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Panasonic FH3 vs Sony A230

Portability
94
Imaging
36
Features
21
Overall
30
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH3 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A230 front
Portability
69
Imaging
50
Features
40
Overall
46

Panasonic FH3 vs Sony A230 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
  • Announced January 2010
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-FS11
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
  • Introduced May 2009
  • Replaced the Sony A200
  • Newer Model is Sony A290
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Panasonic FH3 vs Sony A230 Overview

The following is a extensive review of the Panasonic FH3 and Sony A230, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by competitors Panasonic and Sony. There is a considerable difference between the image resolutions of the FH3 (14MP) and A230 (10MP) and the FH3 (1/2.3") and A230 (APS-C) posses different sensor sizes.

Photography Glossary

The FH3 was unveiled 8 months after the A230 and they are of a similar age. Each of these cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic FH3 being a Compact camera and the Sony A230 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before we go into a complete comparison, here is a simple view of how the FH3 matches up vs the A230 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FH3 over the Sony A230

 FH3 A230 
IntroducedJanuary 2010May 2009Newer by 8 months

Reasons to pick Sony A230 over the Panasonic FH3

 A230 FH3 
Manual focus Very precise focus

Common features in the Panasonic FH3 and Sony A230

 FH3 A230 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display size2.7"2.7"Same display dimensions
Display resolution230k230kIdentical display resolution
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch display Neither includes Touch display

Panasonic FH3 vs Sony A230 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is intending to travel with your camera frequently, you have to consider its weight and measurements. The Panasonic FH3 features external 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 A230 has proportions of 128mm x 97mm x 68mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.7") with a weight of 490 grams (1.08 lbs).

Analyze the Panasonic FH3 and Sony A230 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you use at that moment. The following is a front view size comparison of the FH3 vs the A230.

Panasonic FH3 vs Sony A230 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the FH3 and A230 is 94 and 69 respectively.

Panasonic FH3 vs Sony A230 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FH3 vs Sony A230 Sensor Comparison

Often, its tough to visualize the contrast between sensor dimensions simply by looking at technical specs. The pic here might offer you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the FH3 and A230.

As you have seen, each of the cameras come with different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The FH3 having a tinier sensor is going to make shooting shallower DOF more challenging and the Panasonic FH3 will resolve greater detail having an extra 4MP. Greater resolution will make it easier to crop pics a good deal more aggressively. The more modern FH3 should have an advantage when it comes to sensor technology.

Panasonic FH3 vs Sony A230 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FH3 vs Sony A230 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FH3 vs Sony A230 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FH3 Portrait photography details
Sony A230 Portrait photography details
28
good resolution (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
no manual control
cannot use external flash
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
54
you can focus manually
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW files
no liveview
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FH3 as a Street photography camera
Sony A230 as a Street photography camera
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
67
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW files
screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FH3 Sports photography advice
Sony A230 Sports photography advice
34
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (14 megapixels)
slow fps (6.0 fps)
no shutter priority
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
46
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports phase detect autofocus
no liveview
max frames per second very slow (3.0 frames/s)
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
low battery (230 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FH3 Travel photography highlights
Sony A230 Travel photography highlights
64
good resolution (14MP)
has built in flash
fairly wide (28mm)
does not have Timelapse mode
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
45
has built in flash
does not have Time Lapse mode
low battery (230 CIPA)
megapixel count low (10MP)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FH3 Landscape photography factors
Sony A230 Landscape photography factors
37
fairly wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
no manual control
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
does not have Timelapse mode
51
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW files
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
no liveview
megapixel count low (10MP)
low battery (230 CIPA)
does not have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FH3 Vlogging highlights
Sony A230 Vlogging highlights
29
fairly wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have microphone support
9
lack of video recording
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Panasonic FH3 vs Sony A230 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FH3 and Sony A230
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH3Sony Alpha DSLR-A230
General Information
Brand Panasonic Sony
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH3 Sony Alpha DSLR-A230
Also called Lumix DMC-FS11 -
Class Small Sensor Compact Entry-Level DSLR
Announced 2010-01-06 2009-05-18
Body design Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Chip - 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 area 27.7mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 10MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4320 x 3240 3872 x 2592
Highest native ISO 6400 3200
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens focal range 28-140mm (5.0x) -
Max aperture f/2.8-6.9 -
Macro focus range 5cm -
Amount of lenses - 143
Crop factor 5.9 1.5
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.7" 2.7"
Resolution of display 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.55x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/1600s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting speed 6.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 6.80 m 10.00 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync - 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
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 -
Mic input
Headphone input
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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 165g (0.36 pounds) 490g (1.08 pounds)
Physical dimensions 98 x 55 x 24mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") 128 x 97 x 68mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 images
Type of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model - NP-FH50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo
Storage slots One One
Cost at launch $160 $569