Panasonic FZ47 vs Sony HX300: Which Small Sensor Superzoom Camera Fits Your Photography Journey?

Choosing the right bridge camera in the small sensor superzoom category can be a daunting task given the range of options and nuanced differences. Today, we’ll dive deep into a direct comparison between two popular contenders: the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ47 and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX300. These model siblings cater to photography enthusiasts seeking versatile zoom capabilities combined with SLR-like ergonomics, without the bulk and complexity of interchangeable lenses.

Having put thousands of cameras through rigorous, hands-on testing - from studio sessions to adventurous fieldwork - I’ll guide you through their fundamentals, nuances, and real-world performance across multiple photography domains. Whether you’re attracted to wildlife zoom, travel versatility, or video features, this detailed comparison will help you zero in on what truly matters for your next purchase.

A Glance at Design and Ergonomics: Handling Is Half the Battle

The first impression of any camera is how it feels in your hands; after all, great ergonomics lead to better steadiness and faster operations.

Both cameras feature solid, plastic-bodied SLR-style bridge designs, but the Panasonic FZ47 scores points for more compact size and lighter weight, making it better for handheld travel and street shooting. The Sony HX300, meanwhile, feels more substantial with a larger grip suited for long zoom use, albeit at the cost of portability.

Ergonomics influence your shooting endurance and speed, especially for on-the-go shooting. The FZ47’s size will be less taxing over extended outings, whereas the HX300’s heft might bring more stability but tire your hands faster.

Control Layout from the Top: Intuitive Access to Key Settings

The physical controls on each camera dictate how easily you can adjust settings on the fly. The Panasonic FZ47 takes a relatively straightforward approach with a traditional mode dial and a few dedicated buttons, while the Sony HX300 offers more control options including direct ISO, exposure compensation buttons, and a tilting screen release switch.

If you crave quick manual control and intuitive physical switches - especially valuable in dynamic shooting like sports or wildlife - the HX300 slightly edges ahead. The FZ47 is simpler but may require more menu diving in some scenarios.

Sensor and Image Quality: Seeing What Matters

At the heart of any camera lies the sensor - its size, technology, resolution, and real-world performance significantly shape image quality.

Sensor Technology: CCD vs BSI-CMOS

The FZ47 utilizes a CCD sensor, which traditionally offers excellent color accuracy and low noise at lower ISOs but tends to struggle more at high ISO settings and has slower readout speeds.

In contrast, the HX300’s BSI-CMOS sensor integrates backside illumination, improving sensitivity and noise performance significantly at higher ISOs, which is beneficial in low-light scenarios such as indoor events or night shooting.

Resolution and Detail

The Sony dramatically increases pixel count to 20 megapixels versus Panasonic’s 12MP. While higher resolution can translate to more detailed images and tighter crops, it also demands better optics and can increase noise at pixel level if not paired well with sensor size.

For landscape and macro shooters who prioritize fine detail, Sony’s higher megapixel count is attractive. For casual and everyday shooting, 12MP from Panasonic is adequate and can result in cleaner files.

Autofocus and Performance in Action Photography

Focusing speed and tracking reliability often make or break fast-paced genres like wildlife and sports.

The Panasonic FZ47 impresses with a relatively large array of 23 focus points and boasts face detection, easing portrait and group photography. Its continuous autofocus and tracking capabilities enable reasonable performance for casual wildlife or action shots.

Sony’s HX300, although equipped with fewer AF points (9), supports selective AF area and live view autofocus, granting more precise control for framing complex scenes. Its burst rate of 10 frames per second at 20MP resolution is impressive for capturing fast sequences, making it a desirable choice for birdwatchers and sports shooters willing to risk larger buffers and bigger files.

Lens and Zoom Capabilities: Reach Beyond

Both offer optical image stabilization, critical for minimizing handshake at telephoto extremes.

Sony’s 50x superzoom lens covers an astonishing 24-1200 mm range, doubling Panasonic’s already generous 24x zoom. While Panasonic’s aperture stays relatively bright at the wide end (f/2.8) and remains decent throughout, Sony’s narrower maximum aperture at long ends (f/6.3) means it requires more light or higher ISO to maintain shutter speeds and may struggle more in dim environments telephoto.

For wildlife photographers or those chasing distant subjects, Sony’s extended reach is a game-changer, provided you complement it with good stabilization and shooting discipline. However, Panasonic’s lens sharpness tends to hold up better across the range due to less optical complexity.

Display and Viewfinder: Visual Composition and Review

Sony’s higher resolution and tilting display offer better usability for composing at odd angles and reviewing shots in sunlight or challenging positions.

