• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 20.4 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 1200.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1 inch 116.2mm2
  • 20.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 360.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Sony HX300 advantages over Panasonic ZS200

  • Larger lens aperture
    f/2.8 vs f/3.3
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • More telephoto lens reach
    1,200 mm vs 360 mm
    Capture objects farther away

Panasonic ZS200 advantages over Sony HX300

  • Larger sensor
    1 inch vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 2.41 vs 1.19 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Thinner
    45 mm vs 103 mm
    Thinner
  • Newer
    8 years vs 13 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Lighter weight
    340g vs 656g
    Lighter weight
  • Higher-res screen
    413k vs 307k pixels
    More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
  • Less shutter lag
    0.12 vs 0.38 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    139 vs 10 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 12800 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Focus peaking
    Both provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

Common Weaknesses

  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Hot shoe
    Neither provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony HX300

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Panasonic ZS200

Review Excerpt

  • Super-versatile 50x optical zoom lens helps you capture everything from wide-angle cityscapes to zoomed in portraits from what feels like a mile away; Still quite light and portable considering the powerful lens; Comfortable and ergonomic design; Full HD video recording at up to 60p, with good quality.

  • Relatively small, 1/2.3-inch CMOS sensor delivers average image quality that degrades quickly at high sensitivities; Images not as sharp or as bright at full telephoto as we had hoped; Slow camera to use overall.

The Competition

Compared to Fujifilm SL1000

Sony HX300
Fujifilm SL1000
  • $990
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • More pixels
  • $650
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • RAW file ability
Panasonic ZS200
Fujifilm SL1000
  • $648
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $650
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Tiltable Screen

Compared to Samsung WB2200F

Sony HX300
Samsung WB2200F
  • $990
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $675
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
Panasonic ZS200
Samsung WB2200F
  • $648
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $675
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Larger lens aperture

Compared to Fujifilm S9900W

Sony HX300
Fujifilm S9900W
  • $990
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Higher-res screen
  • $719
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
Panasonic ZS200
Fujifilm S9900W
  • $648
  • 1 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $719
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compared to Panasonic ZS100

Sony HX300
Panasonic ZS100
  • $990
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $498
  • 1 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
Panasonic ZS200
Panasonic ZS100
  • $648
  • 1 inch
  • Built-in Bluetooth
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $498
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Larger lens aperture

Compared to Sony RX100 VI

Sony HX300
Sony RX100 VI
  • $990
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $949
  • 1 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
Panasonic ZS200
Sony RX100 VI
  • $648
  • 1 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $949
  • 1 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Larger lens aperture
Compare Other Cameras?