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Panasonic FZ47 vs Sony HX20V

Portability
68
Imaging
36
Features
45
Overall
39
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ47 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V front
Portability
90
Imaging
42
Features
50
Overall
45

Panasonic FZ47 vs Sony HX20V Key Specs

Panasonic FZ47
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Raise to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-600mm (F2.8-5.2) lens
  • 498g - 120 x 80 x 92mm
  • Revealed July 2011
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-FZ48
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
  • Revealed July 2012
  • Superseded the Sony HX10V
  • Successor is Sony HX30V
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Panasonic FZ47 vs Sony HX20V Overview

On this page, we will be analyzing the Panasonic FZ47 versus Sony HX20V, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by companies Panasonic and Sony. There is a noticeable difference between the image resolutions of the FZ47 (12MP) and HX20V (18MP) but both cameras posses the same sensor size (1/2.3").

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The FZ47 was released 12 months earlier than the HX20V and they are of a similar age. The two cameras have different body design with the Panasonic FZ47 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony HX20V being a Compact camera.

Before diving into a comprehensive comparison, here is a quick overview of how the FZ47 matches up against the HX20V in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic FZ47 over the Sony HX20V

 FZ47 HX20V 

Reasons to pick Sony HX20V over the Panasonic FZ47

 HX20V FZ47 
RevealedJuly 2012July 2011Newer by 12 months
Screen resolution922k460kSharper screen (+462k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic FZ47 and Sony HX20V

 FZ47 HX20V 
Focus manually Dial exact focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen size
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Lacking Touch friendly screen

Panasonic FZ47 vs Sony HX20V Physical Comparison

For those who are planning to travel with your camera regularly, you have to factor its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic FZ47 offers exterior dimensions of 120mm x 80mm x 92mm (4.7" x 3.1" x 3.6") having a weight of 498 grams (1.10 lbs) and the Sony HX20V has dimensions of 107mm x 62mm x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4") with a weight of 254 grams (0.56 lbs).

See the Panasonic FZ47 versus Sony HX20V in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are utilising during that time. Following is a front view overall size comparison of the FZ47 compared to the HX20V.

Panasonic FZ47 vs Sony HX20V size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the FZ47 and HX20V is 68 and 90 respectively.

Panasonic FZ47 vs Sony HX20V top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FZ47 vs Sony HX20V Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is hard to imagine the gap between sensor dimensions purely by looking at a spec sheet. The picture underneath will offer you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the FZ47 and HX20V.

Clearly, both of the cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit different resolution. You can count on the Sony HX20V to give you extra detail as a result of its extra 6MP. Higher resolution will let you crop pictures more aggressively. The more aged FZ47 is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.

Panasonic FZ47 vs Sony HX20V sensor size comparison

Panasonic FZ47 vs Sony HX20V Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FZ47 vs Sony HX20V Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FZ47 Portrait photography factors
Sony HX20V Portrait photography factors
38
focusing manually
above average flash sync (1/2,000s)
comes with face detect autofocus
external flash not possible
low resolution (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
45
you can focus manually
good resolution (18MP)
includes face detection autofocus
cannot use external flash
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FZ47 Street photography factors
Sony HX20V Street photography factors
43
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
heavier than others (498 grams)
61
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (254 grams)
screen is fixed
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic FZ47
Sports photography with Sony HX20V
43
incredible zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
comes with tracking focus
good battery power (400 shots)
low frames per second (4.0 frames/s)
low resolution (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
49
incredible zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (18 megapixels)
includes tracking autofocus
no shutter priority mode
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FZ47 Travel photography advice
Sony HX20V Travel photography advice
52
good battery power (400 CIPA)
has built in flash
fairly wide (25mm)
great zoom (600mm)
no Time Lapse recording
heavier than others (498g)
low resolution (12MP)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
69
lighter than average in class (254 grams)
good resolution (18MP)
has built in flash
decently wide (25mm)
very long zoom (500mm)
lack of Time Lapse function
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic FZ47
Landscape photography with Sony HX20V
43
focusing manually
fairly wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good battery power (400 per charge)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
low resolution (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
no Time Lapse recording
50
you can focus manually
decently wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (18MP)
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
lack of Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FZ47 Vlogging info
Sony HX20V Vlogging info
27
fairly wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detect autofocus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
no mic port
heavier than others (498 grams)
34
decently wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detection autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than average in class (254 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
display isn't selfie friendly
lack of external mic socket
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Panasonic FZ47 vs Sony HX20V Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FZ47 and Sony HX20V
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ47Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V
General Information
Company Panasonic Sony
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ47 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V
Also called Lumix DMC-FZ48 -
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2011-07-21 2012-07-20
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Venus Engine FHD BIONZ
Sensor type CCD 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 12MP 18MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4000 x 3000 4896 x 3672
Highest native ISO 1600 12800
Highest boosted ISO 6400 -
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 23 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-600mm (24.0x) 25-500mm (20.0x)
Maximum aperture f/2.8-5.2 f/3.2-5.8
Macro focus distance 1cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 460 thousand dots 922 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display technology - XtraFine TruBlack TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 4.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 9.50 m 7.10 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/2000 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (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 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
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 498g (1.10 lbs) 254g (0.56 lbs)
Physical dimensions 120 x 80 x 92mm (4.7" x 3.1" x 3.6") 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 400 images 320 images
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - NP-BG1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 pictures)) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Card slots One One
Pricing at launch $379 $397