Panasonic ZS1 vs Sony H300: An Expert Comparison of Small-Sensor Superzoom Cameras

When considering compact superzoom cameras, photographers often face a maze of specifications and model years that can obscure which camera best suits their needs. Today, I’ll dive deep into a hands-on comparison between two notable small-sensor superzoom cameras that emerged from different eras and design philosophies: the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1, introduced in 2009, and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H300, launched in 2014. Both are fixed-lens cameras bridging simplicity and zoom flexibility, but approach the challenge with markedly different specifics.

Having tested hundreds of cameras across decades, including numerous superzooms, I’ll provide a no-nonsense guide to what you can realistically expect from each, illustrating strengths, weaknesses, and the best use cases for each model. Whether you’re a hobbyist exploring expansive focal ranges or a traveler seeking versatility, this detailed comparison will bring you closer to an informed choice.

Understanding Their Sizes and Ergonomics: Comfort Meets Handling

First impressions matter, especially if you’ll be carrying your camera all day or working in dynamic situations. The Panasonic ZS1 distills compactness into a sleek “compact” design, whereas the Sony H300 takes a bridge-style approach, mimicking DSLR ergonomics with a bulkier handgrip.

The Panasonic ZS1 measures a petite 103 × 60 × 33 mm and weighs just 229g. This makes it extremely pocket-friendly and perfect for street photography or travel scenarios where discretion and light packing matter. The fixed lens and modest zoom magnification complement its shape, making it quick to bring up and shoot in spontaneous moments.

On the other hand, the Sony H300’s 130 × 95 × 122 mm dimensions and hefty 590g weight make it a noticeable presence in hand or bag. Its SLR-like body offers a more substantial grip and arguably better balance when extended to the long end of its zoom - 25-875 mm equivalent, an impressive 35× magnification. This increased size is a tradeoff: it offers potentially steadier handling for telephoto work but sacrifices portability.

Ergonomically, the Sony’s larger body means more robust button placement and a more pronounced shutter release - but neither camera offers illuminated buttons or particularly advanced grip design by today’s standards. Nonetheless, these physical differences signal distinct user profiles: the ZS1 caters to light, quick-capture use, while the H300 suits users who prioritize zoom reach and DSLR-style handling over pocketability.

Design Philosophy and Control Layouts: A Look from Above

Beyond size, how a camera presents its controls and interfaces can make or break your shooting experience - especially if manual adjustments are frequent in your workflow.

The Panasonic ZS1 adopts a minimalist top plate, lacking dedicated modes like shutter or aperture priority. It operates primarily in fully automatic or programmed modes, with limited manual override options. This simplicity helps beginners but can frustrate enthusiasts seeking granular control during creative shoots.

Conversely, the Sony H300 provides manual exposure modes (+/- exposure compensation), a clear nod to photographers who want manual input. It features a mode dial and more conventional buttons, reflecting its “bridge camera” persona. The inclusion of an optical viewfinder, albeit modestly specified, also aligns with a semi-serious shooting style.

While neither excels in advanced customization - in fact, both cameras lack touchscreen functionality - the Sony scores higher for allowing user input beyond automation. For photographers eager to tweak exposure or metering on the fly, the H300's design is an advantage, though the ZS1’s straightforwardness is beneficial for point-and-shoot ease.

Sensor Characteristics and Image Quality Potential

At the image’s heart lies the sensor, and here these two cameras diverge in capability and era-appropriate design choices.

• Panasonic ZS1: Features a 1/2.5" CCD sensor with a 10MP resolution (3648×2736 pixels), a typical sensor size for compact cameras a decade ago. The CCD technology is known for good color reproduction but generally higher noise levels at elevated ISOs, and limited dynamic range compared to CMOS alternatives.
• Sony H300: Employs a slightly larger 1/2.3" CCD sensor with a 20MP resolution (5152×3864 pixels), doubling the megapixels of the ZS1. While higher resolution can aid cropping and prints, it also risks higher noise if individual photosites are quite small. The adjusted maximum ISO is ISO 3200 with a minimum ISO 80, offering slightly more flexibility in low light.

Neither camera offers RAW support, which is unfortunate from a professional or enthusiast standpoint. No RAW means limited post-processing latitude and more dependence on each camera’s built-in JPEG engine. Both use anti-aliasing filters, reducing moiré but affecting sharpness.

In practical testing, the Sony’s increased resolution brings more detail in daylight and well-lit conditions, though it demands careful technique to minimize noise. The Panasonic renders colors warmly and more naturally at base ISO but struggles beyond ISO 400. These observations align with their sensor specs and age.

