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Panasonic FH8 vs Sony HX300

Portability
96
Imaging
39
Features
32
Overall
36
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH8 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX300 front
Portability
63
Imaging
44
Features
51
Overall
46

Panasonic FH8 vs Sony HX300 Key Specs

Panasonic FH8
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-120mm (F2.5-6.4) lens
  • 123g - 96 x 57 x 19mm
  • Introduced January 2012
Sony HX300
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 80 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-1200mm (F2.8-6.3) lens
  • 623g - 130 x 103 x 93mm
  • Released February 2013
  • Previous Model is Sony HX200V
  • Replacement is Sony HX400V
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Panasonic FH8 vs Sony HX300 Overview

The following is a in depth overview of the Panasonic FH8 vs Sony HX300, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by competitors Panasonic and Sony. The sensor resolution of the FH8 (16MP) and the HX300 (20MP) is pretty similar and both cameras provide the identical sensor size (1/2.3").

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The FH8 was brought out 13 months before the HX300 which makes them a generation away from each other. The two cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic FH8 being a Compact camera and the Sony HX300 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before we go straight to a thorough comparison, here is a concise view of how the FH8 grades vs the HX300 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic FH8 over the Sony HX300

 FH8 HX300 

Reasons to pick Sony HX300 over the Panasonic FH8

 HX300 FH8 
ReleasedFebruary 2013January 2012Newer by 13 months
Manually focus Very precise focusing
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution921k230kCrisper screen (+691k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic FH8 and Sony HX300

 FH8 HX300 
Screen size3"3"Same screen size
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch screen Missing Touch screen

Panasonic FH8 vs Sony HX300 Physical Comparison

If you're planning to travel with your camera often, you're going to have to factor its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic FH8 features outer measurements of 96mm x 57mm x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") with a weight of 123 grams (0.27 lbs) while the Sony HX300 has dimensions of 130mm x 103mm x 93mm (5.1" x 4.1" x 3.7") with a weight of 623 grams (1.37 lbs).

Examine the Panasonic FH8 vs Sony HX300 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are using at that time. The following is a front view physical size comparison of the FH8 against the HX300.

Panasonic FH8 vs Sony HX300 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the FH8 and HX300 is 96 and 63 respectively.

Panasonic FH8 vs Sony HX300 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FH8 vs Sony HX300 Sensor Comparison

Often, it's hard to see the difference between sensor dimensions simply by reading technical specs. The pic underneath might give you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the FH8 and HX300.

As you have seen, both cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit not the same MP. You should expect the Sony HX300 to offer more detail having its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will allow you to crop shots way more aggressively. The more aged FH8 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.

Panasonic FH8 vs Sony HX300 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FH8 vs Sony HX300 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FH8 vs Sony HX300 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FH8 Portrait photography features
Sony HX300 Portrait photography features
34
MP count good (16MP)
has face detect focusing
focusing manually not possible
manual mode not available
can't use external flash
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
42
you can focus manually
good megapixels (20MP)
external flash not possible
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FH8 as a Street photography camera
Sony HX300 as a Street photography camera
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (123g)
no articulating screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
50
tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
more heavy than others (623g)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic FH8
Sports photography with Sony HX300
40
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
has tracking focus
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
55
great zoom range (24-1200mm 50.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (20 megapixels)
comes with tracking autofocus
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FH8 Travel photography information
Sony HX300 Travel photography information
69
lighter than others in class (123 grams)
MP count good (16MP)
has built in flash
fairly wide (24mm)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
does not have selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.5)
54
good megapixels (20MP)
built-in flash
fairly wide (24mm)
very long reach (1200mm)
missing Timelapse mode
more heavy than others (623g)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FH8 Landscape photography advice
Sony HX300 Landscape photography advice
43
fairly wide (24mm)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.5)
manual mode not available
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
doesn't have Timelapse mode
48
you can focus manually
fairly wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (20 megapixels)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
missing Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FH8 Vlogging details
Sony HX300 Vlogging details
33
fairly wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect focusing
lighter than others in class (123 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.5)
does not have selfie friendly display
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have microphone port
25
fairly wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
missing external microphone jack
more heavy than others (623g)
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Panasonic FH8 vs Sony HX300 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FH8 and Sony HX300
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH8Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX300
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Sony
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH8 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX300
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2012-01-09 2013-02-20
Body design Compact SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.16 x 4.62mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 28.5mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 20 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 -
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 5184 x 3888
Max native ISO 6400 12800
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 23 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-120mm (5.0x) 24-1200mm (50.0x)
Maximum aperture f/2.5-6.4 f/2.8-6.3
Macro focusing range 4cm -
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Tilting
Display diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 230 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display tech TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Features
Lowest shutter speed 8s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/1600s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting speed 1.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 5.60 m -
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction -
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60, 50 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4 -
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 123g (0.27 lb) 623g (1.37 lb)
Physical dimensions 96 x 57 x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") 130 x 103 x 93mm (5.1" x 4.1" x 3.7")
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 260 shots -
Form of battery Battery Pack -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) -
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal -
Storage slots 1 1
Retail pricing $149 $339