• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 720.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 18.2 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 720.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Panasonic ZS50 advantages over Sony HX99

  • Less expensive
    $279 vs $473
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Slower slow-motion
    240 fps vs 120 fps
    Supports slower slow-mo
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 1.54 vs 1.26 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots

Sony HX99 advantages over Panasonic ZS50

  • 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
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 370 vs 300 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Newer
    5 years vs 9 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.50x vs 0.46x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • More pixels
    18.2 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    103 vs 6 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    12800 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • 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
  • In-camera panoramas
    Both provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • RAW file ability
    Both provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Both provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • 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
  • Slow-motion videos
    Both provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • 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
  • Hot shoe
    Neither provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bulb shutter
    Neither provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

User reviews

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Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Panasonic ZS40

Panasonic ZS50
Panasonic ZS40
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $380
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in GPS
  • More pixels

Compare Panasonic ZS50 vs Panasonic ZS40

Sony HX99
Panasonic ZS40
  • $473
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
  • $380
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Built-in GPS

Compare Sony HX99 vs Panasonic ZS40

Compared to Panasonic ZS35

Panasonic ZS50
Panasonic ZS35
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $300
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • More pixels

Compare Panasonic ZS50 vs Panasonic ZS35

Sony HX99
Panasonic ZS35
  • $473
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $300
  • 1/2.33 inch

Compare Sony HX99 vs Panasonic ZS35

Compared to Canon SX700 HS

Panasonic ZS50
Canon SX700 HS
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $329
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More pixels
  • Faster shutter

Compare Panasonic ZS50 vs Canon SX700 HS

Sony HX99
Canon SX700 HS
  • $473
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $329
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Faster shutter

Compare Sony HX99 vs Canon SX700 HS

Compared to Sony HX90V

Panasonic ZS50
Sony HX90V
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels
  • $448
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Built-in GPS

Compare Panasonic ZS50 vs Sony HX90V

Sony HX99
Sony HX90V
  • $473
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
  • $448
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in GPS
  • Longer video battery life

Compare Sony HX99 vs Sony HX90V

Compared to Sony HX80

Panasonic ZS50
Sony HX80
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $368
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Panasonic ZS50 vs Sony HX80

Sony HX99
Sony HX80
  • $473
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $368
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive

Compare Sony HX99 vs Sony HX80

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