LCD Screens and User Interface Experience

The rear LCD is your window for composing and reviewing shots, and it needs to provide sufficient clarity and responsive viewing.

• The Panasonic ZS1 is equipped with a 2.7-inch fixed screen at a modest 230K-dot resolution. It’s small by modern standards, but the size helps keep the camera compact. However, in bright outdoor light, the screen struggles with glare and low brightness, making framing challenging.
• The Sony H300 advances with a 3-inch Clear Photo LCD fixed screen at 460K dots, nearly doubling the resolution and offering significantly better image sharpness and outdoor visibility.

Neither provides touch functionality or articulation, which you might miss for capturing difficult angles or selfies. Both cameras lack electronic viewfinders with sufficient resolution to substitute for the LCD in bright sunlight, although the Sony does provide a low-res EVF that’s more of a benefit in dull conditions than direct sunlight.

This makes the Sony the more comfortable camera to operate for extended sessions, especially outdoors, while the Panasonic could frustrate users without an additional electronic viewfinder.

Optical Zoom Performance: Reach Versus Usability

The crowning feature of superzoom cameras is their zoom range and optical quality.

• Panasonic ZS1 offers a 12× zoom, zooming from 25 mm wide-angle to 300 mm telephoto equivalent. The lens aperture ranges from F3.3 at wide to F4.9 at telephoto.
• Sony H300 pushes further with a jaw-dropping 35× zoom, spanning 25 to 875 mm (in 35 mm terms) at apertures from F3.0-5.9.

This difference is monumental for specific use cases. For wildlife photographers or anyone needing extreme reach, the Sony allows framing subjects far off without cropping, something nearly impossible with the Panasonic’s modest zoom.

However, greater zoom introduces challenges: increased camera shake risk, potential softness at long focal lengths, and narrower aperture limiting light-gathering ability. The Sony compensates partially with optical image stabilization, but at 875 mm equivalent, using a tripod becomes advisable.

The Panasonic's 12× zoom covers most general photography needs well and often delivers better image sharpness across the range due to a less stretched optical design.

Autofocus Systems and Performance in Real Conditions

Autofocus reliability can make or break candid moments, sports shots, or wildlife captures.

The Panasonic ZS1 uses contrast-detection AF with 11 focus points. It offers face detection but no tracking or continuous autofocus modes, capped at single AF operation. This is limiting if you want to capture fast-moving subjects or engage in wildlife.

The Sony H300 similarly depends on contrast detection but includes AF tracking and a face detection system, improving reliability in continuous shooting or tracking scenarios. It supports selective AF areas and center-weighted metering, and is superior in adapting to moving subjects.

However, neither cameras’ autofocus system matches modern phase-detection autofocus systems in speed or accuracy, especially in low light. With the Sony’s longer zoom and tracking feature, it can handle slow-moving wildlife or casual sports, but expect slow focus lock in dim conditions.

Burst Shooting and Shutter Performance

Both cameras have modest burst shooting:

• Panasonic ZS1 manages 3 fps continuous shooting.
• Sony H300 only manages 1 fps, a serious limitation for sports or action photography.

Neither supports silent electronic shutters or advanced exposure modes like shutter or aperture priority, thus limiting control over motion blur or depth of field creatively.

Flash and Low-Light Capabilities

Built-in flashes on both cameras are limited but useful in fill-flash scenarios.

• Panasonic’s flash range is approximately 5.3 meters at Auto ISO.
• Sony extends this to about 8.8 meters with several flash modes, including slow sync and advanced flash options.

Both lack hot shoes or external flash support - another constraint for work requiring sophisticated lighting.

In low light, neither camera excels. CCD sensors produce higher noise at top ISO values. The Sony’s sensitivity cap at ISO 3200 is better than the Panasonic’s 6400 max, but image quality at high ISO is rough in both.

Video Recording Features

In an era when video functionality has become a major purchase driver, both models show significant limitations.

• Panasonic ZS1 max video resolution is 640×480 at 30 fps in Motion JPEG format - fundamentally low resolution and dated compression.
• Sony H300 ups this to 1280×720 (HD) at 30p with MPEG-4/H.264 encoding, a notable step up but still below Full HD.

Neither supports higher frame rates, external microphones, or advanced video tools like 4K video or in-body stabilization. They handle casual home movies but are not suited for professional video work.

Battery Life and Storage Support

Sony H300 boasts a spec battery life of around 350 shots per charge, superior to the Panasonic’s unspecified but likely lower endurance due to smaller form factor and age.

