• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 20.4 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 1200.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 18.1 megapixels
  • 20.00mm - 1200.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Sony HX300 advantages over Panasonic FZ80

  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Higher extended ISO
    12800 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Panasonic FZ80 advantages over Sony HX300

  • 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
  • Newer
    7 years vs 11 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Wider angle lens
    20 mm vs 24 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

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 Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • 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
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bulb shutter
    Neither provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

User reviews

Buy From

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
  • $600
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • More pixels
  • $650
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • RAW file ability
Panasonic FZ80
Fujifilm SL1000
  • $348
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $650
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Tiltable Screen

Compared to Fujifilm S1

Sony HX300
Fujifilm S1
  • $600
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More pixels
  • Faster shutter
  • $349
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • In-camera panoramas
Panasonic FZ80
Fujifilm S1
  • $348
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
  • $349
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Slower slow-motion

Compared to Samsung WB2200F

Sony HX300
Samsung WB2200F
  • $600
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $675
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
Panasonic FZ80
Samsung WB2200F
  • $348
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $675
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • NFC

Compared to Sony HX400V

Sony HX300
Sony HX400V
  • $600
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • $448
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
Panasonic FZ80
Sony HX400V
  • $348
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Less expensive
  • $448
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • NFC

Compared to Fujifilm S9800

Sony HX300
Fujifilm S9800
  • $600
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Higher-res screen
  • $504
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
Panasonic FZ80
Fujifilm S9800
  • $348
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
  • $504
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Longer stills battery life
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