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Panasonic FH2 vs Sony A380

Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
33
Overall
35
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH2 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A380 front
Portability
68
Imaging
53
Features
54
Overall
53

Panasonic FH2 vs Sony A380 Key Specs

Panasonic FH2
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-112mm (F3.1-6.5) lens
  • 121g - 94 x 54 x 19mm
  • Launched January 2011
  • Also referred to as Lumix DMC-FS16
Sony A380
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 519g - 128 x 97 x 71mm
  • Introduced August 2009
  • Replaced the Sony A350
  • Replacement is Sony A390
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Panasonic FH2 vs Sony A380 Overview

Here, we will be comparing the Panasonic FH2 versus Sony A380, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by manufacturers Panasonic and Sony. The sensor resolution of the FH2 (14MP) and the A380 (14MP) is pretty comparable but the FH2 (1/2.3") and A380 (APS-C) have totally different sensor measurements.

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The FH2 was unveiled 17 months later than the A380 which makes them a generation apart from one another. Both of the cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic FH2 being a Compact camera and the Sony A380 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before diving into a complete comparison, here is a simple summation of how the FH2 grades vs the A380 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FH2 over the Sony A380

 FH2 A380 
IntroducedJanuary 2011August 2009Fresher by 17 months

Reasons to pick Sony A380 over the Panasonic FH2

 A380 FH2 
Manually focus Dial accurate focus
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen

Common features in the Panasonic FH2 and Sony A380

 FH2 A380 
Screen size2.7"2.7"Same screen measurements
Screen resolution230k230kEqual screen resolution
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither contains Touch friendly screen

Panasonic FH2 vs Sony A380 Physical Comparison

If you are planning to carry your camera, you are going to need to think about its weight and measurements. The Panasonic FH2 has got exterior measurements of 94mm x 54mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.7") having a weight of 121 grams (0.27 lbs) and the Sony A380 has proportions of 128mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.8") accompanied by a weight of 519 grams (1.14 lbs).

Check the Panasonic FH2 versus Sony A380 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are utilising at the time. Following is a front view dimensions comparison of the FH2 against the A380.

Panasonic FH2 vs Sony A380 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the FH2 and A380 is 96 and 68 respectively.

Panasonic FH2 vs Sony A380 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FH2 vs Sony A380 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it's difficult to visualise the contrast in sensor sizing just by going through specs. The graphic underneath may give you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the FH2 and A380.

As you can plainly see, both cameras come with the identical megapixel count albeit not the same sensor sizing. The FH2 uses the smaller sensor which is going to make obtaining shallow DOF harder. The more modern FH2 will have a benefit in sensor tech.

Panasonic FH2 vs Sony A380 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FH2 vs Sony A380 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FH2 vs Sony A380 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FH2 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony A380 as a Portrait photography camera
33
resolution is good (14MP)
has face detection focusing
focusing manually not possible
no manual exposure
no external flash support
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
71
manual focus
decent MP (14MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
offers face detect focus
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic FH2
Street photography with Sony A380
67
built in image stabilization (Optical)
offers touch focus
lighter than competition (121 grams)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
76
tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FH2 Sports photography info
Sony A380 Sports photography info
43
built in image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (14MP)
has tracking autofocus
better than average battery life (270 CIPA)
continuous shooting slow (4.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
59
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (14 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
comes with phase detect auto focus
max fps very slow (3.0 fps)
not so great battery life (500 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic FH2
Travel photography with Sony A380
72
better than average battery life (270 CIPA)
lighter than competition (121 grams)
offers touch focus
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
decently wide (28mm)
missing Time Lapse function
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
53
decent MP (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
does not have Time Lapse recording
not so great battery life (500 shots)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FH2 Landscape photography information
Sony A380 Landscape photography information
41
decently wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (14MP)
better than average battery life (270 per charge)
focusing manually not possible
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
screen is small (2.7 inch)
no manual exposure
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
missing Time Lapse function
61
manual focus
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (14 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
small screen (2.7")
not so great battery life (500 per charge)
does not have Time Lapse recording
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FH2 Vlogging details
Sony A380 Vlogging details
32
decently wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
has face detection focusing
lighter than competition (121g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
display isn't selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing external mic port
9
no video shooting
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Panasonic FH2 vs Sony A380 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FH2 and Sony A380
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH2Sony Alpha DSLR-A380
General Information
Make Panasonic Sony
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH2 Sony Alpha DSLR-A380
Also called Lumix DMC-FS16 -
Category Small Sensor Compact Entry-Level DSLR
Launched 2011-01-05 2009-08-24
Body design Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Venus Engine IV Bionz
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.6 x 15.8mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 372.9mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4320 x 3240 4592 x 3056
Highest native ISO 6400 3200
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens focal range 28-112mm (4.0x) -
Largest aperture f/3.1-6.5 -
Macro focus range 5cm -
Total lenses - 143
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen diagonal 2.7" 2.7"
Screen resolution 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.49x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 4.0 frames per second 3.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 3.30 m 10.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync - 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) -
Highest video resolution 1280x720 None
Video file format Motion JPEG -
Mic 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 121 gr (0.27 pounds) 519 gr (1.14 pounds)
Physical dimensions 94 x 54 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.7") 128 x 97 x 71mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 67
DXO Color Depth score not tested 22.6
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 11.8
DXO Low light score not tested 614
Other
Battery life 270 photographs 500 photographs
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - NP-FH50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo
Storage slots 1 1
Launch pricing $149 $899