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Panasonic FZ47 vs Sony HX30V

Portability
68
Imaging
35
Features
45
Overall
39
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ47 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V front
Portability
90
Imaging
41
Features
50
Overall
44

Panasonic FZ47 vs Sony HX30V Key Specs

Panasonic FZ47
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • 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
  • Launched July 2011
  • Other Name is Lumix DMC-FZ48
Sony HX30V
(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
  • Revealed February 2012
  • Previous Model is Sony HX20V
  • Refreshed by Sony HX50V
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Panasonic FZ47 vs Sony HX30V Overview

On this page, we are analyzing the Panasonic FZ47 versus Sony HX30V, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by manufacturers Panasonic and Sony. There is a sizeable difference between the sensor resolutions of the FZ47 (12MP) and HX30V (18MP) but both cameras have the same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The FZ47 was announced 7 months before the HX30V which means that they are of a similar generation. Both of the cameras have different body design with the Panasonic FZ47 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony HX30V being a Compact camera.

Before we go right into a thorough comparison, here is a short view of how the FZ47 scores vs the HX30V with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FZ47 over the Sony HX30V

 FZ47 HX30V 

Reasons to pick Sony HX30V over the Panasonic FZ47

 HX30V FZ47 
RevealedFebruary 2012July 2011Newer by 7 months
Display resolution922k460kClearer display (+462k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic FZ47 and Sony HX30V

 FZ47 HX30V 
Focus manually Dial exact focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display sizing
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch display Missing Touch display

Panasonic FZ47 vs Sony HX30V Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to travel with your camera frequently, you're going to have to factor in its weight and measurements. The Panasonic FZ47 has outer measurements of 120mm x 80mm x 92mm (4.7" x 3.1" x 3.6") with a weight of 498 grams (1.10 lbs) and the Sony HX30V has proportions of 107mm x 62mm x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4") accompanied by a weight of 254 grams (0.56 lbs).

Compare the Panasonic FZ47 versus Sony HX30V in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you select at that moment. Underneath is a front view physical size comparison of the FZ47 and the HX30V.

Panasonic FZ47 vs Sony HX30V size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the FZ47 and HX30V is 68 and 90 respectively.

Panasonic FZ47 vs Sony HX30V top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FZ47 vs Sony HX30V Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is difficult to picture the gap between sensor dimensions merely by reading technical specs. The pic underneath may give you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the FZ47 and HX30V.

As you have seen, both of these cameras have the same sensor dimensions but different MP. You should expect to see the Sony HX30V to deliver greater detail with its extra 6 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop photos a bit more aggressively. The more aged FZ47 is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor innovation.

Panasonic FZ47 vs Sony HX30V sensor size comparison

Panasonic FZ47 vs Sony HX30V Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FZ47 vs Sony HX30V Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FZ47 Portrait photography highlights
Sony HX30V Portrait photography highlights
38
focusing manually
great flash sync speed (1/2,000 seconds)
provides face detection focus
can't use external flash
sensor resolution low (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
44
manual focus
MP count decent (18 megapixels)
provides face detection autofocus
cannot use external flash
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FZ47 Street photography features
Sony HX30V Street photography features
43
has image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
more heavy than average in class (498g)
61
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (254 grams)
fixed screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FZ47 Sports photography factors
Sony HX30V Sports photography factors
42
long zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
provides tracking autofocus
great battery (400 shots)
very slow continuous shooting (4.0 frames/s)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
49
great zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (18MP)
provides tracking autofocus
no shutter priority
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic FZ47
Travel photography with Sony HX30V
51
great battery (400 shots)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (25mm)
very long zoom (600mm)
lack of Timelapse recording
more heavy than average in class (498 grams)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
69
lighter than competition in class (254g)
MP count decent (18 megapixels)
flash built-in
rather wide (25mm)
very long zoom (500mm)
no Time Lapse function
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.2)
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FZ47 Landscape photography highlights
Sony HX30V Landscape photography highlights
43
focusing manually
reasonably wide (25mm)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
great battery (400 per charge)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
lack of Timelapse recording
50
manual focus
rather wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (18 megapixels)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.2)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
no Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic FZ47
Vlogging with Sony HX30V
27
reasonably wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detection focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
lack of external microphone port
more heavy than average in class (498g)
34
rather wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detection autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition in class (254 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.2)
screen isn't selfie friendly
no external mic support
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Panasonic FZ47 vs Sony HX30V Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FZ47 and Sony HX30V
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ47Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Sony
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ47 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V
Alternative name Lumix DMC-FZ48 -
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2011-07-21 2012-02-28
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
Peak resolution 4000 x 3000 4896 x 3672
Highest native ISO 1600 12800
Highest enhanced ISO 6400 -
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
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)
Maximal aperture f/2.8-5.2 f/3.2-5.8
Macro focus range 1cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 460 thousand dots 922 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen technology - XtraFine TruBlack TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Features
Min shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 4.0 frames per sec 10.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 9.50 m 7.10 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max 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 support
Headphone support
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
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 498 gr (1.10 lbs) 254 gr (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 Overall 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
Type of battery 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 Single Single
Launch pricing $379 $420