Panasonic ZS70 vs Sony HX400V: Battle of Compact Superzooms for Photography Enthusiasts

Choosing the right superzoom camera can be daunting given the multitude of features and specs manufacturers cram into these pocket-sized powerhouses. Today I’m putting two widely respected models head-to-head: the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS70 (also known as Lumix TZ90) and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX400V. Both are small sensor superzoom cameras targeted at advanced amateurs and travelers craving massive focal range versatility without changing lenses.

I’ve personally tested both extensively across various photography disciplines, from portraits and landscapes to wildlife and video. This comprehensive comparison draws on hands-on experience, technical analysis, and real-world performance, aiming to help you decide which camera matches your needs, shooting style, and budget.

First Impressions: Design, Ergonomics & Handling

At a glance, both cameras fit into the superzoom category but present contrasting design philosophies.

• Panasonic ZS70: Compact pocketable body (112 x 67 x 41 mm, 322g), designed for maximum portability. Controls are streamlined on a sleek surface with a 3-inch tilting touchscreen, easing operation on the move.

• Sony HX400V: Larger bridge-style “SLR-like” body (130 x 93 x 103 mm, 660g) with more pronounced grip, extensive physical controls, but lacking touchscreen. This heftier build gives it a more traditional DSLR feel.

When handling them, the ZS70 feels light and nimble - ideal for discreet street shooting or travel where space is tight. The HX400V’s grippier bulk offers better single-handed stability, especially with long telephoto ends, but less pocket-friendly.

The ZS70’s touchscreen combined with physical buttons strikes a good balance for quick adjustments and menu navigation. Sony’s HX400V relies on dials and buttons exclusively without a touchscreen, which some photographers prefer for tactile feedback but newcomers might find less intuitive.

Key takeaway: If you prioritize compactness and modern touchscreen operation, the Panasonic wins ergonomics. For those accustomed to bridge cameras with robust handling and direct controls, the Sony feels more substantial and camera-like.

Sensor and Image Quality: The Heart of the Cameras

Both cameras feature a 1/2.3" BSI-CMOS sensor with 20-megapixel resolution (5184x3888 pixels). This sensor size is standard in superzooms, balancing compactness with decent image quality but not rivaling larger APS-C or full-frame sensors.

Image Quality:

• Panasonic ZS70 maxes out at ISO 3200 native (expandable to 6400). It supports RAW shooting for enhanced post-processing flexibility, a boon for enthusiasts wanting maximum control over image outcome.

• Sony HX400V pushes native ISO higher to 12800 but does not support RAW, restricting post-processing potential. JPEGs straight out of the camera rely on Sony's advanced Bionz X processor for noise management.

In real-world shooting, I found the ZS70 produces slightly cleaner images at base ISO levels with more detail retention - likely thanks to newer sensor and Venus Engine processor advancements. Sony’s higher ISO capability offers more latitude in low light, but images become noticeably noisier and less detailed beyond ISO 1600.

Dynamic Range & Color:

Both cameras use anti-aliasing filters which slightly soften sharpness but prevent moiré artifacts. Color rendition is quite natural on each, with Panasonic leaning towards warm tones, delivering pleasing skin colors for portraits, whereas Sony’s output is a bit neutral and sharper looking.

For landscape photographers demanding the broadest tonal range, both struggle slightly given the small sensor size, but Panasonic's RAW support aids recovering shadows and highlights better.

Autofocus and Shooting Performance: Speed, Accuracy, and Tracking

Autofocus capabilities profoundly impact usability across genres such as wildlife and sports photography.

Panasonic’s higher number of AF points means finer-grained focusing area control. Its contrast-based AF with touch-to-focus and face detection is responsive and precise, especially useful for portraits and street photography.

Sony’s AF is reliable but slower, with fewer focus points making tracking moving subjects - such as wildlife or sports - less precise. Continuous AF on the HX400V is not quite as smooth or consistent during burst shooting compared to Panasonic.

In practice:

• For wildlife and sports, the ZS70’s faster and more accurate AF and higher fps at 10 frames per second improves capture probability significantly.

• For portrait photography, Panasonic’s touch AF and superior face detection lead to consistent eye-level sharpness and marvelous skin tone reproduction.

Lens and Zoom Capabilities: Reach vs Flexibility

The lens is a crucial consideration in superzoom cameras, dictating framing flexibility and optical quality.

Sony’s HX400V boasts an impressive 50x zoom range, stretching to 1200mm equivalent. That extra telephoto reach benefits wildlife and distant subjects greatly, allowing tight framing without cropping.

Panasonic offers a shorter 30x zoom but benefits from a wider max aperture of F3.3 at the wide end and a slightly faster aperture at telephoto, lending itself better to low light conditions.

Macro enthusiasts will appreciate the Sony’s 1cm minimum focus, closer than the Panasonic’s 3cm, enabling more detailed close-up compositions.

Both models feature optical image stabilization to mitigate blur from handshake, but Panasonic’s system felt marginally more effective during handheld telephoto or macro shots in my tests.

Display and Viewfinder: What You See Is What You Get

The electronic viewfinder and rear LCD are essential for composition and reviewing images, especially in bright environments.

Panasonic’s 3-inch 1040k-dot tilting touchscreen was one of the highlights for me. The touchscreen interface allowed intuitive focus point selection and menu navigation, a boon when shooting at unconventional angles - perfect for vloggers and creatives.

Sony’s HX400V features a similar-sized tilting 921k-dot LCD but lacks touchscreen capabilities. Its EVF resolution isn’t specified but offers 100% coverage with good magnification. I found the EVF on HX400V slightly laggier compared to Panasonic’s crisp, quick refresh rate EVF of 1,166k dots.

