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Panasonic FS15 vs Sony HX20V

Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
17
Overall
27
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS15 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V front
Portability
90
Imaging
42
Features
50
Overall
45

Panasonic FS15 vs Sony HX20V Key Specs

Panasonic FS15
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600 (Push to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 29-145mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 136g - 97 x 54 x 22mm
  • Released January 2009
Sony HX20V
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-500mm (F3.2-5.8) lens
  • 254g - 107 x 62 x 35mm
  • Launched July 2012
  • Succeeded the Sony HX10V
  • Successor is Sony HX30V
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Panasonic FS15 vs Sony HX20V Overview

Here, we will be matching up the Panasonic FS15 and Sony HX20V, one being a Ultracompact and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by rivals Panasonic and Sony. There exists a crucial gap between the image resolutions of the FS15 (12MP) and HX20V (18MP) but both cameras boast the identical sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The FS15 was manufactured 4 years before the HX20V and that is quite a serious gap as far as technology is concerned. Both of the cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic FS15 being a Ultracompact camera and the Sony HX20V being a Compact camera.

Before going right into a in depth comparison, here is a brief summary of how the FS15 matches up vs the HX20V in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FS15 over the Sony HX20V

 FS15 HX20V 

Reasons to pick Sony HX20V over the Panasonic FS15

 HX20V FS15 
LaunchedJuly 2012January 2009More recent by 42 months
Manual focus More precise focusing
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution922k230kClearer screen (+692k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic FS15 and Sony HX20V

 FS15 HX20V 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch screen Neither features Touch screen

Panasonic FS15 vs Sony HX20V Physical Comparison

For anybody who is going to lug around your camera regularly, you have to take into account its weight and size. The Panasonic FS15 enjoys external dimensions of 97mm x 54mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.1" x 0.9") with a weight of 136 grams (0.30 lbs) while the Sony HX20V has specifications of 107mm x 62mm x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4") and a weight of 254 grams (0.56 lbs).

Analyze the Panasonic FS15 and Sony HX20V in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you choose at that time. Underneath is a front view size comparison of the FS15 against the HX20V.

Panasonic FS15 vs Sony HX20V size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the FS15 and HX20V is 95 and 90 respectively.

Panasonic FS15 vs Sony HX20V top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FS15 vs Sony HX20V Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it can be difficult to visualize the gap between sensor measurements purely by going over technical specs. The graphic here may provide you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the FS15 and HX20V.

As you can tell, both cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit different MP. You should count on the Sony HX20V to offer you greater detail due to its extra 6 Megapixels. Higher resolution will allow you to crop pictures way more aggressively. The older FS15 is going to be behind in sensor tech.

Panasonic FS15 vs Sony HX20V sensor size comparison

Panasonic FS15 vs Sony HX20V Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FS15 vs Sony HX20V Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FS15 Portrait photography information
Sony HX20V Portrait photography information
21
no manual focus
no manual exposure
no external flash support
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
45
has manual focus
MP count decent (18MP)
provides face detect autofocus
can't use external flash
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FS15 Street photography details
Sony HX20V Street photography details
57
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
61
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (254g)
no moving screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FS15 Sports photography details
Sony HX20V Sports photography details
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
continuous shooting slow (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
49
excellent zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (18 megapixels)
provides tracking focus
no shutter priority
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FS15 as a Travel photography camera
Sony HX20V as a Travel photography camera
51
flash built-in
no Timelapse recording
low megapixels (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not great (29mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
69
lighter than competition in class (254 grams)
MP count decent (18MP)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (25mm)
long zoom (500mm)
lack of Timelapse function
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f3.2)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FS15 Landscape photography information
Sony HX20V Landscape photography information
28
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (29mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is small (2.7 inch)
no manual exposure
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
no Timelapse recording
50
has manual focus
reasonably wide (25mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (18MP)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.2)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
lack of Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FS15 Vlogging factors
Sony HX20V Vlogging factors
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not great (29mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (640 x 480 resolution)
no external microphone socket
34
reasonably wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition in class (254g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.2)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
lack of microphone support
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Panasonic FS15 vs Sony HX20V Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FS15 and Sony HX20V
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS15Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V
General Information
Company Panasonic Sony
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS15 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V
Category Ultracompact Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2009-01-16 2012-07-20
Physical type Ultracompact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - BIONZ
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 12MP 18MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2 4:3 and 16:9
Full resolution 4000 x 3000 4896 x 3672
Max native ISO 1600 12800
Max boosted ISO 6400 -
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 29-145mm (5.0x) 25-500mm (20.0x)
Max aperture f/3.3-5.9 f/3.2-5.8
Macro focus distance 5cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.7" 3"
Resolution of screen 230k dots 922k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen tech - XtraFine TruBlack TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 2.0 frames per sec 10.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range - 7.10 m
Flash options Auto, Auto Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced Off Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 640x480 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 136 grams (0.30 lbs) 254 grams (0.56 lbs)
Physical dimensions 97 x 54 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.1" x 0.9") 107 x 62 x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 - 320 photographs
Type of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model - NP-BG1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Card slots One One
Launch cost $180 $397