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Panasonic ZS45 vs Sony HX7V

Portability
91
Imaging
41
Features
55
Overall
46
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS45 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX7V front
Portability
92
Imaging
39
Features
37
Overall
38

Panasonic ZS45 vs Sony HX7V Key Specs

Panasonic ZS45
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-480mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 249g - 108 x 60 x 32mm
  • Revealed January 2015
  • Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-TZ57
  • Succeeded the Panasonic ZS40
  • Renewed by Panasonic ZS50
Sony HX7V
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 208g - 102 x 58 x 29mm
  • Launched July 2011
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Panasonic ZS45 vs Sony HX7V Overview

In this write-up, we will be looking at the Panasonic ZS45 and Sony HX7V, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by companies Panasonic and Sony. The image resolution of the ZS45 (16MP) and the HX7V (16MP) is relatively similar and they use the same exact sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The ZS45 was introduced 3 years later than the HX7V and that is quite a big gap as far as tech is concerned. Each of the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before diving straight into a comprehensive comparison, below is a concise overview of how the ZS45 matches up against the HX7V in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS45 over the Sony HX7V

 ZS45 HX7V 
LaunchedJanuary 2015July 2011Fresher by 43 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution1040k921kClearer screen (+119k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony HX7V over the Panasonic ZS45

 HX7V ZS45 

Common features in the Panasonic ZS45 and Sony HX7V

 ZS45 HX7V 
Manual focus Lack of manual focusing
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen sizing
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch screen Lacking Touch screen

Panasonic ZS45 vs Sony HX7V Physical Comparison

When you are looking to carry your camera frequently, you have to factor its weight and size. The Panasonic ZS45 has external dimensions of 108mm x 60mm x 32mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.3") and a weight of 249 grams (0.55 lbs) and the Sony HX7V has specifications of 102mm x 58mm x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1") with a weight of 208 grams (0.46 lbs).

Check the Panasonic ZS45 and Sony HX7V in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are working with at that time. Here is the front view over all size comparison of the ZS45 versus the HX7V.

Panasonic ZS45 vs Sony HX7V size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the ZS45 and HX7V is 91 and 92 respectively.

Panasonic ZS45 vs Sony HX7V top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS45 vs Sony HX7V Sensor Comparison

Often, its hard to envision the difference between sensor sizing merely by reviewing specifications. The graphic here will help provide you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the ZS45 and HX7V.

Plainly, both cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing and the exact same MP therefore you should expect similar quality of photos but you might want to factor the release date of the products into consideration. The more modern ZS45 is going to have a benefit with regard to sensor tech.

Panasonic ZS45 vs Sony HX7V sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS45 vs Sony HX7V Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS45 vs Sony HX7V Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic ZS45
Portrait photography with Sony HX7V
37
megapixel count decent (16MP)
includes face detect focus
manual focus not available
can't use external flash
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
30
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
no manual control
external flash not possible
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic ZS45
Street photography with Sony HX7V
69
screen tilts
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors (249g)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
56
image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS45 Sports photography details
Sony HX7V Sports photography details
56
amazing zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
includes tracking focus
better than average battery life (350 shots)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
39
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
lack of shutter priority mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS45 as a Travel photography camera
Sony HX7V as a Travel photography camera
71
better than average battery life (350 per charge)
lighter than competitors (249 grams)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (24mm)
very long zoom (480mm)
lack of Timelapse function
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.3)
67
megapixel count decent (16MP)
has built in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
great zoom (250mm)
no Timelapse recording
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic ZS45
Landscape photography with Sony HX7V
48
reasonably wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
better than average battery life (350 shots)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
lack of Timelapse function
42
pretty wide (25mm)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
no manual control
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
no Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS45 Vlogging information
Sony HX7V Vlogging information
34
reasonably wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detect focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competitors (249g)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of microphone socket
32
pretty wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
screen isn't selfie friendly
no microphone jack
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Panasonic ZS45 vs Sony HX7V Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS45 and Sony HX7V
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS45Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX7V
General Information
Brand Panasonic Sony
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS45 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX7V
Also called Lumix DMC-TZ57 -
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2015-01-06 2011-07-19
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - BIONZ
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Lowest native ISO 100 125
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 21 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-480mm (20.0x) 25-250mm (10.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.3-6.4 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focus distance 3cm -
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Screen type Tilting Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 1,040k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen tech - XtraFine LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 4 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shutter speed 10.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 6.00 m 4.80 m
Flash settings Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 249g (0.55 lbs) 208g (0.46 lbs)
Dimensions 108 x 60 x 32mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.3") 102 x 58 x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1")
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 350 photographs -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model - NP-BG1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots One One
Launch price $300 $499