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Panasonic FZ100 vs Sony HX50V

Portability
67
Imaging
37
Features
62
Overall
47
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ100 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX50V front
Portability
89
Imaging
45
Features
57
Overall
49

Panasonic FZ100 vs Sony HX50V Key Specs

Panasonic FZ100
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-600mm (F2.8-5.2) lens
  • 540g - 124 x 82 x 92mm
  • Released July 2010
  • Refreshed by Panasonic FZ200
Sony HX50V
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200 (Increase to 12800)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.5 - 6.3) lens
  • 272g - 108 x 64 x 38mm
  • Announced April 2013
  • Older Model is Sony HX30V
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Panasonic FZ100 vs Sony HX50V Overview

Let's take a closer look at the Panasonic FZ100 and Sony HX50V, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by competitors Panasonic and Sony. There exists a significant gap between the sensor resolutions of the FZ100 (14MP) and HX50V (20MP) but both cameras offer the same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The FZ100 was introduced 3 years before the HX50V and that is quite a sizable gap as far as technology is concerned. Each of the cameras have different body design with the Panasonic FZ100 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony HX50V being a Compact camera.

Before we go straight to a detailed comparison, here is a simple summation of how the FZ100 scores against the HX50V with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FZ100 over the Sony HX50V

 FZ100 HX50V 
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Sony HX50V over the Panasonic FZ100

 HX50V FZ100 
AnnouncedApril 2013July 2010Fresher by 33 months
Screen resolution921k460kCrisper screen (+461k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic FZ100 and Sony HX50V

 FZ100 HX50V 
Manual focus More precise focus
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen sizing
Touch friendly screen No Touch friendly screen

Panasonic FZ100 vs Sony HX50V Physical Comparison

For those who are intending to carry your camera often, you're going to have to factor its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic FZ100 has got outer dimensions of 124mm x 82mm x 92mm (4.9" x 3.2" x 3.6") accompanied by a weight of 540 grams (1.19 lbs) whilst the Sony HX50V has dimensions of 108mm x 64mm x 38mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.5") accompanied by a weight of 272 grams (0.60 lbs).

See the Panasonic FZ100 and Sony HX50V 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 differ based on the lens you have chosen at the time. Following is a front view physical size comparison of the FZ100 vs the HX50V.

Panasonic FZ100 vs Sony HX50V size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the FZ100 and HX50V is 67 and 89 respectively.

Panasonic FZ100 vs Sony HX50V top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FZ100 vs Sony HX50V Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is very tough to visualise the difference between sensor sizing purely by going over specs. The photograph below should give you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the FZ100 and HX50V.

All in all, the two cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same MP. You should expect the Sony HX50V to deliver greater detail using its extra 6MP. Higher resolution will help you crop shots more aggressively. The older FZ100 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor technology.

Panasonic FZ100 vs Sony HX50V sensor size comparison

Panasonic FZ100 vs Sony HX50V Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FZ100 vs Sony HX50V Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FZ100 Portrait photography advice
Sony HX50V Portrait photography advice
54
focusing manually
MP count good (14 megapixels)
offers face detection autofocus
delivers RAW files
small sensor (1/2.3")
51
manual focus
megapixel count good (20MP)
offers face detection focusing
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FZ100 Street photography factors
Sony HX50V Street photography factors
58
fully articulated screen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW files
small sensor (1/2.3")
heavier than competition in class (540 grams)
62
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors (272g)
no articulating screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FZ100 Sports photography info
Sony HX50V Sports photography info
51
great zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (14MP)
offers tracking autofocus
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
58
excellent zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (20 megapixels)
offers tracking autofocus
great battery (400 CIPA)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FZ100 Travel photography information
Sony HX50V Travel photography information
59
MP count good (14MP)
flash built-in
screen is selfie friendly
relatively wide (25mm)
very long zoom (600mm)
lack of Time Lapse mode
heavier than competition in class (540 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
71
great battery (400 CIPA)
lighter than competitors (272g)
megapixel count good (20MP)
flash built-in
decently wide (24mm)
long reach (720mm)
does not have Timelapse recording
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5 )
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FZ100 Landscape photography highlights
Sony HX50V Landscape photography highlights
51
focusing manually
relatively wide (25mm)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (14MP)
delivers RAW files
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of Time Lapse mode
54
manual focus
decently wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (20MP)
great battery (400 shots)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5 )
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
does not have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FZ100 Vlogging details
Sony HX50V Vlogging details
64
relatively wide (25mm)
screen is selfie friendly
built in image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
has external mic socket
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
heavier than competition in class (540 grams)
34
decently wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competitors (272g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5 )
display is not selfie friendly
does not have external microphone socket
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Panasonic FZ100 vs Sony HX50V Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FZ100 and Sony HX50V
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ100Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX50V
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Sony
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ100 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX50V
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2010-07-21 2013-04-24
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Venus Engine FHD -
Sensor type CMOS 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 14 megapixel 20 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4320 x 3240 5184 x 2920
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Maximum boosted ISO - 12800
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-600mm (24.0x) 24-720mm (30.0x)
Max aperture f/2.8-5.2 f/3.5 - 6.3
Macro focusing distance 1cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display sizing 3" 3"
Display resolution 460 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display tech - XtraFine LCD display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic (optional)
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting rate 11.0 frames per second 10.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 9.50 m 5.60 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync, Rear Sync, Advanced Flash
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
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 (60fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 1280 x 720 (30fps), 640 x 480 (30fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format AVCHD MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
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 gr (1.19 pounds) 272 gr (0.60 pounds)
Physical dimensions 124 x 82 x 92mm (4.9" x 3.2" x 3.6") 108 x 64 x 38mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.5")
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 - 400 photographs
Form of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-BX1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Card slots 1 1
Retail pricing $500 $439