• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 600.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 18.2 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 720.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Panasonic FZ150 advantages over Sony WX500

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 1.54 vs 1.26 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Larger lens aperture
    f/2.8 vs f/3.5
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    12.0 fps vs 10.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Sony WX500 advantages over Panasonic FZ150

  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • More telephoto lens reach
    720 mm vs 600 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Thinner
    35 mm vs 95 mm
    Thinner
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Lighter weight
    236g vs 553g
    Lighter weight
  • More dots on screen
    922k vs 460k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • More pixels
    18.2 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Higher extended ISO
    12800 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Tiltable Screen
    Both provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • 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

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Your purchases support this site

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony WX500

Review Excerpt

  • Excellent 24x zoom that starts at 25mm; Solid build; Articulating LCD; Improved sensor and image processing; 12 fps continuous mode; Full HD video at 60p.

  • Tends to blow out highlights; Tripod socket close to battery door; Incandescent white balance is a little warm.

The Competition

Compared to Canon SX1 IS

Panasonic FZ150
Canon SX1 IS
  • $498
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Manual focus
  • $600
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Faster shutter
Sony WX500
Canon SX1 IS
  • $348
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $600
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Panasonic DMC-FZ100

Panasonic FZ150
Panasonic DMC-FZ100
  • $498
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Shoots 1080p video
  • Slow-motion videos
  • $500
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • More pixels
  • Longer exposure
Sony WX500
Panasonic DMC-FZ100
  • $348
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $500
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Larger lens aperture

Compared to Leica V-LUX 2

Panasonic FZ150
Leica V-LUX 2
  • $498
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Shoots 1080p video
  • $850
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • More pixels
  • Longer exposure
Sony WX500
Leica V-LUX 2
  • $348
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $850
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Larger lens aperture

Compared to Sony HX90V

Panasonic FZ150
Sony HX90V
  • $498
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Larger lens aperture
  • $448
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • In-camera panoramas
Sony WX500
Sony HX90V
  • $348
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • $448
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Sony HX80

Panasonic FZ150
Sony HX80
  • $498
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Larger lens aperture
  • $368
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
Sony WX500
Sony HX80
  • $348
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • $368
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
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