Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS60 / TZ80 vs Sony Cyber-shot DSC HX99 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Panasonic · Compact · 18 MP · 1/2.3” · 4K video
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS60 / TZ80
44
SCORE
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Sony · Compact · 18 MP · 1/2.3” · 4K video
Sony Cyber-shot DSC HX99
49
WINNER
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Sony Cyber-shot DSC HX99 is the smaller and lighter camera against the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS60 / TZ80, measuring 102 x 58 x 36 mm and weighing 242 g. The ZS60 measures 112 x 64 x 38 mm and weighs 282 g. The HX99 arrived in 2018, two years after the ZS60, and both are compact cameras. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2016 | 2018 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
January 6, 2016 | September 1, 2018 |
| Camera type |  Compact | Compact |
| Camera size | 112 x 64 x 38 mm | 102 x 58 x 36 mm |
| Camera weight | 282 g | 242 g |
| Optics | 41/100 | 51/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe ZS60 is the stronger choice for photographing fast action, capturing bursts at 40 fps while the HX99 shoots at 10 fps. Its 49 autofocus points, against 9 on the HX99, give you many more placement options for off-centre subjects such as a bird on a branch. Away from speed, both share 18 MP resolution and a 1/2.3-inch CMOS sensor format, so your files offer equal room to crop a distant subject. One difference favours the Sony. Its electronic viewfinder shows 2359296 dots against 1166000 on the Panasonic, a finer view for composing at long zoom. The HX99 also reaches a higher expanded ISO of 12800 versus 6400, and both offer in-body stabilisation for handheld shooting. Both have fixed lenses, so there is no lens system to buy into. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
18 MP050 | 18 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
4896 x 3672 | 4896 x 3672 |
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. |
6.17 x 4.55 | 6.17 x 4.55 |
Sensor format ⓘRefers to the most commonly used sensor sizes. |
 1/2.3” | 1/2.3” |
Continuous shooting ⓘThe number of sequential frames per second the camera can write to the memory card when shooting in burst or continuous mode. |
40 fps045 | 10 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. |
 4:3 | 4:3 |
Min ISO ⓘRefers to the lowest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Lower ISO are less sensitive to light but make a cleaner image. |
8030200 | 8030200 |
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. |
32003003280000 | 32003003280000 |
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 | 8030200 |
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. |
64003003280000 | 128003003280000 |
Minimum shutter speed ⓘThe minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. |
444080 | 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. |
200080032000 | 200080032000 |
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 | 90300 |
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 | 116600009900000 | 235929609900000 |
| Video | 83/100 | 69/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoBuilt-in timelapse recording gives the ZS60 an edge for travel video, capturing clouds over a coastline or a sunset without a separate intervalometer. The HX99 has no built-in timelapse. Beyond that difference, both record 4K video and both reach a 60 fps maximum frame rate, so the core recording limits match. The HX99 records in XAVC S alongside AVCHD, while the Panasonic offers MPEG-4 and AVCHD, a choice that matters for matching your editing workflow. | ||
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. |
3840 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 | 60 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. |
 Yes | No |
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 | AVCHD, XAVC S |
| Features | 57/100 | 52/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe HX99's flip screen is its best practical extra, letting you tilt the 3-inch display for overhead crowd shots or vlogging. The ZS60's screen stays fixed, but it offers more detailed playback and menu viewing with 1040000 dots against 638400 on the Sony. Both cameras have the controls most travellers use, with touch-sensitive screens, Wi-Fi for transferring photos to a phone, and a built-in flash. Neither offers GPS tagging or weather sealing, so location data will need to come from your phone. | ||
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. |
✗ | ✗ |
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 | TFT LCD |
Touch screen ⓘTouchscreen allows you to change camera settings and access menus with a swipe of your finger, instead of using buttons. |
 Yes | Yes |
| Screen size | 3" | 3" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
10400001150001500000 | 6384001150001500000 |
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. |
No |  Yes |
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. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Storage & battery | 21/100 | 21/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe HX99 holds the higher rated battery life, at 370 shots against 320 on the ZS60 under their respective test conditions. Both use a single card slot, and neither supports USB charging, so pack a spare battery. Both cameras take SD, SDHC and SDXC cards, and the Sony additionally accepts Memory Stick Duo media, useful if you already own Sony cards. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC | SD / SDHC / SDXC, Memory Stick Duo |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | Lithium-ion | NP-BX1 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
320 shots1505000 | 370 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS60 / TZ80 if your pictures move. Its 40 fps burst and 49 autofocus points make it the clear pick for birds in flight, running children and sports, and its built-in timelapse adds a creative option.
Choose the Sony Cyber-shot DSC HX99 for everyday carry, with the finer electronic viewfinder, the flip screen for overhead shots and vlogging, and the higher battery rating. Both offer 18 MP resolution, 4K video recording and in-body stabilisation, so the choice rests on speed versus size, screen and endurance.