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Panasonic FZ100 vs Sony HX20V

Portability
67
Imaging
37
Features
62
Overall
47
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ100 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V front
Portability
90
Imaging
42
Features
50
Overall
45

Panasonic FZ100 vs Sony HX20V Key Specs

Panasonic FZ100
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-600mm (F2.8-5.2) lens
  • 540g - 124 x 82 x 92mm
  • Launched July 2010
  • Renewed by Panasonic FZ200
Sony HX20V
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-500mm (F3.2-5.8) lens
  • 254g - 107 x 62 x 35mm
  • Released July 2012
  • Superseded the Sony HX10V
  • New Model is Sony HX30V
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Panasonic FZ100 vs Sony HX20V Overview

Here is a thorough analysis of the Panasonic FZ100 vs Sony HX20V, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by companies Panasonic and Sony. There is a large difference among the image resolutions of the FZ100 (14MP) and HX20V (18MP) but they possess the exact same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The FZ100 was brought out 24 months before the HX20V making the cameras a generation apart from each other. Both the cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic FZ100 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony HX20V being a Compact camera.

Before we go through a thorough comparison, below is a quick summary of how the FZ100 grades versus the HX20V with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FZ100 over the Sony HX20V

 FZ100 HX20V 
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Sony HX20V over the Panasonic FZ100

 HX20V FZ100 
ReleasedJuly 2012July 2010Fresher by 24 months
Display resolution922k460kCrisper display (+462k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic FZ100 and Sony HX20V

 FZ100 HX20V 
Manual focus More precise focusing
Display dimension3"3"Identical display dimensions
Touch friendly display Absent Touch friendly display

Panasonic FZ100 vs Sony HX20V Physical Comparison

For anyone who is aiming to carry your camera often, you'll need to think about its weight and measurements. The Panasonic FZ100 offers exterior measurements of 124mm x 82mm x 92mm (4.9" x 3.2" x 3.6") and a weight of 540 grams (1.19 lbs) whilst the Sony HX20V has proportions of 107mm x 62mm x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4") having a weight of 254 grams (0.56 lbs).

Examine the Panasonic FZ100 vs Sony HX20V in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you have at that time. The following is the front view measurement comparison of the FZ100 and the HX20V.

Panasonic FZ100 vs Sony HX20V size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the FZ100 and HX20V is 67 and 90 respectively.

Panasonic FZ100 vs Sony HX20V top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FZ100 vs Sony HX20V Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is very difficult to envision the difference in sensor sizing just by seeing a spec sheet. The graphic underneath will help give you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the FZ100 and HX20V.

As you can see, both the cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements but not the same MP. You can expect to see the Sony HX20V to show extra detail having its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will enable you to crop photos somewhat more aggressively. The older FZ100 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor innovation.

Panasonic FZ100 vs Sony HX20V sensor size comparison

Panasonic FZ100 vs Sony HX20V Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FZ100 vs Sony HX20V Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FZ100 Portrait photography features
Sony HX20V Portrait photography features
54
has manual focus
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
includes face detect focus
exports RAW formats
sensor is small (1/2.3")
45
has manual focus
megapixel count decent (18 megapixels)
provides face detect focusing
cannot use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FZ100 as a Street photography camera
Sony HX20V as a Street photography camera
58
screen articulates
image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW formats
sensor is small (1/2.3")
heavier than average (540 grams)
61
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (254g)
fixed screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FZ100 Sports photography details
Sony HX20V Sports photography details
51
long zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
includes tracking focus
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
49
incredible zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (18 megapixels)
provides tracking focus
no shutter priority
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FZ100 Travel photography features
Sony HX20V Travel photography features
59
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
screen is selfie friendly
really wide (25mm)
great reach (600mm)
no Time Lapse mode
heavier than average (540 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
69
lighter than others in class (254g)
megapixel count decent (18 megapixels)
has built in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
long reach (500mm)
missing Time Lapse function
does not posses selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FZ100 Landscape photography features
Sony HX20V Landscape photography features
51
has manual focus
really wide (25mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
exports RAW formats
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no Time Lapse mode
50
has manual focus
pretty wide (25mm)
decent sized screen (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (18MP)
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
missing Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FZ100 Vlogging details
Sony HX20V Vlogging details
64
really wide (25mm)
screen is selfie friendly
image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detect focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
has mic support
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
heavier than average (540g)
34
pretty wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect focusing
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than others in class (254g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
missing mic socket
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Panasonic FZ100 vs Sony HX20V Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FZ100 and Sony HX20V
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ100Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V
General Information
Company Panasonic Sony
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ100 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2010-07-21 2012-07-20
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Venus Engine FHD BIONZ
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 18MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4320 x 3240 4896 x 3672
Highest native ISO 6400 12800
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points - 9
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-600mm (24.0x) 25-500mm (20.0x)
Largest aperture f/2.8-5.2 f/3.2-5.8
Macro focusing distance 1cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 460k dots 922k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen technology - XtraFine TruBlack TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shutter rate 11.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 9.50 m 7.10 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (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)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format AVCHD MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic port
Headphone port
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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 540 grams (1.19 pounds) 254 grams (0.56 pounds)
Dimensions 124 x 82 x 92mm (4.9" x 3.2" x 3.6") 107 x 62 x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" 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 - 320 photos
Form of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-BG1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Card slots 1 1
Launch cost $500 $397