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Panasonic LX3 vs Sony HX20V

Portability
91
Imaging
34
Features
40
Overall
36
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V front
Portability
90
Imaging
42
Features
50
Overall
45

Panasonic LX3 vs Sony HX20V Key Specs

Panasonic LX3
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/1.63" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-60mm (F2.0-2.8) lens
  • 265g - 109 x 60 x 27mm
  • Announced November 2008
  • Later Model is Panasonic LX5
Sony HX20V
(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
  • Announced July 2012
  • Superseded the Sony HX10V
  • Updated by Sony HX30V
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Panasonic LX3 vs Sony HX20V Overview

In this article, we are contrasting the Panasonic LX3 vs Sony HX20V, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by rivals Panasonic and Sony. There exists a sizeable gap among the sensor resolutions of the LX3 (10MP) and HX20V (18MP) and the LX3 (1/1.63") and HX20V (1/2.3") possess totally different sensor sizes.

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The LX3 was introduced 4 years earlier than the HX20V which is a fairly large gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before getting in to a in-depth comparison, below is a brief view of how the LX3 scores against the HX20V in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic LX3 over the Sony HX20V

 LX3 HX20V 

Reasons to pick Sony HX20V over the Panasonic LX3

 HX20V LX3 
AnnouncedJuly 2012November 2008Newer by 45 months
Display resolution922k460kCrisper display (+462k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic LX3 and Sony HX20V

 LX3 HX20V 
Manual focus Dial exact focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display dimensions
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly display Lacking Touch friendly display

Panasonic LX3 vs Sony HX20V Physical Comparison

When you are going to travel with your camera regularly, you have to factor in its weight and size. The Panasonic LX3 has exterior dimensions of 109mm x 60mm x 27mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.1") and a weight of 265 grams (0.58 lbs) while the Sony HX20V has specifications of 107mm x 62mm x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4") having a weight of 254 grams (0.56 lbs).

Analyze the Panasonic LX3 vs Sony HX20V in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you choose during that time. Following is the front view size comparison of the LX3 vs the HX20V.

Panasonic LX3 vs Sony HX20V size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the LX3 and HX20V is 91 and 90 respectively.

Panasonic LX3 vs Sony HX20V top view buttons comparison

Panasonic LX3 vs Sony HX20V Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is difficult to envision the difference in sensor dimensions merely by checking out specs. The image below will offer you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the LX3 and HX20V.

As you can plainly see, the 2 cameras offer different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The LX3 with its larger sensor will make achieving shallow depth of field less difficult and the Sony HX20V will show extra detail using its extra 8 Megapixels. Greater resolution will let you crop pics a little more aggressively. The more aged LX3 will be behind in sensor innovation.

Panasonic LX3 vs Sony HX20V sensor size comparison

Panasonic LX3 vs Sony HX20V Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic LX3 vs Sony HX20V Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic LX3
Portrait photography with Sony HX20V
40
has manual focus
supports RAW formats
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/1.63")
45
you can focus manually
megapixel count decent (18MP)
comes with face detect focusing
can't use external flash
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Panasonic LX3 as a Street photography camera
Sony HX20V as a Street photography camera
60
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW formats
fixed screen
very small sensor size (1/1.63")
heavier than competition in class (265 grams)
61
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors (254 grams)
no articulating screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic LX3 Sports photography advice
Sony HX20V Sports photography advice
27
has image stabilization (Optical)
slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
low megapixels (10MP)
very small sensor size (1/1.63")
does not have phase detect AF
49
amazing zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (18MP)
comes with tracking focus
no shutter priority mode
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic LX3
Travel photography with Sony HX20V
60
has built in flash
quite wide (24mm)
very good max aperture (f2.0)
does not have Time Lapse mode
heavier than competition in class (265 grams)
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
69
lighter than competitors (254 grams)
megapixel count decent (18MP)
has built in flash
rather wide (25mm)
very long reach (500mm)
no Time Lapse mode
does not offer selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic LX3
Landscape photography with Sony HX20V
52
has manual focus
quite wide (24mm)
very good max aperture (f2.0)
good sized screen (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW formats
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
low megapixels (10MP)
very small sensor size (1/1.63")
does not have Time Lapse mode
50
you can focus manually
rather wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (18 megapixels)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
no Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic LX3 Vlogging info
Sony HX20V Vlogging info
30
quite wide (24mm)
very good max aperture (f2.0)
has image stabilization (Optical)
display is not selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have external mic port
heavier than competition in class (265g)
34
rather wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detect focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competitors (254g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
no mic socket
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Panasonic LX3 vs Sony HX20V Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic LX3 and Sony HX20V
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Sony
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2008-11-04 2012-07-20
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - BIONZ
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/1.63" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 8.07 x 5.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 44.9mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixel 18 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 3648 x 2736 4896 x 3672
Maximum native ISO 6400 12800
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points - 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-60mm (2.5x) 25-500mm (20.0x)
Maximum aperture f/2.0-2.8 f/3.2-5.8
Macro focusing range 1cm 1cm
Crop factor 4.5 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 460k dots 922k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen technology - XtraFine TruBlack TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shutter rate 3.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 8.30 m 7.10 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (HD 24 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30fps), 320 x 240 (10fps) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format - 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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 265g (0.58 pounds) 254g (0.56 pounds)
Dimensions 109 x 60 x 27mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.1") 107 x 62 x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 39 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 19.6 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.8 not tested
DXO Low light rating 94 not tested
Other
Battery life - 320 images
Battery type - Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-BG1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Single Single
Price at release $449 $397