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Panasonic FH5 vs Sony A380

Portability
96
Imaging
39
Features
31
Overall
35
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH5 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A380 front
Portability
68
Imaging
53
Features
54
Overall
53

Panasonic FH5 vs Sony A380 Key Specs

Panasonic FH5
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-112mm (F3.1-6.5) lens
  • 121g - 94 x 54 x 19mm
  • Introduced January 2011
  • Additionally Known as Lumix DMC-FS18
Sony A380
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 519g - 128 x 97 x 71mm
  • Introduced August 2009
  • Replaced the Sony A350
  • Successor is Sony A390
Photography Glossary

Panasonic FH5 vs Sony A380 Overview

On this page, we will be comparing the Panasonic FH5 versus Sony A380, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by rivals Panasonic and Sony. The resolution of the FH5 (16MP) and the A380 (14MP) is relatively close but the FH5 (1/2.3") and A380 (APS-C) offer different sensor sizing.

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The FH5 was unveiled 17 months later than the A380 which makes them a generation apart from one another. Each of these cameras have different body design with the Panasonic FH5 being a Compact camera and the Sony A380 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before going straight to a comprehensive comparison, here is a simple overview of how the FH5 matches up versus the A380 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FH5 over the Sony A380

 FH5 A380 
IntroducedJanuary 2011August 2009More recent by 17 months

Reasons to pick Sony A380 over the Panasonic FH5

 A380 FH5 
Manual focus Dial exact focus
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen

Common features in the Panasonic FH5 and Sony A380

 FH5 A380 
Screen dimensions2.7"2.7"Equal screen measurement
Screen resolution230k230kIdentical screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither features Touch friendly screen

Panasonic FH5 vs Sony A380 Physical Comparison

In case you're aiming to lug around your camera often, you're going to have to consider its weight and proportions. The Panasonic FH5 enjoys external measurements of 94mm x 54mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.7") and a weight of 121 grams (0.27 lbs) whilst the Sony A380 has measurements of 128mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.8") along with a weight of 519 grams (1.14 lbs).

Contrast the Panasonic FH5 versus Sony A380 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you are employing at the time. Here is a front view measurements comparison of the FH5 and the A380.

Panasonic FH5 vs Sony A380 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the FH5 and A380 is 96 and 68 respectively.

Panasonic FH5 vs Sony A380 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FH5 vs Sony A380 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it's difficult to visualize the difference in sensor measurements just by looking through specs. The photograph here should give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the FH5 and A380.

All in all, each of the cameras have different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The FH5 having a smaller sensor is going to make shooting shallow DOF more difficult and the Panasonic FH5 will result in extra detail having an extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will enable you to crop pictures a bit more aggressively. The newer FH5 should have an edge when it comes to sensor innovation.

Panasonic FH5 vs Sony A380 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FH5 vs Sony A380 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FH5 vs Sony A380 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FH5 Portrait photography highlights
Sony A380 Portrait photography highlights
34
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
offers face detection autofocus
no manual focus
lack of manual mode
cannot use external flash
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
71
manual focus
decent megapixels (14MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
includes face detect focus
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FH5 Street photography highlights
Sony A380 Street photography highlights
67
has image stabilization (Optical)
has focus via touch
lighter than others (121g)
screen does not articulate
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
76
tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic FH5
Sports photography with Sony A380
40
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
offers tracking autofocus
low fps (4.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
59
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports phase detect auto focus
continuous shooting slow (3.0 frames/s)
terrible battery pack (500 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FH5 Travel photography features
Sony A380 Travel photography features
71
lighter than others (121 grams)
has focus via touch
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (28mm)
no Timelapse function
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
53
decent megapixels (14MP)
has built in flash
missing Time Lapse function
terrible battery pack (500 CIPA)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FH5 Landscape photography features
Sony A380 Landscape photography features
38
reasonably wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
no manual focus
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
lack of manual mode
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
no Timelapse function
61
manual focus
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (14MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
terrible battery pack (500 shots)
missing Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FH5 Vlogging highlights
Sony A380 Vlogging highlights
33
reasonably wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection autofocus
lighter than others (121 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
no external microphone socket
9
no video
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Panasonic FH5 vs Sony A380 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FH5 and Sony A380
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH5Sony Alpha DSLR-A380
General Information
Brand Panasonic Sony
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH5 Sony Alpha DSLR-A380
Also called Lumix DMC-FS18 -
Class Small Sensor Compact Entry-Level DSLR
Introduced 2011-01-05 2009-08-24
Physical type Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Venus Engine IV Bionz
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.6 x 15.8mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 372.9mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 4592 x 3056
Max native ISO 6400 3200
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens zoom range 28-112mm (4.0x) -
Highest aperture f/3.1-6.5 -
Macro focusing distance 5cm -
Total lenses - 143
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen sizing 2.7" 2.7"
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 95%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.49x
Features
Min shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 4.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 3.30 m 10.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize - 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) -
Max video resolution 1280x720 None
Video data 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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 121 grams (0.27 lb) 519 grams (1.14 lb)
Physical dimensions 94 x 54 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.7") 128 x 97 x 71mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 67
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 22.6
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 11.8
DXO Low light rating not tested 614
Other
Battery life 260 photos 500 photos
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-FH50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo
Card slots 1 1
Price at release $169 $899