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Panasonic FH1 vs Sony A230

Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
17
Overall
27
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH1 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A230 front
Portability
69
Imaging
50
Features
40
Overall
46

Panasonic FH1 vs Sony A230 Key Specs

Panasonic FH1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F2.8-6.9) lens
  • 163g - 98 x 55 x 23mm
  • Announced January 2010
  • Additionally Known as Lumix DMC-FS10
Sony A230
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 490g - 128 x 97 x 68mm
  • Released May 2009
  • Old Model is Sony A200
  • Newer Model is Sony A290
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Panasonic FH1 vs Sony A230 Overview

Following is a detailed assessment of the Panasonic FH1 versus Sony A230, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by competitors Panasonic and Sony. The sensor resolution of the FH1 (12MP) and the A230 (10MP) is very well matched but the FH1 (1/2.3") and A230 (APS-C) enjoy different sensor dimensions.

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The FH1 was unveiled 8 months after the A230 and they are of a similar generation. Each of these cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic FH1 being a Compact camera and the Sony A230 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before going through a more detailed comparison, below is a concise summation of how the FH1 matches up vs the A230 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FH1 over the Sony A230

 FH1 A230 
ReleasedJanuary 2010May 2009More modern by 8 months

Reasons to pick Sony A230 over the Panasonic FH1

 A230 FH1 
Manual focus Dial precise focus

Common features in the Panasonic FH1 and Sony A230

 FH1 A230 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimension2.7"2.7"Identical display sizing
Display resolution230k230kExact same display resolution
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch display Neither provides Touch display

Panasonic FH1 vs Sony A230 Physical Comparison

If you are looking to carry around your camera regularly, you should consider its weight and volume. The Panasonic FH1 provides outer measurements of 98mm x 55mm x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") with a weight of 163 grams (0.36 lbs) while the Sony A230 has sizing of 128mm x 97mm x 68mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.7") with a weight of 490 grams (1.08 lbs).

Look at the Panasonic FH1 versus Sony A230 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you use at the time. Underneath is the front view proportions comparison of the FH1 versus the A230.

Panasonic FH1 vs Sony A230 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the FH1 and A230 is 95 and 69 respectively.

Panasonic FH1 vs Sony A230 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FH1 vs Sony A230 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it's difficult to picture the contrast between sensor sizes merely by looking at specifications. The image below might give you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the FH1 and A230.

To sum up, the 2 cameras have got different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The FH1 with its tinier sensor is going to make achieving shallow DOF more difficult and the Panasonic FH1 will give you extra detail having an extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop pics much more aggressively. The fresher FH1 provides an edge with regard to sensor innovation.

Panasonic FH1 vs Sony A230 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FH1 vs Sony A230 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FH1 vs Sony A230 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FH1 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony A230 as a Portrait photography camera
21
no manual focus
manual exposure not possible
can't use external flash
low resolution (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
54
you can focus manually
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
does not have liveview
sensor resolution low (10MP)
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FH1 Street photography highlights
Sony A230 Street photography highlights
57
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
67
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
fixed screen
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FH1 Sports photography features
Sony A230 Sports photography features
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
max fps low (6.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
low resolution (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
46
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
has phase detect autofocus
does not have liveview
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
low battery power (230 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FH1 as a Travel photography camera
Sony A230 as a Travel photography camera
58
built-in flash
quite wide (28mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
low resolution (12MP)
does not posses selfie friendly display
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
45
has built in flash
lack of Timelapse mode
low battery power (230 per charge)
sensor resolution low (10MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic FH1
Landscape photography with Sony A230
32
quite wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
small screen (2.7 inches)
manual exposure not possible
low resolution (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
51
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
does not have liveview
sensor resolution low (10MP)
low battery power (230 per charge)
lack of Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FH1 Vlogging advice
Sony A230 Vlogging advice
29
quite wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
does not posses selfie friendly display
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have mic support
9
no video
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Panasonic FH1 vs Sony A230 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FH1 and Sony A230
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH1Sony Alpha DSLR-A230
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Sony
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH1 Sony Alpha DSLR-A230
Also Known as Lumix DMC-FS10 -
Type Small Sensor Compact Entry-Level DSLR
Announced 2010-01-06 2009-05-18
Physical type Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Bionz
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 10 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4000 x 3000 3872 x 2592
Max native ISO 6400 3200
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens zoom range 28-140mm (5.0x) -
Maximum aperture f/2.8-6.9 -
Macro focusing distance 5cm -
Total lenses - 143
Crop factor 5.9 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.7 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of screen 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.55x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 6.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 6.80 m 10.00 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize - 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) -
Max video resolution 1280x720 None
Video file format Motion JPEG -
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 163 grams (0.36 pounds) 490 grams (1.08 pounds)
Dimensions 98 x 55 x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") 128 x 97 x 68mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 63
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 22.3
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 11.4
DXO Low light rating not tested 531
Other
Battery life - 230 shots
Battery type - Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-FH50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo
Card slots Single Single
Pricing at launch $150 $569