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Panasonic FH3 vs Sony A700

Portability
94
Imaging
36
Features
21
Overall
30
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH3 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A700 front
Portability
58
Imaging
51
Features
58
Overall
53

Panasonic FH3 vs Sony A700 Key Specs

Panasonic FH3
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F2.8-6.9) lens
  • 165g - 98 x 55 x 24mm
  • Launched January 2010
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-FS11
Sony A700
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 768g - 142 x 105 x 80mm
  • Introduced December 2007
  • Replaced the Konica Minolta 7D
  • Renewed by Sony A77
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Panasonic FH3 vs Sony A700 Overview

On this page, we will be comparing the Panasonic FH3 vs Sony A700, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Advanced DSLR by companies Panasonic and Sony. The image resolution of the FH3 (14MP) and the A700 (12MP) is pretty comparable but the FH3 (1/2.3") and A700 (APS-C) offer totally different sensor size.

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The FH3 was unveiled 2 years after the A700 which is a fairly large difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of the cameras have different body design with the Panasonic FH3 being a Compact camera and the Sony A700 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before delving right into a full comparison, here is a short synopsis of how the FH3 matches up versus the A700 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FH3 over the Sony A700

 FH3 A700 
IntroducedJanuary 2010December 2007Newer by 25 months

Reasons to pick Sony A700 over the Panasonic FH3

 A700 FH3 
Manually focus Dial precise focus
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution920k230kCrisper screen (+690k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic FH3 and Sony A700

 FH3 A700 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither comes with Touch friendly screen

Panasonic FH3 vs Sony A700 Physical Comparison

When you are going to travel with your camera, you're going to have to think about its weight and proportions. The Panasonic FH3 comes with outside measurements of 98mm x 55mm x 24mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") and a weight of 165 grams (0.36 lbs) and the Sony A700 has measurements of 142mm x 105mm x 80mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.1") with a weight of 768 grams (1.69 lbs).

Check out the Panasonic FH3 vs Sony A700 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you have attached at that time. Following is a front view sizing comparison of the FH3 against the A700.

Panasonic FH3 vs Sony A700 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the FH3 and A700 is 94 and 58 respectively.

Panasonic FH3 vs Sony A700 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FH3 vs Sony A700 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is very tough to envision the difference in sensor dimensions just by seeing specs. The pic below might give you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the FH3 and A700.

All in all, both of those cameras have different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The FH3 having a smaller sensor will make shooting shallower DOF harder and the Panasonic FH3 will produce more detail having an extra 2MP. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop shots a bit more aggressively. The younger FH3 is going to have a benefit with regard to sensor tech.

Panasonic FH3 vs Sony A700 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FH3 vs Sony A700 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FH3 vs Sony A700 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FH3 Portrait photography advice
Sony A700 Portrait photography advice
28
good resolution (14MP)
no manual focus
manual mode not available
external flash not possible
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
54
focusing manually
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
no liveview feature
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FH3 as a Street photography camera
Sony A700 as a Street photography camera
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
64
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
environment sealing
screen is fixed
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FH3 Sports photography highlights
Sony A700 Sports photography highlights
34
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (14MP)
continuous shooting slow (6.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
56
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
environment sealing
comes with phase detect auto focus
no liveview feature
slow fps (5.0 frames/s)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Panasonic FH3 as a Travel photography camera
Sony A700 as a Travel photography camera
64
good resolution (14MP)
flash built-in
decently wide (28mm)
does not have Time Lapse function
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
49
environment sealing
has built in flash
does not have Time Lapse mode
megapixel count low (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FH3 Landscape photography factors
Sony A700 Landscape photography factors
37
decently wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (14MP)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
manual mode not available
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
does not have Time Lapse function
62
focusing manually
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
environment sealing
two card slots
no liveview feature
megapixel count low (12MP)
does not have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FH3 Vlogging information
Sony A700 Vlogging information
29
decently wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
display is not selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have external mic jack
9
can't record video
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Panasonic FH3 vs Sony A700 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FH3 and Sony A700
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH3Sony Alpha DSLR-A700
General Information
Make Panasonic Sony
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH3 Sony Alpha DSLR-A700
Also Known as Lumix DMC-FS11 -
Type Small Sensor Compact Advanced DSLR
Launched 2010-01-06 2007-12-19
Physical type Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4320 x 3240 4272 x 2848
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 9 11
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens focal range 28-140mm (5.0x) -
Maximum aperture f/2.8-6.9 -
Macro focus distance 5cm -
Amount of lenses - 143
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.7 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 230 thousand dots 920 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 95%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.6x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 6.0 frames per second 5.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 6.80 m 12.00 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, rear curtain, Off
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize - 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) -
Max video resolution 1280x720 None
Video file format Motion JPEG -
Mic port
Headphone port
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 165g (0.36 lb) 768g (1.69 lb)
Physical dimensions 98 x 55 x 24mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") 142 x 105 x 80mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 66
DXO Color Depth score not tested 22.3
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 11.9
DXO Low light score not tested 581
Other
Battery model - NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal Compact Flash (Type I or II), Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo
Card slots Single Dual
Price at launch $160 $1,000