Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ2000 / FZ2500 vs Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 II — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Panasonic · Bridge · 20 MP · 1" · 4K video
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ2000 / FZ2500
63
WINNER
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Sony · Bridge · 20 MP · 1" · 4K video
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 II
59
SCORE
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ2000 / FZ2500 and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 II are both bridge cameras with a fixed zoom lens. Each pairs a 1-inch CMOS sensor with 20 megapixels, so pixel count and cropping room are the same. The FZ2000 arrived in 2016, a year after the 2015 RX10 II, and both use electronic viewfinders with around 2.36 million dots. The RX10 II is the more compact body, measuring 129 x 88 x 102 mm and weighing 813 g. The FZ2000 is larger at 138 x 102 x 135 mm and 915 g, a 102 g difference in Sony's favour. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2016 | 2015 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
September 19, 2016 | June 10, 2015 |
| Camera type |  Bridge | Bridge |
| Camera size | 138 x 102 x 135 mm | 129 x 88 x 102 mm |
| Camera weight | 915 g | 813 g |
| Optics | 62/100 | 64/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe FZ2000 is the better camera for shooting wide open in bright light. Its 1/4000 second top shutter is shorter than the RX10 II's 1/3200, so you keep apertures open in daylight. Panasonic also gives you 49 autofocus points against Sony's 25, spreading coverage across more of the frame. For burst shooting, the RX10 II has the faster maximum rate at 14 frames per second against 12, a margin worth having when a bird takes off. Both include in-body stabilisation, helping keep handheld frames steady at slower shutter settings. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
20 MP050 | 20 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
5472 x 3648 | 5472 x 3648 |
Sensor type ⓘThe camera sensor captures light and records the image. Sensors vary in physical size, the number of pixels, and quality. |
CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size ⓘThe sensor size contributes to the overall quality as well as the dynamic and tonal range a camera can capture. As a rule of thumb, the more surface there is to read the light, the more information it will capture. |
13.2 x 8.8 | 13.2 x 8.8 |
Sensor format ⓘRefers to the most commonly used sensor sizes. |
1" | 1" |
Continuous shooting ⓘThe number of sequential frames per second the camera can write to the memory card when shooting in burst or continuous mode. |
12 fps045 | 14 fps045 |
Lens mount ⓘThe lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras. |
Fixed | Fixed |
Image processor ⓘThe image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. |
Venus Engine | Bionz X |
Aspect ratio ⓘThe aspect ratio refers to the proportional difference between width and height. The most popular aspect ratios are 3:2 and 4:3. |
 3:2 | 3:2 |
Min ISO ⓘRefers to the lowest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Lower ISO are less sensitive to light but make a cleaner image. |
12530200 | 10030200 |
Max ISO ⓘRefers to the highest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Higher ISO is necessary for low-light situations or night photography, but higher ISOs often introduce grain or noise. |
128003003280000 | 128003003280000 |
Min ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
8030200 | 6430200 |
Max ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
256003003280000 | 256003003280000 |
Minimum shutter speed ⓘThe minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. |
6044080 | 3044080 |
Max shutter speed ⓘThe maximum shutter speed tells you the length inside 1 second the camera will capture. These can sometimes be extended with accessories such as extra external batteries. |
400080032000 | 320080032000 |
Autofocus points ⓘAutofocus points show where the camera is focusing graphically as squares or brackets in Live View or on an electronic viewfinder. These points are also used for light meter readings. |
490300 | 250300 |
In-body stabilisation ⓘIn-body Stabilization means the camera has a certain technology embedded that counteracts camera shake. |
 Yes | Yes |
Viewfinder type ⓘThe viewfinder type is either electronic or optical. Electronic viewfinders will have a small screen in the viewfinder. Optical viewfinders will use prisms and mirrors to look through the lens. |
Electronic | Electronic |
| Viewfinder dots | 236000009900000 | 235929609900000 |