Summary: Panasonic wins for modern display technology and touchscreen versatility, benefiting travel and street photographers who often shoot under varied lighting and angles.

Video Features: 4K and Beyond

Video capabilities have become essential, especially for hybrid photo-video shooters.

Panasonic ZS70 clearly takes the lead here:

• 4K UHD video recording at 30 fps produces crisp, vibrant footage.
• 4K Photo mode lets you extract 8MP stills from videos - a creative tool for events or wildlife.
• Built-in optical stabilization smooths handheld video well.

Sony HX400V maxes out at Full HD 1080p, no touchscreen focus, and lacks 4K or 4K photo modes. It does provide a microphone input jack, appealing to videographers wanting external audio sources - a feature the Panasonic misses. However, Sony’s 1080p video performance remains strong, particularly at 60fps for smoother slow motion.

Battery Life and Storage Considerations

Battery endurance and storage flexibility are practical factors for field photographers.

• Panasonic ZS70 runs on a rechargeable battery pack offering around 380 shots per charge, per CIPA measures. This is generous for a compact camera, able to last a full day’s shooting with moderate video.

• Sony HX400V has a slightly shorter 300 shot battery life. Heavier use of zoom and video will reduce this further.

Both cameras have a single card slot supporting SD/SDHC/SDXC cards, but Sony’s preference for additional proprietary Memory Stick compatibility adds convenience for legacy typists but is less relevant today.

Connectivity and Extras: Wireless and GPS

Modern connectivity enhances sharing and workflow.

Sony’s inclusion of built-in GPS stands out for travel photographers who love geotagging. NFC support simplifies connecting to smartphones for image transfer.

Panasonic lacks GPS or NFC but features Wi-Fi for remote control via apps and wireless file sharing.

Build Quality and Weather Sealing

Neither camera offers environmental sealing. Both are not waterproof, dustproof, shockproof, or freezeproof, so treat them with care in harsh weather or extreme outdoor settings.

Panasonic’s compactness may encourage more casual use in varied conditions, but Sony’s heft gives it a more durable feel though no formal sealing certifications.

Price and Value Assessment

At time of comparison, both cameras retail around $450, competitively priced in the superzoom market.

• Panasonic ZS70 justifies its price with 4K video, RAW support, larger touchscreen, and advanced AF.
• Sony HX400V’s value lies in extreme telephoto reach, external mic input, and integrated GPS.

Real-World Performance Gallery

Looking through images taken with both cameras provides clear insights.

Panasonic ZS70 front Sony HX400V front Sony HX400V screen back

• Panasonic renders sharper details at base ISO, especially in controlled lighting.
• Sony impresses with its reach, capturing distant wildlife that Panasonic’s zoom cannot frame as tightly.
• Both produce pleasing color palettes, though Panasonic excels in portrait skin tones.
• In macro and close-up tests, Sony’s minimum focus distance offered finer subject engagement.

Overall Performance Ratings

Based on my evaluation metrics (ergonomics, image quality, autofocus, video, battery, and features):

• Panasonic ZS70 scores slightly higher overall for versatility and user experience.
• Sony HX400V is rated excellent for super telephoto reach and connectivity extras.

Strengths and Weaknesses in Major Photography Genres

Who Should Buy Which?

Choose the Panasonic ZS70 if you:

• Value a compact, lightweight design for travel and street photography.
• Want more creative control via RAW shooting and manual modes.
• Desire 4K video and easy touch-based operation.
• Shoot portraits needing accurate face/eye AF.
• Prefer modern connectivity (Wi-Fi) for quick sharing.
• Need effective image stabilization on the move.

Choose the Sony HX400V if you:

• Prioritize ultimate zoom reach to 1200mm for wildlife or sports at a distance.
• Require built-in GPS for geotagging your travel photos.
• Need an external microphone input for better audio in video recording.
• Don’t mind bulkier handling in exchange for DSLR-style robustness.
• Can compromise on RAW support for extensive zoom coverage.
• Want NFC-enabled wireless connectivity.

Final Word: Which Small Sensor Superzoom Camera Wins?

Both cameras target overlapping niches but carve distinct value propositions. The Panasonic ZS70 impresses with user-friendly operation, modern video capabilities, and image quality enhancements that benefit everyday shooting and travel. It’s my pick for enthusiasts seeking versatile usability and creative flexibility in a pocketable package.

The Sony HX400V remains a compelling choice for telephoto aficionados needing the extra reach and GPS tagging, especially those favoring traditional control layouts and external mic inputs in video.

Your ideal choice depends on your priorities: compact versatility and 4K on Panasonic versus far-reaching zoom and geotagging on Sony. I recommend hands-on testing if possible, to feel which handling style suits you best.

Thank you for trusting my extensive experience through thousands of hours with these cameras. Whatever your pick, these superzooms democratize reaching far and wide with commendable image quality and features previously reserved for bulkier gear.

Happy shooting!

If you want a quick recap of pros and cons:

For more detailed specs and latest pricing please check manufacturer sites or trusted photo retailers.

Appendix: Summary Tables and Ratings

Camera Physical Comparison

Control Layout and Top View

Sensor Details

Rear LCD and EVF

Sample Image Gallery

Panasonic ZS70 front Sony HX400V front Sony HX400V screen back

Overall Scores

Genre-Specific Scores

If you have questions or need personalized advice, feel free to reach out - I’m here to help you navigate the exciting world of photography gear with experience and clarity.