• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 20.4 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 1200.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600

Buy From

Differences

Sony HX300 advantages over Panasonic GX7

  • Less expensive
    $500 vs $1100 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • More pixels
    20.4 vs 16.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos

Panasonic GX7 advantages over Sony HX300

  • Larger sensor
    4/3 vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 3.77 vs 1.19 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Fast startup
    ~0.90 vs 2.4 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Thinner
    54 mm vs 103 mm
    Thinner
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Less shutter lag
    0.19 vs 0.38 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • 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
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 10 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 12800 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
  • Focus peaking
    Both provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • 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
  • 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

  • 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
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony HX300
Sony HX300
All HX300 Deals

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Panasonic GX7
Kit with 14-42mm Lens
  • Kit with 14-42mm Lens
  • Body Only
All GX7 Deals

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

  • Sharp retro design and solid build; High resolution, tiltable electronic viewfinder and LCD touchscreen monitor; Competitive still image quality; Very good video quality, recording Full HD at frame rates up to 60p; Fast autofocusing and all-around performance; Robust Wi-Fi and NFC capabilities, including remote shooting when paired with a smart device

  • Weak built-in flash; No external mic or headphone jack for video recording; Some poor results when shooting in Creative Panorama mode

  • Read our Panasonic GX7 Review

The Competition

Compared to 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

Panasonic GX7
Fujifilm SL1000
  • $648
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $650
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Slow-motion videos

Compare Panasonic GX7 vs Fujifilm SL1000

Compared to Samsung WB2200F

Sony HX300
Samsung WB2200F
  • $600
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $675
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Sony HX300 vs Samsung WB2200F

Panasonic GX7
Samsung WB2200F
  • $648
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $675
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Panasonic GX7 vs Samsung WB2200F

Compared to Olympus E-M10

Sony HX300
Olympus E-M10
  • $600
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More pixels
  • $399
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Sony HX300 vs Olympus E-M10

Panasonic GX7
Olympus E-M10
  • $648
  • 4/3
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Fast startup
  • $399
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Higher effective ISO

Compare Panasonic GX7 vs Olympus E-M10

Compared to 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

Panasonic GX7
Sony HX400V
  • $648
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $448
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in GPS
  • More pixels

Compare Panasonic GX7 vs Sony HX400V

Compared to Olympus E-M5 II

Sony HX300
Olympus E-M5 II
  • $600
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Internal flash
  • More pixels
  • $899
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor

Compare Sony HX300 vs Olympus E-M5 II

Panasonic GX7
Olympus E-M5 II
  • $648
  • 4/3
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Internal flash
  • $899
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • High resolution composite

Compare Panasonic GX7 vs Olympus E-M5 II

Compare Other Cameras?