• 1/2.33 inch 28.2mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 120.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 18.2 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 720.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Panasonic XS1 advantages over Sony WX500

  • Larger lens aperture
    f/2.8 vs f/3.5
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • Thinner
    17 mm vs 35 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    103g vs 236g
    Lighter weight
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots

Sony WX500 advantages over Panasonic XS1

  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • 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 120 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 390 vs 290 shots
    Capture more photos
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More dots on screen
    922k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.0 fps vs 1.0 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

  • 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

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • RAW file ability
    Neither provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • 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
  • Manual focus
    Neither provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • 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
  • 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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Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Olympus VG-120

Panasonic XS1
Olympus VG-120
  • $130
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $121
  • 1/2.3 inch

Compare Panasonic XS1 vs Olympus VG-120

Sony WX500
Olympus VG-120
  • $348
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $121
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger lens aperture
  • Thinner

Compare Sony WX500 vs Olympus VG-120

Compared to Sony W610

Panasonic XS1
Sony W610
  • $130
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Longer exposure
  • $203
  • 1/2.3 inch

Compare Panasonic XS1 vs Sony W610

Sony WX500
Sony W610
  • $348
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $203
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger lens aperture
  • Thinner

Compare Sony WX500 vs Sony W610

Compared to Canon A2300

Panasonic XS1
Canon A2300
  • $130
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $93
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Panasonic XS1 vs Canon A2300

Sony WX500
Canon A2300
  • $348
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $93
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger lens aperture
  • Thinner

Compare Sony WX500 vs Canon A2300

Compared to Sony HX90V

Panasonic XS1
Sony HX90V
  • $130
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Larger lens aperture
  • Thinner
  • $448
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Panasonic XS1 vs Sony HX90V

Sony WX500
Sony HX90V
  • $348
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • $448
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Sony WX500 vs Sony HX90V

Compared to Sony HX80

Panasonic XS1
Sony HX80
  • $130
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Larger lens aperture
  • Thinner
  • $368
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Panasonic XS1 vs Sony HX80

Sony WX500
Sony HX80
  • $348
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • $368
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Sony WX500 vs Sony HX80

Compare Other Cameras?