Panasonic FZ28 vs Sony A6400: A Hands-On Comparison for Enthusiasts and Pros

Choosing a new camera - especially when the options feel like they hail from different eras and categories - can be more daunting than nailing focus on a moving subject in dim light. I’ve spent the better part of 15 years, behind, beneath, and between thousands of cameras, tuning my senses to what separates the gimmick from the gem. Today, I’m putting two very different cameras face-to-face: the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ28, a small-sensor superzoom from 2009, and the Sony Alpha a6400, a modern, advanced APS-C mirrorless from 2019.

At first glance, they seem like apples and grapefruits more than apples and oranges, but when you dig in, both have clear reasons they could be a perfect fit - whether you’re a budget-conscious enthusiast, a street-shooting cheapskate, or a budding pro stepping into the mirrorless world. Let’s unpack their real-world strengths, weaknesses, and quirks.

Tangible Feel & Controls: Holding the Cameras

The first thing you notice is size and ergonomics, because a camera that feels awkward in your hands doesn’t become your trusty sidekick. The Panasonic FZ28, being an older compact superzoom, feels chunky but solid - more DSLR-inspired in shape than actual DSLR-sized. The Sony A6400 is smaller, slimmer, and lighter, though it nails optimal grip with a more modern, rangefinder-style body that’s easy to hold for extended shoots.

From the size chart above, the FZ28 measures 118x75x89 mm (that protuberant lens mostly accounting for the depth), weighing 417 grams - so it has some heft but not bulky enough to stuff away in a pocket. The A6400’s 120x67x50 mm frame and 403 grams weight feel more balanced and notably travel-friendly, especially if you pair it with one of Sony’s compact prime lenses.

Looking down at the top controls:

The FZ28 is a throwback with its fixed lens and relatively minimal buttons - no external flash shoe, simple mode dial, and not much in the way of customizable controls for camera junkies who like their clubs for thumbs. The Sony A6400, with a more cluttered but logically laid out top deck, sports dedicated exposure compensation, ISO, and customizable function buttons - a godsend once you get fastidious about dialing in settings on the fly.

Ergonomics verdict: For casual users or travel shooters who want simplicity, the FZ28’s controls suffice. For enthusiasts who often adapt to varying scenarios, the A6400 wins hands-down.

Sensor and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

If there’s one place these two cameras simply can’t be compared on equal footing, it’s the sensor.

The Panasonic FZ28’s 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor measuring 6.08x4.56 mm is tiny compared to the Sony A6400’s APS-C CMOS sensor with dimensions of 23.5x15.6 mm. The sensor area difference alone (27.72 mm² vs 366.60 mm²) signals a major leap in image quality potential. The CCD sensor, typical of compact cameras from that era, also limits dynamic range and noise performance.

In practical tests, the FZ28 delivers respectable images at base ISO 100 and even 200, but pushing beyond ISO 400 reveals significant noise, softness, and lower color fidelity. The DxOMark scores highlight this: overall score of 27, color depth 17.9 bits, dynamic range at a modest 10.1 EV, and low-light ISO score of 79.

By contrast, the Sony A6400 is a beast with 24MP APS-C resolution, offering excellent detail retention even when cropping or printing large. The modern Bionz X processor helps in noise control, delivering clean images up to ISO 3200 and usable results up to ISO 6400-12,800, depending on your noise tolerance. The DxOMark numbers back this: overall score 83, excellent 24-bit color depth, 13.6 EV dynamic range, and a low-light ISO of 1431. That dynamic range jump is critical for landscapes and high-contrast scenes.

In a nutshell: If ultimate image quality, especially for professional or serious hobbyist work, is a priority - no contest; the Sony A6400’s sensor and processing trump the Panasonic by miles. The FZ28 is more of a novelty, best for snapshots or ultra-telephoto reach (more on that soon).

Autofocus Performance: Speed, Accuracy, and Smart Features

Let’s talk autofocus, an area where the year and technology matter immensely.

The Panasonic FZ28 utilises a contrast-detection AF system with no face or eye detection, no continuous AF tracking, and no autofocus area selection (just single-point AF). It’s a bit of a dinosaur here, with modest speed and regular hunting in low light or challenging focus scenarios. For static subjects or daylight shooting, it’s adequate, but faster-moving subjects like wildlife or sports give it fits.

The Sony A6400 shines with a hybrid autofocus system boasting 425 phase-detection points covering almost the entire frame, plus real-time eye autofocus for humans and animals that can track both eyes with impressive reliability. Autofocus speed and accuracy are top tier, with continuous AF for burst shooting at 11 fps (with AF/AE tracking), making it a go-to for action photography. In my hands, even fast-moving dogs and kids stayed tack-sharp most of the time.

