• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 12.3 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 12,800
  • 1/2.33 inch 28.2mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 875.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Sony DSLR-A500 advantages over Panasonic LZ30

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1/2.33 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
    ~ 5.55 vs 1.33 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 1000 vs 380 shots
    Capture more photos
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Longer exposure
    30 vs 15 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    4.9 fps vs 1.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    12800 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Panasonic LZ30 advantages over Sony DSLR-A500

  • More dots on screen
    460k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • More pixels
    16.1 vs 12.3 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • 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
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Pentax K20D

Sony DSLR-A500
Pentax K20D
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Top deck display
Panasonic LZ30
Pentax K20D
  • $160
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Newer
  • Lighter weight
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Sony DSLR-A550

Sony DSLR-A500
Sony DSLR-A550
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • $859
  • APS-C
  • More dots on screen
  • More pixels
Panasonic LZ30
Sony DSLR-A550
  • $160
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • $859
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Sony DSLR-A560

Sony DSLR-A500
Sony DSLR-A560
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Less shutter lag
  • $750
  • APS-C
  • In-camera panoramas
  • More cross-type AF points
Panasonic LZ30
Sony DSLR-A560
  • $160
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • $750
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Fujifilm S4500

Sony DSLR-A500
Fujifilm S4500
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $260
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
Panasonic LZ30
Fujifilm S4500
  • $160
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Manual focus
  • $260
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Longer stills battery life

Compared to Sony H300

Sony DSLR-A500
Sony H300
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $198
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Newer
Panasonic LZ30
Sony H300
  • $160
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Manual focus
  • Faster JPEG shooting
  • $198
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • More pixels
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