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Panasonic FH7 vs Sony WX500

Portability
96
Imaging
39
Features
36
Overall
37
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH7 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX500 front
Portability
91
Imaging
44
Features
56
Overall
48

Panasonic FH7 vs Sony WX500 Key Specs

Panasonic FH7
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-112mm (F3.1-6.5) lens
  • 126g - 95 x 56 x 19mm
  • Launched September 2011
  • Also referred to as Lumix DMC-FS22
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
  • Launched April 2015
  • Previous Model is Sony WX350
Photography Glossary

Panasonic FH7 vs Sony WX500 Overview

The following is a complete assessment of the Panasonic FH7 and Sony WX500, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by manufacturers Panasonic and Sony. The resolution of the FH7 (16MP) and the WX500 (18MP) is very close and they use the exact same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The FH7 was manufactured 4 years prior to the WX500 which is a fairly big gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before going straight into a more detailed comparison, below is a simple synopsis of how the FH7 scores vs the WX500 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FH7 over the Sony WX500

 FH7 WX500 
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Sony WX500 over the Panasonic FH7

 WX500 FH7 
LaunchedApril 2015September 2011Newer by 43 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution921k230kCrisper display (+691k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic FH7 and Sony WX500

 FH7 WX500 
Manual focus Lack of manual focus
Display dimension3"3"Identical display sizing
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen

Panasonic FH7 vs Sony WX500 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is going to travel with your camera frequently, you'll have to consider its weight and volume. The Panasonic FH7 provides exterior measurements of 95mm x 56mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7") along with a weight of 126 grams (0.28 lbs) while the Sony WX500 has sizing of 102mm x 58mm x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.4") along with a weight of 236 grams (0.52 lbs).

Contrast the Panasonic FH7 and Sony WX500 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you choose at the time. Below is the front view proportions comparison of the FH7 vs the WX500.

Panasonic FH7 vs Sony WX500 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the FH7 and WX500 is 96 and 91 respectively.

Panasonic FH7 vs Sony WX500 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FH7 vs Sony WX500 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is hard to visualize the difference in sensor dimensions just by viewing technical specs. The pic underneath might give you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the FH7 and WX500.

As you have seen, both cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements but different megapixels. You should expect to see the Sony WX500 to render extra detail due to its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will allow you to crop images much more aggressively. The more aged FH7 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Panasonic FH7 vs Sony WX500 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FH7 vs Sony WX500 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FH7 vs Sony WX500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FH7 Portrait photography features
Sony WX500 Portrait photography features
34
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
has face detection focusing
focusing manually not possible
no manual mode
can't use external flash
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
39
decent megapixels (18 megapixels)
offers face detect focus
lack of manual focus
cannot use external flash
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic FH7
Street photography with Sony WX500
67
image stabilization (Optical)
provides focus via touch
lighter than competitors in class (126 grams)
fixed screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
70
screen tilts
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (236g)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FH7 Sports photography factors
Sony WX500 Sports photography factors
40
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (16MP)
has tracking autofocus
low fps (4.0 fps)
no shutter priority
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
57
long zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (18 megapixels)
offers tracking focus
great battery pack (360 per charge)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FH7 as a Travel photography camera
Sony WX500 as a Travel photography camera
71
lighter than competitors in class (126 grams)
provides focus via touch
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
fairly wide (28mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
71
great battery pack (360 per charge)
lighter than competition in class (236 grams)
decent megapixels (18 megapixels)
has built in flash
really wide (24mm)
very long zoom (720mm)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FH7 Landscape photography features
Sony WX500 Landscape photography features
43
fairly wide (28mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
no manual mode
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
49
really wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (18 megapixels)
great battery pack (360 CIPA)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
doesn't have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FH7 Vlogging features
Sony WX500 Vlogging features
34
fairly wide (28mm)
has touchscreen
image stabilization (Optical)
has face detection focusing
lighter than competitors in class (126 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have external mic socket
35
really wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detect focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition in class (236 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen isn't selfie friendly
doesn't have microphone port
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Panasonic FH7 vs Sony WX500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FH7 and Sony WX500
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH7Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX500
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Sony
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH7 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX500
Also referred to as Lumix DMC-FS22 -
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2011-09-07 2015-04-14
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Venus Engine IV 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 surface area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 18MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 4896 x 3672
Maximum native ISO 6400 12800
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 11 -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-112mm (4.0x) 24-720mm (30.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.1-6.5 f/3.5-6.4
Macro focus range 5cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen sizing 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 60s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/1600s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter speed 4.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 3.30 m 5.40 m (with Auto ISO)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction Auto, flash on, slow sync, flash off, rear sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (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
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 126g (0.28 lb) 236g (0.52 lb)
Dimensions 95 x 56 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7") 102 x 58 x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.4")
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 life 260 images 360 images
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - NP-BX1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo
Storage slots One One
Pricing at release $149 $348