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Panasonic FH3 vs Sony A9

Portability
94
Imaging
36
Features
21
Overall
30
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH3 front
 
Sony Alpha A9 front
Portability
65
Imaging
73
Features
93
Overall
81

Panasonic FH3 vs Sony A9 Key Specs

Panasonic FH3
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F2.8-6.9) lens
  • 165g - 98 x 55 x 24mm
  • Revealed January 2010
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-FS11
Sony A9
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Expand to 204800)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 673g - 127 x 96 x 63mm
  • Introduced April 2017
  • Replacement is Sony A9 II
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Panasonic FH3 vs Sony A9 Overview

In this article, we will be evaluating the Panasonic FH3 vs Sony A9, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Pro Mirrorless by manufacturers Panasonic and Sony. There exists a large gap among the sensor resolutions of the FH3 (14MP) and A9 (24MP) and the FH3 (1/2.3") and A9 (Full frame) come with totally different sensor size.

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The FH3 was brought out 8 years earlier than the A9 and that is a fairly serious difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic FH3 being a Compact camera and the Sony A9 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving straight into a comprehensive comparison, below is a quick introduction of how the FH3 matches up vs the A9 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FH3 over the Sony A9

 FH3 A9 

Reasons to pick Sony A9 over the Panasonic FH3

 A9 FH3 
IntroducedApril 2017January 2010Fresher by 88 months
Manually focus Dial accurate focusing
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution1440k230kSharper screen (+1210k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Panasonic FH3 and Sony A9

 FH3 A9 
Selfie screen No selfie screen

Panasonic FH3 vs Sony A9 Physical Comparison

When you are going to carry your camera often, you're going to have to think about its weight and size. The Panasonic FH3 enjoys outside measurements of 98mm x 55mm x 24mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") having a weight of 165 grams (0.36 lbs) whilst the Sony A9 has specifications of 127mm x 96mm x 63mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.5") along with a weight of 673 grams (1.48 lbs).

Check out the Panasonic FH3 vs Sony A9 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you use at the time. Here is the front view measurements comparison of the FH3 vs the A9.

Panasonic FH3 vs Sony A9 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the FH3 and A9 is 94 and 65 respectively.

Panasonic FH3 vs Sony A9 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FH3 vs Sony A9 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it's hard to see the contrast in sensor sizing simply by viewing a spec sheet. The graphic below should provide you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the FH3 and A9.

Clearly, the two cameras offer different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The FH3 because of its smaller sensor will make achieving bokeh more difficult and the Sony A9 will provide you with extra detail having its extra 10MP. Higher resolution can also help you crop shots a little more aggressively. The older FH3 will be behind when it comes to sensor technology.

Panasonic FH3 vs Sony A9 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FH3 vs Sony A9 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FH3 vs Sony A9 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FH3 Portrait photography highlights
Sony A9 Portrait photography highlights
28
good MP (14MP)
lack of manual focus
manual mode not available
external flash not possible
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
83
you can focus manually
good megapixels (24 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
features face detect autofocus
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic FH3
Street photography with Sony A9
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
79
tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
saves RAW files
includes focus by touch
weather proof
very good ISO range (51,200)
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FH3 as a Sports photography camera
Sony A9 as a Sports photography camera
34
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (14MP)
very slow continuous shooting (6.0 fps)
no shutter priority
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
86
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
quiet shutter (1/32,000 seconds)
fast shooting (20.0 frames per second)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good megapixels (24MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
features tracking focus
weather proof
better than average battery (650 CIPA)
has phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FH3 as a Travel photography camera
Sony A9 as a Travel photography camera
64
good MP (14MP)
flash built-in
decently wide (28mm)
lack of Time Lapse function
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
73
better than average battery (650 CIPA)
weather proof
supports bluetooth
includes focus by touch
good megapixels (24MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FH3 Landscape photography factors
Sony A9 Landscape photography factors
37
decently wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (14 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is small (2.7 inches)
manual mode not available
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
lack of Time Lapse function
85
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Sony E mount)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good megapixels (24MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
very good ISO range (51,200)
saves RAW files
weather proof
better than average battery (650 per charge)
has double storage slots
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FH3 Vlogging information
Sony A9 Vlogging information
29
decently wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of external mic port
36
screen is touchscreen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
features face detect autofocus
high quality video (3840 x 2160 pixels)
has mic port
display isn't selfie friendly
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Panasonic FH3 vs Sony A9 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FH3 and Sony A9
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH3Sony Alpha A9
General Information
Company Panasonic Sony
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH3 Sony Alpha A9
Also called as Lumix DMC-FS11 -
Type Small Sensor Compact Pro Mirrorless
Revealed 2010-01-06 2017-04-19
Body design Compact SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - BIONZ X
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Full frame
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 35.6 x 23.8mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 847.3mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 24 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4320 x 3240 6000 x 4000
Max native ISO 6400 51200
Max boosted ISO - 204800
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW images
Min boosted ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to 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
Number of focus points 9 693
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Sony E
Lens focal range 28-140mm (5.0x) -
Largest aperture f/2.8-6.9 -
Macro focus range 5cm -
Total lenses - 121
Crop factor 5.9 1
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Tilting
Display diagonal 2.7 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 230 thousand dot 1,440 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 3,686 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.78x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/8000 secs
Maximum quiet shutter speed - 1/32000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 6.0 frames per second 20.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 6.80 m no built-in flash
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Flash off, Autoflash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync., Red-eye reduction, Wireless, Hi-speed sync
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
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) -
Max video resolution 1280x720 3840x2160
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 165 grams (0.36 pounds) 673 grams (1.48 pounds)
Dimensions 98 x 55 x 24mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") 127 x 96 x 63mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.5")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 92
DXO Color Depth score not tested 24.9
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 13.3
DXO Low light score not tested 3517
Other
Battery life - 650 photographs
Battery form - Battery Pack
Battery model - NP-FZ100
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2, 5, 10 secs + continuous)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II compatible)
Storage slots Single 2
Retail pricing $160 $4,498