Clicky

Panasonic ZS50 vs Sony A300

Portability
90
Imaging
37
Features
57
Overall
45
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS50 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A300 front
Portability
64
Imaging
50
Features
45
Overall
48

Panasonic ZS50 vs Sony A300 Key Specs

Panasonic ZS50
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 243g - 111 x 65 x 34mm
  • Announced January 2015
  • Other Name is Lumix DMC-TZ70
  • Superseded the Panasonic ZS45
  • New Model is Panasonic ZS60
Sony A300
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 632g - 131 x 99 x 75mm
  • Launched January 2008
  • Later Model is Sony A330
Peek Behind the Lens of 'Photographer' and Their Go-To Cameras

Panasonic ZS50 vs Sony A300 Overview

Let's look closer at the Panasonic ZS50 and Sony A300, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by competitors Panasonic and Sony. The resolution of the ZS50 (12MP) and the A300 (10MP) is fairly close but the ZS50 (1/2.3") and A300 (APS-C) have totally different sensor measurements.

Apple patent reveals improved iPhone camera durability

The ZS50 was launched 7 years later than the A300 and that is a fairly big difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of the cameras have different body design with the Panasonic ZS50 being a Compact camera and the Sony A300 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before delving straight to a comprehensive comparison, here is a quick introduction of how the ZS50 scores versus the A300 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Europe Approves Revolutionary AI Legislation
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS50 over the Sony A300

 ZS50 A300 
LaunchedJanuary 2015January 2008Fresher by 85 months
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution1040k230kCrisper display (+810k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony A300 over the Panasonic ZS50

 A300 ZS50 
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display

Common features in the Panasonic ZS50 and Sony A300

 ZS50 A300 
Focus manually Very exact focusing
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch display No Touch display

Panasonic ZS50 vs Sony A300 Physical Comparison

If you're intending to carry your camera frequently, you will have to factor in its weight and measurements. The Panasonic ZS50 provides physical measurements of 111mm x 65mm x 34mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.3") along with a weight of 243 grams (0.54 lbs) while the Sony A300 has proportions of 131mm x 99mm x 75mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") and a weight of 632 grams (1.39 lbs).

Analyze the Panasonic ZS50 and Sony A300 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are using at that moment. Following is a front view measurement comparison of the ZS50 vs the A300.

Panasonic ZS50 vs Sony A300 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the ZS50 and A300 is 90 and 64 respectively.

Panasonic ZS50 vs Sony A300 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS50 vs Sony A300 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it's difficult to envision the contrast in sensor sizing purely by viewing technical specs. The graphic below might offer you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the ZS50 and A300.

As you can tell, the 2 cameras have different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The ZS50 because of its smaller sensor will make achieving shallower depth of field tougher and the Panasonic ZS50 will result in more detail utilizing its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will also make it easier to crop photos a bit more aggressively. The younger ZS50 is going to have an advantage when it comes to sensor tech.

Panasonic ZS50 vs Sony A300 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS50 vs Sony A300 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS50 vs Sony A300 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Google AI Gemini Could Enhance iPhone Experience, Talks Suggest

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS50 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony A300 as a Portrait photography camera
42
manual focus
offers face detection focusing
delivers RAW formats
cannot use external flash
low MP (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
60
you can focus manually
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
low resolution (10MP)
Fujifilm accuses Eastman Kodak of patent violation in new lawsuit

Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS50 Street photography information
Sony A300 Street photography information
68
built in image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW formats
lighter than others (243 grams)
no moving screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
74
screen tilts up and down
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
TikTok Developing Photo App to Challenge Instagram's Dominance

Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS50 Sports photography highlights
Sony A300 Sports photography highlights
43
amazing zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
offers tracking autofocus
low MP (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
55
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect AF
max frames per second low (3.0 fps)
low resolution (10 megapixels)
AI-Powered Photo Editing Tools Could Be Added to WhatsApp

Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS50 as a Travel photography camera
Sony A300 as a Travel photography camera
66
lighter than others (243 grams)
flash built-in
pretty wide (24mm)
very long reach (720mm)
low MP (12MP)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f3.3)
45
flash built-in
does not have Timelapse mode
low resolution (10 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
Leica struggles with L-Mount camera sales, tougher than Q or M

Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS50 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony A300 as a Landscape photography camera
51
manual focus
pretty wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW formats
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
57
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
small screen (2.7 inch)
low resolution (10 megapixels)
does not have Timelapse mode
Ulanzi's Tripod Ensures Ultra Smooth Filming

Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic ZS50
Vlogging with Sony A300
34
pretty wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than others (243 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
missing external microphone port
9
lack of video recording
Nikon Coolpix camera search on Google skyrockets by 8,500%

Panasonic ZS50 vs Sony A300 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS50 and Sony A300
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS50Sony Alpha DSLR-A300
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Sony
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS50 Sony Alpha DSLR-A300
Otherwise known as Lumix DMC-TZ70 -
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level DSLR
Announced 2015-01-06 2008-01-30
Body design Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.6 x 15.8mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 372.9mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 10 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 -
Peak resolution 4000 x 3000 3872 x 2592
Highest native ISO 6400 3200
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 23 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens zoom range 24-720mm (30.0x) -
Max aperture f/3.3-6.4 -
Macro focusing range 3cm -
Available lenses - 143
Crop factor 5.8 1.5
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Tilting
Display size 3 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of display 1,040 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder resolution 1,166 thousand dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100% 95%
Viewfinder magnification 0.46x 0.49x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter speed 10.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 6.40 m 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off Auto, Red-Eye, Slow, Red-Eye Slow, Rear curtain, wireless
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60p/60i/30p), 1280 x 720 (60p/30p), 640 x 480 (30p) -
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video data format MPEG-4, AVCHD -
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 243 grams (0.54 pounds) 632 grams (1.39 pounds)
Physical dimensions 111 x 65 x 34mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.3") 131 x 99 x 75mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 44 64
DXO Color Depth rating 20.0 22.5
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.2 11.4
DXO Low light rating 138 538
Other
Battery life 300 images -
Battery form Battery Pack -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal Compact Flash
Storage slots 1 1
Retail pricing $350 $0