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Panasonic FH3 vs Sony WX500

Portability
94
Imaging
36
Features
21
Overall
30
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH3 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX500 front
Portability
91
Imaging
43
Features
56
Overall
48

Panasonic FH3 vs Sony WX500 Key Specs

Panasonic FH3
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F2.8-6.9) lens
  • 165g - 98 x 55 x 24mm
  • Released January 2010
  • Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-FS11
Sony WX500
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • 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
  • Previous Model is Sony WX350
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Panasonic FH3 vs Sony WX500 Overview

Below, we will be reviewing the Panasonic FH3 versus Sony WX500, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by rivals Panasonic and Sony. There exists a sizeable gap between the image resolutions of the FH3 (14MP) and WX500 (18MP) but they come with the exact same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The FH3 was launched 6 years earlier than the WX500 which is quite a large gap as far as technology is concerned. Both of the cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before delving through a comprehensive comparison, below is a simple highlight of how the FH3 grades against the WX500 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FH3 over the Sony WX500

 FH3 WX500 

Reasons to pick Sony WX500 over the Panasonic FH3

 WX500 FH3 
IntroducedApril 2015January 2010Newer by 64 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen dimension3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution921k230kSharper screen (+691k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic FH3 and Sony WX500

 FH3 WX500 
Manually focus Lack of manual focus
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither includes Touch friendly screen

Panasonic FH3 vs Sony WX500 Physical Comparison

If you're planning to travel with your camera, you will need to factor in its weight and volume. The Panasonic FH3 features exterior dimensions of 98mm x 55mm x 24mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 165 grams (0.36 lbs) while the Sony WX500 has sizing of 102mm x 58mm x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.4") and a weight of 236 grams (0.52 lbs).

Take a look at the Panasonic FH3 versus Sony WX500 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you select at that time. Below is the front view measurements comparison of the FH3 versus the WX500.

Panasonic FH3 vs Sony WX500 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the FH3 and WX500 is 94 and 91 respectively.

Panasonic FH3 vs Sony WX500 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FH3 vs Sony WX500 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is very difficult to see the contrast between sensor dimensions merely by looking at a spec sheet. The image here will give you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the FH3 and WX500.

As you can see, each of these cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements albeit not the same megapixels. You should count on the Sony WX500 to resolve greater detail utilizing its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also let you crop shots somewhat more aggressively. The more aged FH3 is going to be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Panasonic FH3 vs Sony WX500 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FH3 vs Sony WX500 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FH3 vs Sony WX500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FH3 Portrait photography highlights
Sony WX500 Portrait photography highlights
28
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
no manual focus
no manual exposure
can't use external flash
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW files
39
megapixel count good (18 megapixels)
supports face detection focusing
no manual focus
can't use external flash
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FH3 as a Street photography camera
Sony WX500 as a Street photography camera
56
image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW files
69
has a tilting screen
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (236 grams)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FH3 Sports photography details
Sony WX500 Sports photography details
34
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
max fps low (6.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
57
great zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (18 megapixels)
supports tracking autofocus
better than average battery pack (360 shots)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FH3 Travel photography factors
Sony WX500 Travel photography factors
64
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
really wide (28mm)
no Timelapse recording
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
71
better than average battery pack (360 per charge)
lighter than competition (236 grams)
megapixel count good (18MP)
has built in flash
quite wide (24mm)
great reach (720mm)
lack of Time Lapse mode
does not have selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FH3 Landscape photography features
Sony WX500 Landscape photography features
37
really wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
no manual exposure
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW files
no Timelapse recording
49
quite wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (18 megapixels)
better than average battery pack (360 per charge)
no manual focus
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
lack of Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FH3 Vlogging details
Sony WX500 Vlogging details
29
really wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is not selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
no microphone socket
35
quite wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detection focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition (236g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
does not have selfie friendly display
lack of external mic jack
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Panasonic FH3 vs Sony WX500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FH3 and Sony WX500
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH3Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX500
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Sony
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH3 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX500
Other name Lumix DMC-FS11 -
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2010-01-06 2015-04-14
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip - Bionz X
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 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 Possible resolution 4320 x 3240 4896 x 3672
Maximum native ISO 6400 12800
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-140mm (5.0x) 24-720mm (30.0x)
Highest aperture f/2.8-6.9 f/3.5-6.4
Macro focusing distance 5cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display sizing 2.7 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 230k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 60s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/1600s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter speed 6.0 frames per sec 10.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 6.80 m 5.40 m (with Auto ISO)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, flash on, slow sync, flash off, rear sync
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported 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)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG AVCHD, XAVC S
Mic input
Headphone input
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 seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 165g (0.36 lbs) 236g (0.52 lbs)
Dimensions 98 x 55 x 24mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") 102 x 58 x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 shots
Form of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-BX1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo
Storage slots One One
Retail price $160 $348