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Panasonic FH20 vs Sony A230

Portability
93
Imaging
37
Features
21
Overall
30
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH20 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A230 front
Portability
69
Imaging
50
Features
40
Overall
46

Panasonic FH20 vs Sony A230 Key Specs

Panasonic FH20
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-224mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 178g - 100 x 56 x 28mm
  • Introduced January 2010
  • Additionally referred to as Lumix DMC-FS30
Sony A230
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 490g - 128 x 97 x 68mm
  • Launched May 2009
  • Earlier Model is Sony A200
  • New Model is Sony A290
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Panasonic FH20 vs Sony A230 Overview

Below is a comprehensive analysis of the Panasonic FH20 vs Sony A230, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by companies Panasonic and Sony. There is a huge difference among the resolutions of the FH20 (14MP) and A230 (10MP) and the FH20 (1/2.3") and A230 (APS-C) have different sensor sizes.

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The FH20 was released 8 months later than the A230 which means that they are both of a similar generation. Each of the cameras have different body design with the Panasonic FH20 being a Compact camera and the Sony A230 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before getting right into a step-by-step comparison, here is a simple view of how the FH20 matches up against the A230 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FH20 over the Sony A230

 FH20 A230 
LaunchedJanuary 2010May 2009More recent by 8 months

Reasons to pick Sony A230 over the Panasonic FH20

 A230 FH20 
Manually focus Very exact focusing

Common features in the Panasonic FH20 and Sony A230

 FH20 A230 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions2.7"2.7"Equal display dimensions
Display resolution230k230kSame display resolution
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch display Neither includes Touch display

Panasonic FH20 vs Sony A230 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is aiming to lug around your camera, you will need to consider its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic FH20 features physical dimensions of 100mm x 56mm x 28mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.1") with a weight of 178 grams (0.39 lbs) while the Sony A230 has dimensions of 128mm x 97mm x 68mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.7") having a weight of 490 grams (1.08 lbs).

Contrast the Panasonic FH20 vs Sony A230 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you are using at that time. Here is a front view over all size comparison of the FH20 versus the A230.

Panasonic FH20 vs Sony A230 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the FH20 and A230 is 93 and 69 respectively.

Panasonic FH20 vs Sony A230 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FH20 vs Sony A230 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it's tough to visualize the difference in sensor measurements simply by looking through technical specs. The photograph underneath will offer you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the FH20 and A230.

As you can tell, both the cameras provide different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The FH20 featuring a smaller sensor is going to make shooting shallower DOF more difficult and the Panasonic FH20 will result in extra detail as a result of its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will also make it easier to crop pics more aggressively. The newer FH20 provides an edge with regard to sensor tech.

Panasonic FH20 vs Sony A230 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FH20 vs Sony A230 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FH20 vs Sony A230 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FH20 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony A230 as a Portrait photography camera
28
megapixel count good (14MP)
manual focus not available
lack of manual exposure
can't use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
54
focusing manually
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
no liveview feature
MP count low (10 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FH20 as a Street photography camera
Sony A230 as a Street photography camera
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
67
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic FH20
Sports photography with Sony A230
35
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (14MP)
continuous shooting slow (5.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
46
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
has phase detect autofocus
no liveview feature
max fps low (3.0 frames per second)
MP count low (10MP)
not so great battery pack (230 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic FH20
Travel photography with Sony A230
64
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
fairly wide (28mm)
missing Time Lapse function
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
45
has built in flash
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
not so great battery pack (230 shots)
MP count low (10 megapixels)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FH20 Landscape photography highlights
Sony A230 Landscape photography highlights
37
fairly wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is small (2.7")
lack of manual exposure
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
missing Time Lapse function
51
focusing manually
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
small screen (2.7 inch)
no liveview feature
MP count low (10MP)
not so great battery pack (230 shots)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FH20 Vlogging highlights
Sony A230 Vlogging highlights
28
fairly wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
display isn't selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing mic jack
9
no video
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Panasonic FH20 vs Sony A230 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FH20 and Sony A230
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH20Sony Alpha DSLR-A230
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Sony
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH20 Sony Alpha DSLR-A230
Also referred to as Lumix DMC-FS30 -
Class Small Sensor Compact Entry-Level DSLR
Introduced 2010-01-06 2009-05-18
Physical type Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor - 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 10 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4320 x 3240 3872 x 2592
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens focal range 28-224mm (8.0x) -
Largest aperture f/3.3-5.9 -
Macro focus distance 5cm -
Available lenses - 143
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.7" 2.7"
Screen resolution 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.55x
Features
Min shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 5.0 frames per second 3.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 5.80 m (Auto ISO) 10.00 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize - 1/160 secs
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), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) -
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 None
Video 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 178g (0.39 lb) 490g (1.08 lb)
Physical dimensions 100 x 56 x 28mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.1") 128 x 97 x 68mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 63
DXO Color Depth score not tested 22.3
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 11.4
DXO Low light score not tested 531
Other
Battery life - 230 photos
Battery style - Battery Pack
Battery model - NP-FH50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo
Card slots Single Single
Launch cost $179 $569