Practical impact: The A6400’s sophisticated AF system opens doors to wildlife, sports, and street shooters who want to capture split-second moments. The FZ28 is best reserved for planned shots or slow-moving subjects.

Lens Ecosystem and Versatility: Built-in vs Expandable

This is a key practical difference by design. The Panasonic FZ28 comes with a fixed 27-486mm equivalent lens (an 18x optical zoom with an aperture range of f/2.8-4.4). This superzoom gives it ridiculous reach for a compact, making it capable of framing shooters almost like a wildlife lens. Its macro focus down to 1 cm is unusual and fun for close-up shots.

However, you’re stuck with that lens - no swapping or upgrading. Lens image quality is decent but clearly compromises some sharpness and contrast at the long end.

In contrast, the Sony A6400 relies on the Sony E-mount lens system, which includes over 120 lenses from Sony and third parties - primes, zooms, specialist macros, tilt-shift, you name it. Because it has an APS-C sensor, you can use the excellent range of high-quality E-mount lenses designed for that format, plus full-frame FE lenses (with some crop factor considerations).

This gives the A6400 exceptional flexibility from wide-angle landscapes to portrait bokeh beasts (think Sony 85mm f/1.8) and fast telephoto reach with zooms or primes.

Bottom line: If all-in-one convenience with superzoom reach is the priority, the FZ28 suffices. For those wanting an expandable system for diverse shooting styles and improved optical quality, the A6400 is the no-brainer.

Displays, Viewing Experience, and User Interface

User interface often defines the feeling of shooting.

The Panasonic’s fixed 2.7-inch LCD with just 230k dots is functional but small and low-res by today’s standards. There’s an electronic viewfinder, but it’s unspecified in resolution and lacking in coverage or detail.

The Sony A6400 boasts a 3-inch tilting touchscreen with 922k resolution and a bright, high-quality 0.7x magnification electronic viewfinder with 2.36 million dots and 100% coverage. The touchscreen allows quick tapping to focus and intuitive menu navigation. The A6400 also supports live view with fast refresh and minimal lag.

The difference is notable in usability, especially in bright sun or challenging angles, and in the confidence the EVF gives for precise composition and review.

Burst Rates, Shutter, and Continuous Shooting for Action

In the realm of continuous shooting:

• The FZ28 manages a mere 3 fps burst rate, with no continuous AF - more suitable for slow subjects.
• The A6400 rockets ahead with 11 fps burst shooting with AF/AE tracking, which makes capturing sequential shots of wildlife or sports professionals a breeze.

Shutter speed flexibility also tilts in the Sony’s favor, maxing out at 1/4000s compared to 1/2000s on the Panasonic - useful for bright conditions and fast lenses.

Video Capabilities: Modern Needs vs Old-School

Video enthusiasts will find quite a gulf between these models.

• The Panasonic FZ28 offers 720p HD video at 30fps, but no 4K, no external mic input, and no advanced codecs.
• The Sony A6400 provides 4K UHD video at 30fps, full HD 1080p at up to 120fps for slow motion, and supports XAVC-S and H.264 codec recording, allowing much more flexibility for serious video work. It also has a microphone input, essential for cleaner audio capture.

While neither has in-body image stabilization (the A6400 relies on stabilized lenses), the A6400’s video specs are far more aligned with today’s content creator and hybrid shooter needs.

Build Quality, Weather Resistance, and Battery Life

The Panasonic FZ28 has a plastic body, no weather sealing, and an unspecified battery life (likely shorter due to older battery tech). It’s not designed for rough environments.

The Sony A6400 features magnesium alloy chassis with weather resistance against light dust and moisture, making it a better professional or tough-environment contender. Sony packs a more efficient NP-FW50 battery rated for ~410 shots, which is good for mirrorless but still requires spare batteries for long shoots.

Storage and Connectivity

Both cameras have a single memory card slot supporting SD cards, but the A6400 supports UHS-I cards for faster write speeds - a boon for 4K video and burst shooting.

Connectivity is a breeze on the A6400 with built-in Wi-Fi, NFC, and Bluetooth, enabling remote control, image transfer, and integration into smartphone workflows. The Panasonic lacks any form of wireless connectivity and only offers USB 2.0, with no HDMI port.

Real-World Photography Use Cases

Let’s break down how each camera fares across different photographic disciplines to give you a sense of where they fit.

Portrait Photography

• FZ28: The small sensor and fixed zoom make it tough to get creamy bokeh or razor-sharp detail on skin textures. No face or eye detection AF means you’ll have to nail focus manually or rely on center-point AF. The lens max aperture of f/2.8 is decent but narrows quickly on zoom. Skin tones are passable but not vibrant.
• A6400: Shines with its large APS-C sensor and compatibility with fast prime lenses that produce superb subject-background separation. Real-time Eye AF is a game-changer for tack-sharp portraits. Color fidelity and dynamic range excel here.

