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Panasonic FH2 vs Sony A390

Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
33
Overall
35
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH2 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A390 front
Portability
66
Imaging
54
Features
54
Overall
54

Panasonic FH2 vs Sony A390 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
  • Introduced January 2011
  • Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-FS16
Sony A390
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 549g - 128 x 97 x 86mm
  • Launched July 2010
  • Superseded the Sony A380
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Panasonic FH2 vs Sony A390 Overview

Here is a detailed analysis of the Panasonic FH2 and Sony A390, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by competitors Panasonic and Sony. The image resolution of the FH2 (14MP) and the A390 (14MP) is pretty similar but the FH2 (1/2.3") and A390 (APS-C) possess different sensor measurements.

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The FH2 was announced 6 months later than the A390 and they are both of a similar age. The two cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic FH2 being a Compact camera and the Sony A390 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before going in to a full comparison, below is a brief summation of how the FH2 scores against the A390 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FH2 over the Sony A390

 FH2 A390 

Reasons to pick Sony A390 over the Panasonic FH2

 A390 FH2 
Manual focus Dial accurate focus
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen

Common features in the Panasonic FH2 and Sony A390

 FH2 A390 
LaunchedJanuary 2011July 2010Similar age
Screen sizing2.7"2.7"Equivalent screen measurements
Screen resolution230k230kIdentical screen resolution
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Missing Touch friendly screen

Panasonic FH2 vs Sony A390 Physical Comparison

If you're aiming to carry your camera regularly, you will need to factor its weight and size. The Panasonic FH2 has outer dimensions of 94mm x 54mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.7") with a weight of 121 grams (0.27 lbs) and the Sony A390 has specifications of 128mm x 97mm x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") with a weight of 549 grams (1.21 lbs).

Look at the Panasonic FH2 and Sony A390 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are using at the time. Underneath is the front view dimensions comparison of the FH2 versus the A390.

Panasonic FH2 vs Sony A390 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the FH2 and A390 is 96 and 66 respectively.

Panasonic FH2 vs Sony A390 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FH2 vs Sony A390 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it can be hard to visualize the gap between sensor sizing simply by going over a spec sheet. The photograph below may provide you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the FH2 and A390.

As you can see, both of these cameras offer the same exact megapixels albeit different sensor sizing. The FH2 has the tinier sensor which should make achieving shallow depth of field tougher.

Panasonic FH2 vs Sony A390 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FH2 vs Sony A390 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FH2 vs Sony A390 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic FH2
Portrait photography with Sony A390
33
MP count good (14MP)
supports face detection focus
no manual focus
manual exposure not possible
cannot use external flash
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
72
has manual focus
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
includes face detection autofocus
exports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FH2 as a Street photography camera
Sony A390 as a Street photography camera
67
built in image stabilization (Optical)
offers touch to focus
lighter than others in class (121g)
screen is fixed
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
76
tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FH2 Sports photography highlights
Sony A390 Sports photography highlights
43
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (14 megapixels)
supports tracking autofocus
better than average battery (270 CIPA)
low frames per second (4.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
60
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports phase detect autofocus
slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
terrible battery power (230 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic FH2
Travel photography with Sony A390
72
better than average battery (270 per charge)
lighter than others in class (121g)
offers touch to focus
MP count good (14MP)
has built in flash
quite wide (28mm)
lack of Timelapse mode
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
53
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
lack of Time Lapse recording
terrible battery power (230 shots)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FH2 Landscape photography advice
Sony A390 Landscape photography advice
41
quite wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (14 megapixels)
better than average battery (270 per charge)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
manual exposure not possible
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
lack of Timelapse mode
61
has manual focus
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (14MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW files
tiny screen (2.7")
terrible battery power (230 shots)
lack of Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FH2 Vlogging highlights
Sony A390 Vlogging highlights
32
quite wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detection focus
lighter than others in class (121 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of external microphone socket
9
can't record video
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Panasonic FH2 vs Sony A390 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FH2 and Sony A390
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH2Sony Alpha DSLR-A390
General Information
Make Panasonic Sony
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH2 Sony Alpha DSLR-A390
Alternate name Lumix DMC-FS16 -
Class Small Sensor Compact Entry-Level DSLR
Introduced 2011-01-05 2010-07-28
Physical type Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by Venus Engine IV Bionz
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4320 x 3240 4592 x 3056
Highest native ISO 6400 3200
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens focal range 28-112mm (4.0x) -
Maximal aperture f/3.1-6.5 -
Macro focus distance 5cm -
Number of lenses - 143
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen size 2.7" 2.7"
Resolution of screen 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.49x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/1600s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting rate 4.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in 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
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize - 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) -
Highest video resolution 1280x720 None
Video data format Motion JPEG -
Mic support
Headphone support
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 sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 121 gr (0.27 lb) 549 gr (1.21 lb)
Dimensions 94 x 54 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.7") 128 x 97 x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 66
DXO Color Depth score not tested 22.5
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 11.5
DXO Low light score not tested 607
Other
Battery life 270 photographs 230 photographs
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - NP-FH50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo
Card slots One One
Launch cost $149 $500