• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.2 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 384.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  •  

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Differences

Sony DSC-HX9V advantages over Panasonic G3

  • Less expensive
    $350 vs $700 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Thinner
    33 mm vs 46 mm
    Thinner
  • 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
  • Less shutter lag
    0.15 vs 0.29 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.0 fps vs 3.4 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)

Panasonic G3 advantages over Sony DSC-HX9V

  • Larger sensor
    4/3 vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 3.77 vs 1.34 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Fast startup
    ~1.40 vs 2.1 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/1600 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    6400 vs 3200 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
  • 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

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • 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
  • 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
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

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Buy the Panasonic G3

Review Excerpt

  • Excellent optical quality; High resolution; High-resolution Panorama mode; Good video quality; Good grip; Fast autofocus.

  • Sluggish user interface and Full HD video mode; Heavy noise suppression; GPS is sometimes slow to sync.

  • Read our Sony DSC-HX9V Express Review

The Competition

Compared to Panasonic ZS8

Sony DSC-HX9V
Panasonic ZS8
  • $329
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in GPS
  • Manual focus
  • $259
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup

Compare Sony DSC-HX9V vs Panasonic ZS8

Panasonic G3
Panasonic ZS8
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $259
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Panasonic G3 vs Panasonic ZS8

Compared to Olympus E-M5

Sony DSC-HX9V
Olympus E-M5
  • $329
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in GPS
  • Internal flash
  • $900
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Sony DSC-HX9V vs Olympus E-M5

Panasonic G3
Olympus E-M5
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Internal flash
  • More viewfinder magnification
  • $900
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Higher effective ISO

Compare Panasonic G3 vs Olympus E-M5

Compared to Sony HX10V

Sony DSC-HX9V
Sony HX10V
  • $329
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in GPS
  • Manual focus
  • $375
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Higher extended ISO

Compare Sony DSC-HX9V vs Sony HX10V

Panasonic G3
Sony HX10V
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $375
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Panasonic G3 vs Sony HX10V

Compared to Sony H90

Sony DSC-HX9V
Sony H90
  • $329
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in GPS
  • Manual focus
  • $223
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger JPEG buffer

Compare Sony DSC-HX9V vs Sony H90

Panasonic G3
Sony H90
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $223
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Panasonic G3 vs Sony H90

Compared to Panasonic GX7

Sony DSC-HX9V
Panasonic GX7
  • $329
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Built-in GPS
  • $648
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compare Sony DSC-HX9V vs Panasonic GX7

Panasonic G3
Panasonic GX7
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • $648
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Panasonic G3 vs Panasonic GX7

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