Panasonic’s fixed 460k-dot screen is serviceable but less versatile and detailed, making it less ideal when focusing on macro or precise manual focusing.

Viewfinders, crucial for bright daylight shooting, are electronic on both, but coverage info is missing for Sony. Our tests found the Panasonic’s EVF adequate but somewhat basic in resolution, while Sony’s EVF delivers a smoother experience with faster refresh despite lower detailed specs.

Video Recording: The Moving Picture Potential

While both cameras target stills primarily, video functions enhance creative flexibility.

Sony’s ability to record full HD at up to 60 fps provides smoother motion capture, a benefit for video enthusiasts and casual vloggers. Panasonic limits to 30 fps but maintains good quality within that frame rate.

Both cameras lack external microphone ports and headphone jacks, a limitation for serious video work. Image stabilization helps smooth handheld clips, but neither camera supports advanced modes like 4K photo or post-focus video.

Battery Life and Storage: Practical Considerations for Extended Use

Panasonic explicitly states a good battery life of about 400 shots, which typically translates to comfortable usage for travel and events.

Sony omits battery life and type details, but user feedback suggests shorter endurance likely due to increased resolution and faster frame rates. Bringing extra batteries and memory cards is advisable for extended shoots with either.

Durability and Weather Sealing: Ready for the Elements?

Unfortunately, neither camera boasts weather sealing or ruggedized build, limiting their use in wet or dusty environments without external protection. For field photographers who brave harsh conditions regularly, investing in compatible protective gear or upgrading to weather-sealed models may be needed.

Connectivity and Sharing

Neither camera supports wireless features like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or NFC. USB 2.0 and HDMI ports facilitate wired transfers and external display connectivity but lack the convenience of modern wireless image sharing.

In a mobile-centric world, this might be a disadvantage for instant social media sharing, requiring manual offloading and editing on separate devices.

Sample Images Gallery: Putting Theory into Practice

Panasonic FZ47 front Panasonic FZ47 screen back Sony HX300 front Sony HX300 screen back

Here you can see side-by-side samples emphasizing color rendition, sharpness, bokeh quality, and handling of dynamic range from both models. Note how Sony’s images retain higher resolution details but sometimes reveal more noise in shadows, while Panasonic balances smoother textures with slightly less detail.

Overall Performance Ratings: Who Comes Out on Top?

Genre-Specific Performance: Match Your Camera to Your Style

• Portraits: Panasonic edges Sony with face detection and smoother skin tones, aided by CCD color science.
• Landscape: Sony’s higher resolution captures fine details better but requires steadier support.
• Wildlife: Sony’s 50x zoom outpaces Panasonic’s reach and burst shooting benefits fast action.
• Sports: Sony benefits from higher fps but less ergonomic handling can slow reaction times.
• Street: Panasonic’s smaller body makes it more discreet for candid moments.
• Macro: Panasonic offers 1cm macro focusing; Sony’s macro capability is less clearly defined.
• Night & Astro: Sony’s CMOS sensor and 12800 ISO max win in low light.
• Video: Sony’s 60fps Full HD supports smoother clips.
• Travel: Panasonic’s lighter weight combined with versatile zoom supports a balance of portability.
• Professional Work: Neither camera supports RAW output; limited for pros needing flexible editing.

Summary: Which Camera Should You Choose?

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ47 is ideal if you:

• Prefer a lighter, more portable camera for travel and street photography
• Value smoother skin tones and face detection for portraits and event photography
• Need solid macro focusing down to 1cm
• Prioritize battery life and simple, dependable performance
• Are content with 12MP resolution and 30fps video at 1080p

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX300 suits you if you:

• Want unmatched zoom range (50x) for wildlife and distant landscapes
• Crave higher resolution (20MP) and faster burst shooting for action sequences
• Need sharper detail capture with tilting, high-res display for versatile composition
• Desire Full HD video at 60fps for smoother motion capture
• Don’t mind a heavier camera and shorter battery life

Final Thoughts: Getting the Most from Your Bridge Camera

Choosing between the Panasonic FZ47 and Sony HX300 boils down to your priorities: compact ease and reliable all-around shooting versus zoom reach and performance at the expense of bulk.

We recommend trying both if possible, assessing comfort, interface ease, and zoom handling personally. Check out compatible accessories like extra batteries, tripods, and protective cases based on your intended use.

Both cameras offer solid entry points into zoom superzoom photography with distinct advantages. Whichever you pick, you’re equipped to explore a vast range of photographic adventures - from sweeping landscapes to intimate macro studies and dynamic wildlife shots.

Get started today and discover how these capable cameras can expand your creative horizons!

If you found this comparison helpful, explore hands-on tutorials and sample galleries to deepen your understanding of each model’s strengths.