I own for weeks both the HX20V and the Panasonic TZ31 in addition to my bridge camera FZ38, and they take both not much they do in daylight for compact proportions good photos and the video mode is so good that he most buyers taking along a separate should spare camcorder. The latter can not be said, which is why she was eliminated as an option for me, unfortunately, of the Fuji F770EXR also tried out.
For video recording there is only one zoom speed, it can lower the microphone sensitivity in the HX20V - good for live recordings. The sound is also much fuller than in Pana at the Sony. In addition, in her 1080 / 50p recordings are largely smoothly while you can watch at the TZ31 when panning or scrolling motifs stroboscopic effects. For the zoom motor is almost completely silent, while the Sony is heard when shooting in the silent apartment.
Images that are to be picked up by the Sony eg celebrations in larger rooms with lightning, are almost useless compared to the bridge camera. The flash is simply not enough if the space is larger than a standard room, and then it roars unbearably (of course without the flash).
The complete image may be viewed on a Full HD monitor still look convincing, but alas, it zooms toward pixel-to-pixel rendering. Since see faces partially ghastly disfigured, because the automatic example has an eye airbrushed or has extended his mouth the entire lower half of the face, has to artificially avoid noise and confused with genuine Details noise!
On this occasion I had not used the TZ31, so I can not say that it would have been better or worse.
The trend makes the TZ31 rather cool pictures (slight blue tint) and the Sony rather warmer (lighter yellow tinge). A greater impact on the white balance but which component in the motif is envisaged, so that every now and then the reverse result notes (TZ31 warmer, cooler Sony). If one wants the Panasonic avoid strong contrasts and colors, one should avoid the iA mode and the i.Exposure, this feature is exaggerating in certain light conditions a little, so that details in light and dark drown.
The Sony makes excellent HDR photos with the TZ31, this feature is unfortunately ineffective.
The Panorama function is impressive in both class that image stabilization.
The battery life is laughable if you were previously accustomed to a bridge camera like a FZ38.
The GPS is useless both for snapshots at different locations because it takes too long to each location. It is recommended that in both cases the loading of the GPS assistance data, which the positioning speeds.
When Pana one obscured by the left index finger like to the micro for the left channel, when Sony inevitably the Pop Up. The HX20V is slightly larger, but still fits in your pocket.
The Sony monitor dissolves higher.
RAW neither dominate.
For Sony, there is still no comprehensive manual, I doubt that there is one. But you can get online with this "i-Manual" appeals: [...]
My conclusion: Both cameras have their raison d'ĂȘtre, the HX20V is in the video area and the HDR mode forward, but it is 70 euros more expensive.
As always: Dare no review, do yourself! Amazon's experience has shown that returns always fair and fast, so the purchase price is on loan for a short time.