Panasonic FH1 vs Sony A580

In this write-up, we are reviewing the Panasonic FH1 versus Sony A580, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by brands Panasonic and Sony. There is a big difference between the resolutions of the FH1 (12MP) and A580 (16MP) and the FH1 (1/2.3") and A580 (APS-C) feature different sensor sizing.

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The FH1 was announced 16 months earlier than the A580 making the cameras a generation away from each other. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic FH1 being a Compact camera and the Sony A580 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before we go in to a comprehensive comparison, below is a simple summation of how the FH1 scores vs the A580 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Below is a sample of the gallery pictures for Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH1 and Sony Alpha DSLR-A580. The whole galleries are available at Panasonic FH1 Gallery and Sony A580 Gallery.

If you're intending to travel with your camera frequently, you're going to have to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic FH1 comes with physical dimensions of 98mm x 55mm x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") along with a weight of 163 grams (0.36 lbs) and the Sony A580 has dimensions of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") having a weight of 599 grams (1.32 lbs).

Examine the Panasonic FH1 versus Sony A580 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you have at that time. Here is the front view measurements comparison of the FH1 against the A580.

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the FH1 and A580 is 95 and 64 respectively.

Often, its hard to imagine the contrast between sensor dimensions only by reading a spec sheet. The image here might provide you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the FH1 and A580.

Clearly, both the cameras offer different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The FH1 having a tinier sensor is going to make shooting shallower DOF trickier and the Sony A580 will offer you greater detail with its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also enable you to crop pics a little more aggressively. The more aged FH1 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor technology.