• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 18.2 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 720.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1 inch 116.2mm2
  • 20.1 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 400.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Sony WX500 advantages over Panasonic FZ1000 II

  • Less expensive
    $348 vs $798
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • More telephoto lens reach
    720 mm vs 400 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Thinner
    35 mm vs 131 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    236g vs 808g
    Lighter weight
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos

Panasonic FZ1000 II advantages over Sony WX500

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    1 inch 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
    ~ 2.41 vs 1.26 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Larger lens aperture
    f/2.8 vs f/3.5
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Newer
    6 years vs 9 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • More dots on screen
    1240k vs 922k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
  • 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 JPEG shooting
    12.0 fps vs 10.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/2000 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

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • In-camera panoramas
    Both provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

Common Weaknesses

  • 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
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony WX500

Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Panasonic ZS40

Sony WX500
Panasonic ZS40
  • $348
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $380
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Panasonic FZ1000 II
Panasonic ZS40
  • $848
  • 1 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor
  • $380
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compared to Leica V-LUX (Typ 114)

Sony WX500
Leica V-LUX (Typ 114)
  • $348
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $899
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Panasonic FZ1000 II
Leica V-LUX (Typ 114)
  • $848
  • 1 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen
  • $899
  • 1 inch

Compared to Sony HX90V

Sony WX500
Sony HX90V
  • $348
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • $448
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Panasonic FZ1000 II
Sony HX90V
  • $848
  • 1 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $448
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • NFC

Compared to Sony HX80

Sony WX500
Sony HX80
  • $348
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • $368
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Panasonic FZ1000 II
Sony HX80
  • $848
  • 1 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
  • $368
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • NFC

Compared to Panasonic FZ2500

Sony WX500
Panasonic FZ2500
  • $348
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • NFC
  • $965
  • 1 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
Panasonic FZ1000 II
Panasonic FZ2500
  • $848
  • 1 inch
  • Built-in Bluetooth
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $965
  • 1 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Integrated ND filter
Compare Other Cameras?