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Panasonic FZ80 vs Sony HX30V

Portability
63
Imaging
44
Features
62
Overall
51
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ80 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V front
Portability
90
Imaging
42
Features
50
Overall
45

Panasonic FZ80 vs Sony HX30V Key Specs

Panasonic FZ80
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200 (Bump to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 20-1200mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 616g - 130 x 94 x 119mm
  • Launched January 2017
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-FZ82
Sony HX30V
(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
  • Released February 2012
  • Replaced the Sony HX20V
  • Refreshed by Sony HX50V
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Panasonic FZ80 vs Sony HX30V Overview

Its time to take a closer look at the Panasonic FZ80 versus Sony HX30V, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by rivals Panasonic and Sony. The sensor resolution of the FZ80 (18MP) and the HX30V (18MP) is pretty comparable and they enjoy the exact same sensor size (1/2.3").

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The FZ80 was manufactured 4 years after the HX30V which is a fairly big gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both the cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic FZ80 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony HX30V being a Compact camera.

Before diving straight into a thorough comparison, below is a brief summary of how the FZ80 grades versus the HX30V for portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic FZ80 over the Sony HX30V

 FZ80 HX30V 
ReleasedJanuary 2017February 2012More modern by 60 months
Screen resolution1040k922kCrisper screen (+118k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Sony HX30V over the Panasonic FZ80

 HX30V FZ80 

Common features in the Panasonic FZ80 and Sony HX30V

 FZ80 HX30V 
Manual focus Very accurate focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen size
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen

Panasonic FZ80 vs Sony HX30V Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to carry around your camera, you will need to factor its weight and measurements. The Panasonic FZ80 enjoys external measurements of 130mm x 94mm x 119mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 4.7") with a weight of 616 grams (1.36 lbs) whilst 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).

Take a look at the Panasonic FZ80 versus Sony HX30V 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 vary dependant on the lens you choose at that moment. Below is the front view scale comparison of the FZ80 vs the HX30V.

Panasonic FZ80 vs Sony HX30V size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the FZ80 and HX30V is 63 and 90 respectively.

Panasonic FZ80 vs Sony HX30V top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FZ80 vs Sony HX30V Sensor Comparison

Often, it is difficult to picture the contrast in sensor sizes simply by seeing a spec sheet. The pic below may provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the FZ80 and HX30V.

Clearly, both the cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements and the same exact resolution so you should expect comparable quality of photographs however you really should consider the release date of the cameras into account. The newer FZ80 provides an edge with regard to sensor tech.

Panasonic FZ80 vs Sony HX30V sensor size comparison

Panasonic FZ80 vs Sony HX30V Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FZ80 vs Sony HX30V Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic FZ80
Portrait photography with Sony HX30V
58
has manual focus
decent sensor resolution (18 megapixels)
provides face detection autofocus
exports RAW files
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
45
has manual focus
resolution is good (18MP)
includes face detect autofocus
cannot use external flash
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FZ80 Street photography factors
Sony HX30V Street photography factors
54
image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW files
comes with touch focus
screen is fixed
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
heavier than average in class (616g)
61
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (254g)
screen is fixed
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FZ80 Sports photography advice
Sony HX30V Sports photography advice
57
great zoom range (20-1200mm 60.0 x zoom)
silent shooting (1/16,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (18 megapixels)
provides tracking autofocus
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
49
amazing zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (18 megapixels)
includes tracking focus
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FZ80 Travel photography highlights
Sony HX30V Travel photography highlights
59
comes with touch focus
decent sensor resolution (18MP)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (20mm)
long zoom (1200mm)
heavier than average in class (616g)
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
69
lighter than average in class (254 grams)
resolution is good (18 megapixels)
flash built-in
decently wide (25mm)
very long zoom (500mm)
missing Timelapse recording
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.2)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FZ80 Landscape photography details
Sony HX30V Landscape photography details
57
has manual focus
reasonably wide (20mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (18 megapixels)
exports RAW files
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
50
has manual focus
decently wide (25mm)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (18 megapixels)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.2)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
missing Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FZ80 Vlogging details
Sony HX30V Vlogging details
28
reasonably wide (20mm)
touch screen
image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detection autofocus
video resolution high (3840 x 2160 resolution)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen isn't selfie friendly
missing external mic socket
heavier than average in class (616 grams)
34
decently wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detect autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than average in class (254 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.2)
display isn't selfie friendly
missing microphone support
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Panasonic FZ80 vs Sony HX30V Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FZ80 and Sony HX30V
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ80Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V
General Information
Company Panasonic Sony
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ80 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V
Otherwise known as Lumix DMC-FZ82 -
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2017-01-04 2012-02-28
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Venus Engine BIONZ
Sensor type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 18MP 18MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4896 x 3672 4896 x 3672
Maximum native ISO 3200 12800
Maximum enhanced ISO 6400 -
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 49 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 20-1200mm (60.0x) 25-500mm (20.0x)
Maximal aperture f/2.8-5.9 f/3.2-5.8
Macro focus distance 1cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3" 3"
Display resolution 1,040 thousand dots 922 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display tech - XtraFine TruBlack TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 1,166 thousand dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.46x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Fastest quiet shutter speed 1/16000 seconds -
Continuous shutter rate 10.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 14.10 m (at Auto ISO) 7.10 m
Flash options Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off, Forced On, Forced On/Red-eye Reduction, Slow Sync, Slow Sync/Red-eye Reduction, 1st Curtain Sync, 2nd Curtain Sync Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 100 Mbps, MP4, H.264, AAC1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 28 Mbps, MP4, H.264, AAC 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 3840x2160 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, AVCHD MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In 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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 616 grams (1.36 lb) 254 grams (0.56 lb)
Dimensions 130 x 94 x 119mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 4.7") 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 330 shots 320 shots
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - NP-BG1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs, 3 images x 10 secs) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC card SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Card slots One One
Price at release $399 $420