Panasonic Lumix FZ300 / FZ330 vs Sony Cyber-shot DSC HX400V — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Panasonic · Bridge · 12 MP · 1/2.3” · 4K video
Panasonic Lumix FZ300 / FZ330
54
SCORE
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Sony · Bridge · 20 MP · 1/2.3” · Full HD video
Sony Cyber-shot DSC HX400V
59
WINNER
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Panasonic Lumix FZ300 / FZ330 and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC HX400V are both bridge cameras, pairing a fixed lens with an electronic viewfinder in one body. The Sony is the lighter, slimmer carry at 660 g and 130 x 93 x 103 mm, against 691 g and 132 x 92 x 117 mm for the Panasonic. The Panasonic arrived in 2015, a year after the Sony. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2015 | 2014 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
July 16, 2015 | December 2, 2014 |
| Camera type |  Bridge | Bridge |
| Camera size | 132 x 92 x 117 mm | 130 x 93 x 103 mm |
| Camera weight | 691 g | 660 g |
| Optics | 49/100 | 64/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe Sony is the stronger choice when you want more pixels to work with, offering 20 MP against the Panasonic's 12 MP on a shared 1/2.3" CMOS sensor format. That difference suits heavy cropping of distant wildlife. Both cameras have built-in image stabilisation, which helps keep handheld shooting steady on either body. The Panasonic is the better tool for action, shooting at 12 fps against the Sony's 10 fps. Its 1/16000 second top shutter, against 1/4000 on the Sony, gives shorter exposures for freezing motion at wide aperture in daylight. The Sony's electronic viewfinder shows more detail, with 2,359,296 dots against 1,440,000, and it offers 9 autofocus points against the Panasonic's 1. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
12 MP050 | 20 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
4000 x 3000 | 5184 x 3888 |
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. |
12 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. |
10030200 | 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. |
64003003280000 | 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. |
10030200 | 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. |
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. |
1600080032000 | 400080032000 |
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. |
10300 | 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 | 144000009900000 | 235929609900000 |
| Video | 69/100 | 56/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoThe Panasonic is the clear choice for anyone editing 4K footage, recording 4K video while the Sony tops out at Full HD. That headroom lets you crop or reframe a clip while keeping a Full HD result. The two cameras match at a 60 fps maximum video frame rate, and both record in MPEG-4 and AVCHD formats. | ||
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 |  Full HD |
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 | 1920 x 1080 |
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. |
✗ | ✗ |
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, AVCHD |
| Features | 70/100 | 54/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe Sony is the better-connected travel camera, offering both GPS and Wi-Fi, so you can geotag photos and transfer them wirelessly. The Panasonic has neither. The Panasonic instead offers weather sealing, which the Sony lacks, a real advantage for shooting in rain or sea spray. Its rear LCD also resolves finer detail at 1,040,000 dots against 921,600. Both screens are 3-inch LCDs with touch control and flipping articulation, so low-angle and selfie framing work on either camera. Each camera has a built-in flash and supports an external flash. | ||
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. |
No |  Yes |
Weather sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |
 Yes | No |
| Screen type | LCD | 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 | 9216001150001500000 |
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 | 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. |
No |  Yes |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Storage & battery | 35/100 | 29/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe Panasonic holds the advantage for a longer day out, rated for 380 shots against the Sony's 300 on a single charge. Both charge over USB, which simplifies travelling with one cable and charger. Neither camera has dual card slots, so there is no second slot for backing up files. Both accept SD, SDHC and SDXC cards, and the Sony additionally takes Memory Stick Duo formats. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC | SD / SDHC / SDXC, Memory Stick Duo / Memory Stick Pro Duo / Memory Stick Pro-HG 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. |
380 shots1505000 | 300 shots1505000 |
| USB charging |  Yes | Yes |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
For most buyers the Panasonic Lumix FZ300 / FZ330 is the better pick. Choose it for 4K video, 12 fps bursts of birds in flight, the 1/16000 second shutter, weather sealing for rainy hikes, and the longer 380-shot battery rating. Its 12 MP files still give ample pixels for web sharing and normal print sizes.
Choose the Sony Cyber-shot DSC HX400V instead if you need GPS geotagging and Wi-Fi transfer for travel, or if you regularly crop distant subjects hard and want its 20 MP files. Its denser electronic viewfinder also helps when composing fine detail. Otherwise, the Panasonic's video, speed and sealing make it the stronger all-round tool.