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Panasonic FH2 vs Sony A6500

Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
33
Overall
35
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH2 front
 
Sony Alpha a6500 front
Portability
81
Imaging
67
Features
85
Overall
74

Panasonic FH2 vs Sony A6500 Key Specs

Panasonic FH2
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • 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 Known as Lumix DMC-FS16
Sony A6500
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600 (Raise to 51200)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 453g - 120 x 67 x 53mm
  • Introduced October 2016
  • Previous Model is Sony A6300
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Panasonic FH2 vs Sony A6500 Overview

The following is a extended assessment of the Panasonic FH2 versus Sony A6500, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Advanced Mirrorless by brands Panasonic and Sony. There is a substantial difference among the sensor resolutions of the FH2 (14MP) and A6500 (24MP) and the FH2 (1/2.3") and A6500 (APS-C) use totally different sensor sizes.

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The FH2 was announced 6 years prior to the A6500 which is a fairly big difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic FH2 being a Compact camera and the Sony A6500 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving through a comprehensive comparison, below is a brief synopsis of how the FH2 matches up versus the A6500 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FH2 over the Sony A6500

 FH2 A6500 

Reasons to pick Sony A6500 over the Panasonic FH2

 A6500 FH2 
IntroducedOctober 2016January 2011Newer by 70 months
Manually focus More accurate focus
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display dimension3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution922k230kCrisper display (+692k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Common features in the Panasonic FH2 and Sony A6500

 FH2 A6500 
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen

Panasonic FH2 vs Sony A6500 Physical Comparison

If you're going to travel with your camera frequently, you should factor in its weight and proportions. The Panasonic FH2 has got outside dimensions of 94mm x 54mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.7") with a weight of 121 grams (0.27 lbs) whilst the Sony A6500 has measurements of 120mm x 67mm x 53mm (4.7" x 2.6" x 2.1") accompanied by a weight of 453 grams (1.00 lbs).

Analyze the Panasonic FH2 versus Sony A6500 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you have at the time. Here is the front view physical size comparison of the FH2 vs the A6500.

Panasonic FH2 vs Sony A6500 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the FH2 and A6500 is 96 and 81 respectively.

Panasonic FH2 vs Sony A6500 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FH2 vs Sony A6500 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, its tough to visualise the contrast in sensor dimensions merely by researching technical specs. The picture here may offer you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the FH2 and A6500.

As you can tell, the two cameras have got different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The FH2 with its smaller sensor will make shooting bokeh harder and the Sony A6500 will provide you with greater detail with its extra 10 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop pics much more aggressively. The more aged FH2 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor innovation.

Panasonic FH2 vs Sony A6500 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FH2 vs Sony A6500 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FH2 vs Sony A6500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FH2 Portrait photography information
Sony A6500 Portrait photography information
33
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
supports face detection focusing
focusing manually not possible
no manual mode
external flash not possible
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
80
you can focus manually
good resolution (24 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
provides face detect focusing
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FH2 Street photography highlights
Sony A6500 Street photography highlights
67
built in image stabilization (Optical)
offers focus by touch
lighter than competitors (121 grams)
no moving screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
85
tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
has focus by touch
weather proofing
very good ISO range (25,600)
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FH2 Sports photography advice
Sony A6500 Sports photography advice
43
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
supports tracking autofocus
great battery life (270 per charge)
max frames per second very slow (4.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
77
quiet shooting (1/32,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good resolution (24 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
provides tracking focus
weather proofing
has phase detect AF
low battery (350 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic FH2
Travel photography with Sony A6500
72
great battery life (270 per charge)
lighter than competitors (121g)
offers focus by touch
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
has built in flash
pretty wide (28mm)
lack of Time Lapse function
does not posses selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f3.1)
74
weather proofing
connects via bluetooth
has focus by touch
good resolution (24MP)
has built in flash
low battery (350 CIPA)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic FH2
Landscape photography with Sony A6500
41
pretty wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
great battery life (270 per charge)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
small screen (2.7 inches)
no manual mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
lack of Time Lapse function
79
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Sony E mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good resolution (24 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
very good ISO range (25,600)
saves RAW formats
weather proofing
low battery (350 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FH2 Vlogging features
Sony A6500 Vlogging features
32
pretty wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detection focusing
lighter than competitors (121g)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of external mic socket
39
touchscreen functionality
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
provides face detect focusing
video res high (3840 x 2160 resolution)
has mic port
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
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Panasonic FH2 vs Sony A6500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FH2 and Sony A6500
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH2Sony Alpha a6500
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Sony
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH2 Sony Alpha a6500
Also referred to as Lumix DMC-FS16 -
Class Small Sensor Compact Advanced Mirrorless
Launched 2011-01-05 2016-10-06
Body design Compact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Venus Engine IV Bionz X
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 24 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4320 x 3240 6000 x 4000
Maximum native ISO 6400 25600
Maximum boosted ISO - 51200
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 11 425
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Sony E
Lens zoom range 28-112mm (4.0x) -
Highest aperture f/3.1-6.5 -
Macro focusing range 5cm -
Total lenses - 121
Crop factor 5.9 1.5
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Tilting
Display size 2.7" 3"
Resolution of display 230 thousand dot 922 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,359 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.7x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Maximum quiet shutter speed - 1/32000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 4.0 frames per second 11.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 3.30 m 6.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction Flash off, Autoflash, Fill-flash, Rear Sync., Slow Sync., Red-eye reduction (On/Off selectable), Hi-speed sync, Wireless
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync - 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 3840x2160
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 121g (0.27 lbs) 453g (1.00 lbs)
Dimensions 94 x 54 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.7") 120 x 67 x 53mm (4.7" x 2.6" x 2.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 85
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 24.5
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 13.7
DXO Low light rating not tested 1405
Other
Battery life 270 photographs 350 photographs
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-FW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes
Time lapse recording With downloadable app
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC + Memory Stick Pro Duo
Storage slots One One
Pricing at launch $149 $1,298