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Panasonic FH20 vs Sony A900

Portability
93
Imaging
36
Features
21
Overall
30
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH20 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A900 front
Portability
54
Imaging
66
Features
62
Overall
64

Panasonic FH20 vs Sony A900 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
  • Released January 2010
  • Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-FS30
Sony A900
(Full Review)
  • 25MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 895g - 156 x 117 x 82mm
  • Introduced October 2008
  • Successor is Sony A99
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Panasonic FH20 vs Sony A900 Overview

Below, we will be comparing the Panasonic FH20 versus Sony A900, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Advanced DSLR by rivals Panasonic and Sony. There is a huge difference among the resolutions of the FH20 (14MP) and A900 (25MP) and the FH20 (1/2.3") and A900 (Full frame) come with different sensor sizing.

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The FH20 was announced 15 months after the A900 which makes the cameras a generation away from each other. Both of the cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic FH20 being a Compact camera and the Sony A900 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before we go in to a comprehensive comparison, below is a brief synopsis of how the FH20 matches up against the A900 for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FH20 over the Sony A900

 FH20 A900 
IntroducedJanuary 2010October 2008Newer by 15 months

Reasons to pick Sony A900 over the Panasonic FH20

 A900 FH20 
Focus manually More precise focus
Screen dimension3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution922k230kSharper screen (+692k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic FH20 and Sony A900

 FH20 A900 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither features Touch friendly screen

Panasonic FH20 vs Sony A900 Physical Comparison

If you're intending to travel with your camera, you're going to have to take into account its weight and size. The Panasonic FH20 enjoys outside dimensions of 100mm x 56mm x 28mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.1") with a weight of 178 grams (0.39 lbs) whilst the Sony A900 has specifications of 156mm x 117mm x 82mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 3.2") accompanied by a weight of 895 grams (1.97 lbs).

Take a look at the Panasonic FH20 versus Sony A900 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you have attached at the time. Here is the front view measurement comparison of the FH20 and the A900.

Panasonic FH20 vs Sony A900 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the FH20 and A900 is 93 and 54 respectively.

Panasonic FH20 vs Sony A900 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FH20 vs Sony A900 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is hard to imagine the gap in sensor dimensions just by viewing specs. The picture underneath will help provide you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the FH20 and A900.

All in all, the 2 cameras have got different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The FH20 having a smaller sensor is going to make shooting bokeh harder and the Sony A900 will render more detail with its extra 11 Megapixels. Higher resolution will help you crop photographs much more aggressively. The newer FH20 should have a benefit when it comes to sensor tech.

Panasonic FH20 vs Sony A900 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FH20 vs Sony A900 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FH20 vs Sony A900 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FH20 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony A900 as a Portrait photography camera
28
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
no manual focus
manual mode not possible
can't use external flash
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
71
has manual focus
MP count great (25 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
supports RAW formats
no liveview
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FH20 Street photography information
Sony A900 Street photography information
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
66
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
supports RAW formats
weather proofing
fixed screen
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Panasonic FH20 Sports photography info
Sony A900 Sports photography info
34
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
max frames per second low (5.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
70
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count great (25 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
weather proofing
sensor has phase detect autofocus
no liveview
max frames per second low (5.0 fps)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FH20 as a Travel photography camera
Sony A900 as a Travel photography camera
64
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
relatively wide (28mm)
missing Timelapse function
display is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.3)
54
weather proofing
MP count great (25 megapixels)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
does not have selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FH20 Landscape photography factors
Sony A900 Landscape photography factors
37
relatively wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
small screen (2.7 inches)
manual mode not possible
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
missing Timelapse function
72
has manual focus
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
decent sized screen (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count great (25 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
supports RAW formats
weather proofing
has double storage slots
no liveview
doesn't have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FH20 Vlogging details
Sony A900 Vlogging details
28
relatively wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
display is not selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing external microphone jack
9
can't record video
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Panasonic FH20 vs Sony A900 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FH20 and Sony A900
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH20Sony Alpha DSLR-A900
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Sony
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH20 Sony Alpha DSLR-A900
Other name Lumix DMC-FS30 -
Category Small Sensor Compact Advanced DSLR
Released 2010-01-06 2008-10-22
Body design Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Bionz
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Full frame
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 25 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4320 x 3240 6048 x 4032
Highest native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens zoom range 28-224mm (8.0x) -
Maximum aperture f/3.3-5.9 -
Macro focusing distance 5cm -
Total lenses - 143
Crop factor 5.9 1
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.7 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dot 922 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen tech - TFT Xtra Fine color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.74x
Features
Min shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 5.0 frames per sec 5.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 5.80 m (Auto ISO) no built-in flash
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync - 1/250 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
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) -
Highest video resolution 1280x720 None
Video data format Motion JPEG -
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None None
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 178 gr (0.39 pounds) 895 gr (1.97 pounds)
Dimensions 100 x 56 x 28mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.1") 156 x 117 x 82mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 3.2")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 79
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.7
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.3
DXO Low light rating not tested 1431
Other
Battery life - 880 pictures
Battery form - Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal Compact Flash (Type I or II), Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, UDMA Mode 5, Supports FAT12 / FAT16 / FAT32
Storage slots One 2
Launch price $179 $2,736