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Canon A480 vs Panasonic FP3

Portability
94
Imaging
33
Features
13
Overall
25
Canon PowerShot A480 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP3 front
Portability
95
Imaging
37
Features
25
Overall
32

Canon A480 vs Panasonic FP3 Key Specs

Canon A480
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 37-122mm (F3.0-5.8) lens
  • 140g - 92 x 62 x 31mm
  • Introduced January 2009
Panasonic FP3
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 35-140mm (F3.5-5.9) lens
  • 155g - 99 x 59 x 19mm
  • Announced January 2010
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Canon A480 vs Panasonic FP3 Overview

In this article, we are evaluating the Canon A480 and Panasonic FP3, both Ultracompact cameras by competitors Canon and Panasonic. There exists a large gap among the image resolutions of the A480 (10MP) and FP3 (14MP) but they use the same exact sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The A480 was announced 11 months earlier than the FP3 so they are both of a similar age. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (Ultracompact).

Before we go in to a comprehensive comparison, below is a brief introduction of how the A480 grades against the FP3 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon A480 over the Panasonic FP3

 A480 FP3 

Reasons to pick Panasonic FP3 over the Canon A480

 FP3 A480 
AnnouncedJanuary 2010January 2009Fresher by 11 months
Display sizing3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution230k115kClearer display (+115k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Canon A480 and Panasonic FP3

 A480 FP3 
Focus manually No manual focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen

Canon A480 vs Panasonic FP3 Physical Comparison

When you are going to carry your camera regularly, you have to take into account its weight and proportions. The Canon A480 offers physical dimensions of 92mm x 62mm x 31mm (3.6" x 2.4" x 1.2") with a weight of 140 grams (0.31 lbs) while the Panasonic FP3 has measurements of 99mm x 59mm x 19mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.7") with a weight of 155 grams (0.34 lbs).

Look at the Canon A480 and Panasonic FP3 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are using at the time. Here is the front view proportions comparison of the A480 versus the FP3.

Canon A480 vs Panasonic FP3 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the A480 and FP3 is 94 and 95 respectively.

Canon A480 vs Panasonic FP3 top view buttons comparison

Canon A480 vs Panasonic FP3 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, its tough to imagine the contrast in sensor sizing simply by viewing specs. The graphic below may give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the A480 and FP3.

All in all, both of those cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but different resolution. You can expect to see the Panasonic FP3 to result in greater detail with its extra 4MP. Greater resolution can also enable you to crop images far more aggressively. The older A480 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.

Canon A480 vs Panasonic FP3 sensor size comparison

Canon A480 vs Panasonic FP3 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon A480 vs Panasonic FP3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon A480 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic FP3 as a Portrait photography camera
25
flash sync speed is above average (1/500 seconds)
lack of manual focus
no manual control
cannot use external flash
megapixel count low (10MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
28
decent megapixels (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
manual mode not available
no external flash support
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Canon A480 Street photography details
Panasonic FP3 Street photography details
47
no moving screen
does not have image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
60
has image stabilization (Optical)
includes touch focus
no articulating screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
more heavy than competitors (155 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Canon A480 Sports photography features
Panasonic FP3 Sports photography features
16
low frames per second (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
35
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (14MP)
slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon A480
Travel photography with Panasonic FP3
50
built-in flash
missing Time Lapse mode
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
wide angle not the best (37mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
60
includes touch focus
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
doesn't have Timelapse mode
more heavy than competitors (155 grams)
screen isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not good (35mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon A480 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic FP3 as a Landscape photography camera
22
lack of manual focus
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (37mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
screen is small (2.5 inches)
no manual control
does not have image stabilization
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
missing Time Lapse mode
37
nice screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (35mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
manual mode not available
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
doesn't have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon A480
Vlogging with Panasonic FP3
22
wide angle not the best (37mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
display is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
low res video (640 x 480 pxls)
missing external mic jack
27
has touchscreen
has image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not good (35mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have external microphone jack
more heavy than competitors (155g)
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Canon A480 vs Panasonic FP3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon A480 and Panasonic FP3
 Canon PowerShot A480Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP3
General Information
Brand Name Canon Panasonic
Model Canon PowerShot A480 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP3
Category Ultracompact Ultracompact
Introduced 2009-01-15 2010-01-06
Body design Ultracompact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Powered by - Venus Engine IV
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 10MP 14MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 3648 x 2736 4320 x 3240
Highest native ISO 1600 6400
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 5 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 37-122mm (3.3x) 35-140mm (4.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.0-5.8 f/3.5-5.9
Macro focus range 1cm 10cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.5 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 115 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15 seconds 60 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 1.0fps 5.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 3.00 m 4.90 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/500 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video file format - Motion JPEG
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 140 grams (0.31 pounds) 155 grams (0.34 pounds)
Dimensions 92 x 62 x 31mm (3.6" x 2.4" x 1.2") 99 x 59 x 19mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery model 2 x AA -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SC/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus, internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Cost at launch $210 $182