| Video | 69/100 | 77/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoThe RX10 II is the clear choice for slow motion, supporting frame rates up to 120 fps, twice the FZ2000's maximum of 60 fps. That extra speed lets you slow fast action further in editing. Both record at up to 4K resolution, so standard footage needs no compromise. Sony also offers the broader format set, adding XAVC S and MOV to the MPEG-4 and AVCHD the FZ2000 records. | ||
Video ⓘIndicates if this camera is capable of recording video. |
 Yes | Yes |
Max video resolution ⓘThe best resolution this camera can capture video in. Modern cameras can capture up to 8K video. |
 4K | 4K |
Max video format ⓘVideo resolution measured by the greatest number of pixels possible in each frame, width by height. A higher resolution means more detail or clarity in your video. |
4096 x 2160 | 3840 x 2160 |
Max video frame rate ⓘHow many frames per second your video will capture. Most cameras have options for multiple frame rates, depending on the resolution you shoot in. For a general video, 24p or 30p is the standard, but more serious filmmakers may need a higher frame rate for creative effect. |
60 fps | 120 fps |
Timelapse built in ⓘA built in time-lapse mode will allow continuous shooting throughout a prolonged period of time to be compressed into a sped up video. |
✗ | ✗ |
Video file format ⓘDifferent cameras can record in various video file formats. The File format you record in can impact how you edit and use the files. |
MPEG-4, AVCHD | MPEG-4, MOV, AVCHD, XAVC S |
| Features | 70/100 | 57/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe FZ2000 is the better camera for vlogging and self-framed shooting, because its 3-inch LCD flips out and responds to touch. The RX10 II's screen sits fixed, without touch control, but its WhiteMagic LCD is the sharper display, with 1,228,800 dots against Panasonic's 1,040,000. Both offer Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for wireless transfer and remote control, plus a built-in flash and support for an external flash. Neither includes GPS or weather sealing, so geotagging and weather protection must come from elsewhere. | ||
Builtin flash ⓘA built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. |
 Yes | Yes |
External flash ⓘExternal flashes are often connected through a hot shoe at the top of a camera, or a cable at the side of the camera. |
 Yes | Yes |
GPS ⓘGPS features in a camera will include location metadata to each of your photographs. |
✗ | ✗ |
Weather sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Screen type | LCD | WhiteMagic LCD |
Touch screen ⓘTouchscreen allows you to change camera settings and access menus with a swipe of your finger, instead of using buttons. |
 Yes | No |
| Screen size | 3" | 3" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
10400001150001500000 | 12288001150001500000 |
Flip screen ⓘA flip screen (or articulating screen) is a second screen which can flip out from the side or top of the camera. This rotating screen allows you more freedom to take photos at different angles. |
 Yes | No |
Live view ⓘLive View feature allows you to see a continuous live video of what is being seen through your lens. |
 Yes | Yes |
Wi-Fi ⓘBuilt-in Wi-Fi allows you to connect your camera and share images wirelessly. |
 Yes | Yes |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
 Yes | Yes |
| Storage & battery | 35/100 | 24/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe RX10 II has the longer rated battery life, at 400 shots against 350 for the FZ2000, giving Sony the stronger rated stamina. The RX10 II accepts Memory Stick Duo, Pro Duo and Pro-HG Duo media alongside SD, SDHC and SDXC cards, while the FZ2000 takes the SD family only. The FZ2000 supports USB charging, so you can top it up from a power bank between shoots. Both have a single card slot. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC | SD / SDHC / SDXC, Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo / Pro-HG Duo |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | DMW-BLC12 | NP-FW50 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
350 shots1505000 | 400 shots1505000 |
| USB charging |  Yes | No |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
For slow-motion video, buy the RX10 II. Its 120 fps slow motion, longer rated battery life and broader video formats suit a video-first shooter. For hand-held stills and framing flexibility, the FZ2000 is the better buy. Its flip-out touch screen handles high and low angles, and the shorter 1/4000 second top shutter keeps apertures open in daylight.
For a travel all-rounder, the shared 20-megapixel resolution, 1-inch sensor format and stabilisation keep cropping room and handheld support even, so the screen and slow-motion choices settle the rest.