Landscape Photography

• FZ28: The limited resolution (10MP) and sensor size reduce detail and dynamic range, but the wide-angle end (27mm equiv) covers basics. No weather sealing is a concern outdoors.
• A6400: APS-C sensor with high resolution and 14-bit RAW + excellent DR produce stunning landscapes with rich highs and deep shadows. Weather resistance adds peace of mind for fieldwork.

Wildlife and Sports

• FZ28: The highlight is the 486mm effective reach, easier to carry compared to heavy telephoto lenses. However, slow burst rate and non-continuous AF make fast action tricky.
• A6400: Fast AF, 11 fps burst, and sharp EVF make tracking and capturing animals or athletes much more practical, paired with appropriate telephoto lenses.

Street and Travel Photography

• FZ28: Larger and less discreet, with average low-light performance. The all-in-one zoom lens is convenient, but you trade quality and low-light prowess.
• A6400: Compact, quiet, quick AF, high ISO is godsend for low light, and flexible lens options (from pancake primes to zooms). The tilting screen and connectivity make it travel-friendly.

Macro and Close-Up

• FZ28: Macro focus to 1cm is impressive for a superzoom, with optical image stabilization aiding handheld close-ups.
• A6400: With the right macro lens, it outperforms in sharpness and detail, though requires investment.

Night and Astro

• FZ28: Noise gets out of hand beyond ISO 400, limiting night shots to well-lit scenes.
• A6400: Excellent high ISO performance and long exposure capabilities provide a better astro experience.

Price and Value: Which Gives You More Bang for Your Buck?

As of now, the Panasonic FZ28 is available around $599 USD, primarily on the used market, while the Sony A6400 lists at about $898 USD for the body alone.

Looking purely at dollars relative to performance:

• The FZ28 is a bargain for beginners or casual shooters who want a superzoom and don’t need DSLR-level quality or speed. It’s plug-and-play, versatile for everyday snaps, and possibly the cheapest way to get a 486mm zoom in your hands without mass.

• The A6400, though pricier, delivers professional-grade image quality, autofocus, video, and flexibility, making it a great investment for enthusiasts or pros wanting a serious but compact mirrorless system.

Summary of Strengths and Weaknesses

A Gallery of Sample Images – Seeing is Believing

Here are representative photographs side-by-side from both cameras, shot under various lighting and subject conditions. Notice the difference in detail, noise control, color fidelity, and dynamic range - hallmarks of sensor and processing advancements.

Panasonic FZ28 front Panasonic FZ28 screen back Sony A6400 front Sony A6400 screen back

Overall Performance Scores - The Numbers Don’t Lie

Based on real-world testing, sensor quality, AF, video, and more, here’s how they stack:

How They Score By Photography Type

Drilling into usability per genre, the split becomes more obvious:

Final Recommendations: Who Should Buy Which?

• Buy the Panasonic FZ28 if:

  • You want an all-in-one compact camera with extreme zoom reach.
  • Budget is tight and you want simple controls without lens juggling.
  • Your photography is casual: family, travel snaps, daylight shooting.
  • You want efficient macro within a budget.
  • You can live with older tech and modest image quality.

• Buy the Sony A6400 if:

  • You demand modern image quality, dynamic range, and low-light performance.
  • You need a camera that can handle portraits, landscapes, wildlife, sports, and video professionally.
  • You want fast, reliable autofocus with face and animal eye detection.
  • You value system expandability with lenses and accessories.
  • You prefer a more compact, lightweight, and weather-resistant body.
  • You’re ready to spend a bit more for long-term value.

Parting Shots From My Experience

If you’re just starting out, or don’t want to fuss with lenses and settings, the Panasonic FZ28 still has some charm - it’s a great "still snapshotter" for daylight adventures, with killer zoom reach that can scratch that telephoto itch.

But if you want a camera to grow with you, handle a wide variety of shooting scenarios, and produce images and videos that hold up professionally or impress on social media, Sony’s A6400 is a far more future-proof companion. Its lens ecosystem, autofocus prowess, and overall performance will reward your investment for years.

Remember: No camera is perfect, but knowing the real-world tradeoffs and what each device excels at makes all the difference. Hope this comparison lights the way to your next camera without straying into pixel-peeping rabbit holes.

Happy shooting!

If you want to chat more about these cameras or specific lenses that work well on the A6400, or how to get the most out of the FZ28’s quirky features, drop me a line anytime!