Clicky

Panasonic ZS50 vs Sony HX300

Portability
90
Imaging
37
Features
57
Overall
45
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS50 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX300 front
Portability
63
Imaging
44
Features
51
Overall
46

Panasonic ZS50 vs Sony HX300 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
  • Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-TZ70
  • Older Model is Panasonic ZS45
  • Replacement is Panasonic ZS60
Sony HX300
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 80 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-1200mm (F2.8-6.3) lens
  • 623g - 130 x 103 x 93mm
  • Launched February 2013
  • Old Model is Sony HX200V
  • Renewed by Sony HX400V
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Panasonic ZS50 vs Sony HX300 Overview

In this write-up, we will be evaluating the Panasonic ZS50 vs Sony HX300, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by competitors Panasonic and Sony. There is a huge difference between the sensor resolutions of the ZS50 (12MP) and HX300 (20MP) but they enjoy the same exact sensor measurements (1/2.3").

President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

The ZS50 was revealed 23 months after the HX300 which makes the cameras a generation away from each other. Both cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic ZS50 being a Compact camera and the Sony HX300 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before delving through a comprehensive comparison, below is a simple introduction of how the ZS50 matches up vs the HX300 for portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS50 over the Sony HX300

 ZS50 HX300 
LaunchedJanuary 2015February 2013More modern by 23 months
Screen resolution1040k921kSharper screen (+119k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony HX300 over the Panasonic ZS50

 HX300 ZS50 
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen

Common features in the Panasonic ZS50 and Sony HX300

 ZS50 HX300 
Manual focus Very exact focus
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen measurements
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch screen Lack of Touch screen

Panasonic ZS50 vs Sony HX300 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is going to carry around your camera, you'll have to factor in its weight and size. The Panasonic ZS50 comes with outer dimensions of 111mm x 65mm x 34mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.3") having a weight of 243 grams (0.54 lbs) and the Sony HX300 has specifications of 130mm x 103mm x 93mm (5.1" x 4.1" x 3.7") with a weight of 623 grams (1.37 lbs).

Take a look at the Panasonic ZS50 vs Sony HX300 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you choose at the time. Below is the front view dimension comparison of the ZS50 versus the HX300.

Panasonic ZS50 vs Sony HX300 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the ZS50 and HX300 is 90 and 63 respectively.

Panasonic ZS50 vs Sony HX300 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS50 vs Sony HX300 Sensor Comparison

Often, it's tough to picture the gap between sensor sizes simply by looking at specifications. The image underneath will give you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the ZS50 and HX300.

To sum up, each of the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit different resolution. You should count on the Sony HX300 to resolve greater detail because of its extra 8MP. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop pictures far more aggressively. The younger ZS50 should have an edge with regard to sensor technology.

Panasonic ZS50 vs Sony HX300 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS50 vs Sony HX300 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS50 vs Sony HX300 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS50 Portrait photography information
Sony HX300 Portrait photography information
42
you can focus manually
provides face detect autofocus
supports RAW files
can't use external flash
low resolution (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
42
you can focus manually
MP count good (20 megapixels)
cannot use external flash
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS50 Street photography info
Sony HX300 Street photography info
68
image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW files
lighter than average (243 grams)
fixed screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
50
tilting screen
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
heavier than others (623g)
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS50 Sports photography features
Sony HX300 Sports photography features
43
long zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
provides tracking focus
low resolution (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
55
great zoom range (24-1200mm 50.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (20MP)
provides tracking autofocus
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic ZS50
Travel photography with Sony HX300
66
lighter than average (243 grams)
has built in flash
relatively wide (24mm)
great zoom (720mm)
low resolution (12MP)
does not contain selfie friendly display
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
54
MP count good (20MP)
flash built-in
fairly wide (24mm)
great reach (1200mm)
lack of Time Lapse mode
heavier than others (623g)
display is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f2.8)
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS50 Landscape photography factors
Sony HX300 Landscape photography factors
51
you can focus manually
relatively wide (24mm)
good sized screen (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW files
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
low resolution (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
48
you can focus manually
fairly wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (20 megapixels)
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
lack of Time Lapse mode
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic ZS50
Vlogging with Sony HX300
34
relatively wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect autofocus
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than average (243g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
does not contain selfie friendly display
no microphone port
25
fairly wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
display is not selfie friendly
lack of external mic support
heavier than others (623 grams)
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Panasonic ZS50 vs Sony HX300 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS50 and Sony HX300
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS50Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX300
General Information
Company Panasonic Sony
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS50 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX300
Also Known as Lumix DMC-TZ70 -
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2015-01-06 2013-02-20
Physical type Compact SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.16 x 4.62mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.5mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 20 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 -
Highest Possible resolution 4000 x 3000 5184 x 3888
Maximum native ISO 6400 12800
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 23 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-720mm (30.0x) 24-1200mm (50.0x)
Max aperture f/3.3-6.4 f/2.8-6.3
Macro focusing range 3cm -
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Tilting
Display diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 1,040k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 1,166k dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.46x -
Features
Min shutter speed 4s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/2000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter rate 10.0 frames per sec 10.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 6.40 m -
Flash options Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off -
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60p/60i/30p), 1280 x 720 (60p/30p), 640 x 480 (30p) 1920 x 1080 (60, 50 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, AVCHD -
Mic support
Headphone support
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
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 243 gr (0.54 lb) 623 gr (1.37 lb)
Dimensions 111 x 65 x 34mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.3") 130 x 103 x 93mm (5.1" x 4.1" x 3.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 44 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 20.0 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.2 not tested
DXO Low light rating 138 not tested
Other
Battery life 300 images -
Form of battery Battery Pack -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) -
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal -
Card slots One One
Retail pricing $350 $339