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Panasonic FH2 vs Sony A37

Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
33
Overall
35
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH2 front
 
Sony SLT-A37 front
Portability
67
Imaging
57
Features
65
Overall
60

Panasonic FH2 vs Sony A37 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 A37
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.6" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 506g - 124 x 92 x 85mm
  • Launched May 2012
  • Replaced the Sony A35
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Panasonic FH2 vs Sony A37 Overview

In this write-up, we are reviewing the Panasonic FH2 versus Sony A37, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by brands Panasonic and Sony. The resolution of the FH2 (14MP) and the A37 (16MP) is very well matched but the FH2 (1/2.3") and A37 (APS-C) use different sensor sizes.

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The FH2 was revealed 16 months prior to the A37 making the cameras a generation apart from each other. Both of these cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic FH2 being a Compact camera and the Sony A37 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before delving in to a thorough comparison, below is a quick summation of how the FH2 grades versus the A37 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic FH2 over the Sony A37

 FH2 A37 
Display sizing2.7"2.6"Larger display (+0.1")

Reasons to pick Sony A37 over the Panasonic FH2

 A37 FH2 
LaunchedMay 2012January 2011Fresher by 16 months
Manually focus Very exact focus
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display

Common features in the Panasonic FH2 and Sony A37

 FH2 A37 
Display resolution230k230kExact same display resolution
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch display Lack of Touch display

Panasonic FH2 vs Sony A37 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is going to carry your camera, you'll have to take into account its weight and measurements. The Panasonic FH2 comes with outer measurements of 94mm x 54mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.7") accompanied by a weight of 121 grams (0.27 lbs) whilst the Sony A37 has proportions of 124mm x 92mm x 85mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 3.3") having a weight of 506 grams (1.12 lbs).

Take a look at the Panasonic FH2 versus Sony A37 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are working with at that time. Following is the front view sizing comparison of the FH2 compared to the A37.

Panasonic FH2 vs Sony A37 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the FH2 and A37 is 96 and 67 respectively.

Panasonic FH2 vs Sony A37 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FH2 vs Sony A37 Sensor Comparison

Often, its difficult to picture the difference between sensor sizing merely by looking at technical specs. The photograph here will give you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the FH2 and A37.

As you can tell, both of those cameras enjoy different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The FH2 having a tinier sensor is going to make achieving shallow depth of field more difficult and the Sony A37 will give extra detail because of its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also help you crop images far more aggressively. The older FH2 is going to be behind in sensor innovation.

Panasonic FH2 vs Sony A37 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FH2 vs Sony A37 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FH2 vs Sony A37 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FH2 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony A37 as a Portrait photography camera
33
decent MP (14 megapixels)
includes face detect focusing
focusing manually not possible
manual exposure not possible
external flash not possible
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
74
has manual focus
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
features face detection focus
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FH2 Street photography advice
Sony A37 Street photography advice
67
image stabilization (Optical)
boasts focus by touch
lighter than competitors (121 grams)
no moving screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
77
screen tilts
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW files
above average ISO range (25,600)
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FH2 Sports photography advice
Sony A37 Sports photography advice
43
image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (14MP)
includes tracking focus
great battery power (270 CIPA)
max frames per second low (4.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
61
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect auto focus
very slow continuous shooting (6.0 frames/s)
bad battery (500 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic FH2
Travel photography with Sony A37
72
great battery power (270 shots)
lighter than competitors (121g)
boasts focus by touch
decent MP (14MP)
flash built-in
pretty wide (28mm)
missing Timelapse mode
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
54
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
does not have Time Lapse function
bad battery (500 shots)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FH2 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony A37 as a Landscape photography camera
41
pretty wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (14MP)
great battery power (270 per charge)
focusing manually not possible
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
manual exposure not possible
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
missing Timelapse mode
64
has manual focus
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
above average ISO range (25,600)
saves RAW files
screen is small (2.6 inches)
bad battery (500 CIPA)
does not have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FH2 Vlogging info
Sony A37 Vlogging info
32
pretty wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detect focusing
lighter than competitors (121g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing microphone support
35
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detection focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
includes external mic socket
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
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Panasonic FH2 vs Sony A37 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FH2 and Sony A37
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH2Sony SLT-A37
General Information
Make Panasonic Sony
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH2 Sony SLT-A37
Also called Lumix DMC-FS16 -
Class Small Sensor Compact Entry-Level DSLR
Introduced 2011-01-05 2012-05-16
Physical type Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by Venus Engine IV -
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 14MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4320 x 3240 4912 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 6400 25600
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 11 15
Cross focus points - 3
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens focal range 28-112mm (4.0x) -
Max aperture f/3.1-6.5 -
Macro focus range 5cm -
Number of lenses - 143
Crop factor 5.9 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen sizing 2.7 inch 2.6 inch
Resolution of screen 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,440k dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.73x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 4.0 frames/s 6.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 3.30 m 12.00 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize - 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60, 29.97 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 640 x 424 (29.97 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 121 gr (0.27 lb) 506 gr (1.12 lb)
Dimensions 94 x 54 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.7") 124 x 92 x 85mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 75
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.3
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 12.9
DXO Low light score not tested 799
Other
Battery life 270 photographs 500 photographs
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - NP-FW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec 3 or 5 images)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots 1 1
Launch price $149 $522