• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  •  
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 20.4 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 1200.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Panasonic GF2 advantages over Sony HX300

  • Larger sensor
    4/3 vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.33 vs 1.19 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Fast startup
    ~1.00 vs 2.4 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Thinner
    32 mm vs 103 mm
    Thinner
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 10 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Sony HX300 advantages over Panasonic GF2

  • Less expensive
    $500 vs $700 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • More dots on screen
    922k vs 460k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • More pixels
    20.4 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.0 fps vs 2.6 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    12800 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • Tiltable Screen
    Both provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • 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

  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • 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
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bulb shutter
    Neither provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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Sony HX300
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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.

  • Read our Sony HX300 Express Review

The Competition

Compared to Panasonic GF3

Panasonic GF2
Panasonic GF3
  • $617
  • 4/3
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Fast startup
  • $675
  • 4/3
  • Touchscreen
  • Faster JPEG shooting

Compare Panasonic GF2 vs Panasonic GF3

Sony HX300
Panasonic GF3
  • $600
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $675
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Sony HX300 vs Panasonic GF3

Compared to Panasonic GF3X

Panasonic GF2
Panasonic GF3X
  • $617
  • 4/3
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $750
  • 4/3
  • Touchscreen
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Panasonic GF2 vs Panasonic GF3X

Sony HX300
Panasonic GF3X
  • $600
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $750
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Sony HX300 vs Panasonic GF3X

Compared to Panasonic GF5

Panasonic GF2
Panasonic GF5
  • $617
  • 4/3
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Fast startup
  • $450
  • 4/3
  • Touchscreen
  • Higher effective ISO

Compare Panasonic GF2 vs Panasonic GF5

Sony HX300
Panasonic GF5
  • $600
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $450
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Sony HX300 vs Panasonic GF5

Compared to Fujifilm SL1000

Panasonic GF2
Fujifilm SL1000
  • $617
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $650
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Panasonic GF2 vs 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

Compare Sony HX300 vs Fujifilm SL1000

Compared to Sony HX400V

Panasonic GF2
Sony HX400V
  • $617
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $448
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Panasonic GF2 vs 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

Compare Sony HX300 vs Sony HX400V

Compare Other Cameras?