocket and want better quality and features, Sony WX80 earns my recommendation. For a straightforward shooter that gets out of your way - panasonic FH20 remains a solid budget pet project.

I hope my deep dive provides clear, practical guidance and helps you confidently pick your next compact camera. Happy shooting!

This comparison is based on extensive hands-on testing and technical analysis, aiming to empower you with actionable insights to match camera to your photography style and budget.