• 1/2.4 inch 27.1mm2
  • 9.1 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 560.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.33 inch 28.2mm2
  • 14.1 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 224.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Sony DSC-HX1 advantages over Panasonic DMC-FH20

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 1.71 vs 1.42 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • 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
    560 mm vs 224 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 390 vs 300 shots
    Capture more photos
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Less shutter lag
    0.31 vs 0.66 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.0 fps vs 1.5 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/1600 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Panasonic DMC-FH20 advantages over Sony DSC-HX1

  • Less expensive
    $200 vs $499 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Fast startup
    ~1.70 vs 2.3 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Thinner
    27 mm vs 91 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    159g vs 515g
    Lighter weight
  • More pixels
    14.1 vs 9.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • 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)
  • Higher extended ISO
    6400 vs 3200 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
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.

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
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • RAW file ability
    Neither provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • 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
  • 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

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Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Nikon P90

Sony DSC-HX1
Nikon P90
  • $499
  • 1/2.4 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Manual focus
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More pixels

Compare Sony DSC-HX1 vs Nikon P90

Panasonic DMC-FH20
Nikon P90
  • $180
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Larger lens aperture

Compare Panasonic DMC-FH20 vs Nikon P90

Compared to Canon SX1 IS

Sony DSC-HX1
Canon SX1 IS
  • $499
  • 1/2.4 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Manual focus
  • $600
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • RAW file ability
  • Hot shoe

Compare Sony DSC-HX1 vs Canon SX1 IS

Panasonic DMC-FH20
Canon SX1 IS
  • $180
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Manual focus
  • $600
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic DMC-FH20 vs Canon SX1 IS

Compared to Panasonic DMC-ZR1

Sony DSC-HX1
Panasonic DMC-ZR1
  • $499
  • 1/2.4 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Larger lens aperture
  • $280
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner

Compare Sony DSC-HX1 vs Panasonic DMC-ZR1

Panasonic DMC-FH20
Panasonic DMC-ZR1
  • $180
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More pixels
  • $280
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Wider angle lens
  • Faster JPEG shooting

Compare Panasonic DMC-FH20 vs Panasonic DMC-ZR1

Compared to Panasonic DMC-ZR3

Sony DSC-HX1
Panasonic DMC-ZR3
  • $499
  • 1/2.4 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Bigger pixels
  • $236
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup

Compare Sony DSC-HX1 vs Panasonic DMC-ZR3

Panasonic DMC-FH20
Panasonic DMC-ZR3
  • $180
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
  • $236
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • HDMI out
  • Less shutter lag

Compare Panasonic DMC-FH20 vs Panasonic DMC-ZR3

Compared to Nikon P100

Sony DSC-HX1
Nikon P100
  • $499
  • 1/2.4 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Longer exposure
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Sony DSC-HX1 vs Nikon P100

Panasonic DMC-FH20
Nikon P100
  • $180
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic DMC-FH20 vs Nikon P100

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