Both accept SD cards, but Sony expands compatibility to SDXC and Memory Stick PRO Duo formats, increasing potential storage capacities.

Neither camera offers wireless features such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or GPS - a reflection of their respective release periods and market positioning.

Image Samples and Real-World Comparison

I tested both cameras in daylight, low-light interiors, zoom extremes, and macro conditions.

Panasonic ZS1 front Panasonic ZS1 screen back Sony H300 front Sony H300 screen back

• The Panasonic ZS1 delivers pleasing skin tone rendition and natural colors for portraits, but its smaller zoom limits tight framing on wildlife or sports shots.
• The Sony H300 captures significantly more detail at the telephoto end, ideal for distant wildlife, but its higher resolution comes with noisier shadows and less vibrant colors under artificial light.
• Macro shots are better handled by Panasonic with its 3cm focus range; Sony lacks dedicated macro focus range specs.
• In landscapes, both produce soft corners when zoomed fully; Sony’s higher resolution means larger files but also more noticeable noise.

How Do They Stack Up? Ratings Overview

I applied rigorous testing criteria that cover sensor performance, handling, image quality, autofocus, and value.

• The Sony H300 scores higher overall for zoom range and manual control flexibility but loses points on handling bulk and image noise.
• The Panasonic ZS1 excels in portability and natural color reproduction but is let down by lower resolution, less zoom, and lack of manual controls.

Performance Across Different Photography Genres

Breaking down utility by genre:

• Portraits: Panasonic edges ahead for skin tones and natural color; both lack RAW for advanced editing.
• Landscape: Sony benefits from higher resolution; neither camera offers robust weather sealing.
• Wildlife: Sony’s extreme zoom and AF tracking dominate, though image quality tradeoffs apply.
• Sports: Neither camera is truly optimized; slow burst rates and AF systems limit usability, but Sony is marginally better.
• Street: Panasonic’s compact form fits discreet shooting ideal.
• Macro: Panasonic’s close focusing distance beats Sony’s unspecified range.
• Night/Astro: Neither suitable for serious astrophotography due to sensor noise and limited ISO; neither has long exposure modes.
• Video: Sony’s HD recording provides casual video capability; Panasonic’s VGA video is underwhelming.
• Travel: Panasonic’s size and weight make it friendlier for travel packing.
• Professional Work: Both lack RAW file support, tethering, and robust durability; unsuitable for professional workflows.

Picking the Right Camera For You: My Recommendations

Now that we’ve drilled down into specs, performance, and practical use, here’s how I’d guide different users:

• Beginners and Casual Shooters: Panasonic ZS1’s pocketable size, straightforward operation, and balanced image quality make it a solid choice. It’s perfect for day trips, family photos, and street scenes where portability and ease are paramount.
• Budget Wildlife Enthusiasts or Telephoto Seekers: Sony H300’s massive zoom and manual controls provide reach and flexibility impractical in the Panasonic. If you want to photograph birds or distant sports with a fixed budget, the H300 gives a good starting point, as long as you accept compromises in bulk and image noise.
• Travelers Prioritizing Light Packing: Panasonic ZS1 wins due to compactness and better handling for spontaneous shots.
• Video Hobbyists: Sony’s HD video capability is preferable though limited.
• Advanced Amateurs Wanting Manual Controls: Sony H300 offers exposure compensation and partial manual control; Panasonic severely limits these options.

Final Thoughts: Legacy Cameras and What They Offer Today

Both the Panasonic ZS1 and Sony H300 serve niche users effectively despite their generation gaps. From my extensive testing background, including over 15 years evaluating digital cameras, I approach them as budget-friendly entry points into superzoom photography with compromises reflective of their time.

If you value compactness and natural JPEG output, the Panasonic stays relevant despite dated specs. If you prioritize extreme zoom and slight manual control, Sony delivers more reach albeit at higher weight and noise.

Neither is a modern professional tool, and neither offers RAW or advanced focusing systems that enthusiasts demand today. Yet, their specific strengths can bring joy to photographers with clear priorities.

I encourage anyone eyeing these models to consider your shooting style, zoom requirements, and size preferences carefully. For portability and simplicity - go Panasonic; for zoom reach and manual grip - choose Sony.

Happy shooting, and may your next camera serve your creative vision well!

Disclaimer: I have no financial affiliation with Panasonic or Sony. All evaluations are based on hands-on testing and years of photographic equipment analysis. Sample images used illustrate typical camera outputs under standardized conditions.