Clicky

Panasonic FH5 vs Sony A390

Portability
96
Imaging
39
Features
31
Overall
35
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH5 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A390 front
Portability
66
Imaging
54
Features
54
Overall
54

Panasonic FH5 vs Sony A390 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
  • Other Name is Lumix DMC-FS18
Sony A390
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 549g - 128 x 97 x 86mm
  • Revealed July 2010
  • Succeeded the Sony A380
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Panasonic FH5 vs Sony A390 Overview

Below is a thorough comparison of the Panasonic FH5 and Sony A390, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by competitors Panasonic and Sony. The resolution of the FH5 (16MP) and the A390 (14MP) is relatively well matched but the FH5 (1/2.3") and A390 (APS-C) enjoy totally different sensor sizes.

Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

The FH5 was announced 6 months later than the A390 so they are both of a similar generation. Both cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic FH5 being a Compact camera and the Sony A390 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before we go through a step-by-step comparison, below is a concise synopsis of how the FH5 scores versus the A390 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Body cameras now worn by bakery staff to deter stealing
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic FH5 over the Sony A390

 FH5 A390 

Reasons to pick Sony A390 over the Panasonic FH5

 A390 FH5 
Manual focus More exact focus
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen

Common features in the Panasonic FH5 and Sony A390

 FH5 A390 
RevealedJanuary 2011July 2010Similar generation
Screen dimension2.7"2.7"Identical screen dimensions
Screen resolution230k230kEqual screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch friendly screen No Touch friendly screen

Panasonic FH5 vs Sony A390 Physical Comparison

If you are intending to lug around your camera frequently, you should think about its weight and measurements. The Panasonic FH5 has physical dimensions of 94mm x 54mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.7") and a weight of 121 grams (0.27 lbs) while the Sony A390 has proportions of 128mm x 97mm x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") with a weight of 549 grams (1.21 lbs).

Check the Panasonic FH5 and Sony A390 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you choose at the time. Below is the front view dimension comparison of the FH5 compared to the A390.

Panasonic FH5 vs Sony A390 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the FH5 and A390 is 96 and 66 respectively.

Panasonic FH5 vs Sony A390 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FH5 vs Sony A390 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it's hard to envision the contrast between sensor measurements simply by reading through a spec sheet. The visual underneath will help provide you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the FH5 and A390.

Clearly, both of these cameras have got different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The FH5 with its tinier sensor will make achieving bokeh trickier and the Panasonic FH5 will resolve extra detail with its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop photographs much more aggressively.

Panasonic FH5 vs Sony A390 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FH5 vs Sony A390 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FH5 vs Sony A390 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FH5 Portrait photography features
Sony A390 Portrait photography features
34
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
offers face detection focusing
focusing manually not possible
manual mode not available
no external flash support
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
72
has manual focus
decent MP (14 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
provides face detection focusing
saves RAW formats
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Street Comparison

Panasonic FH5 Street photography information
Sony A390 Street photography information
67
built in image stabilization (Optical)
has focus by touch
lighter than competitors in class (121 grams)
screen does not articulate
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
76
tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Sports Comparison

Panasonic FH5 Sports photography advice
Sony A390 Sports photography advice
40
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
offers tracking autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (4.0 fps)
no shutter priority
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
60
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (14 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
comes with phase detect AF
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
not so great battery (230 per charge)
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Travel Comparison

Panasonic FH5 as a Travel photography camera
Sony A390 as a Travel photography camera
71
lighter than competitors in class (121g)
has focus by touch
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
rather wide (28mm)
lack of Time Lapse mode
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
53
decent MP (14MP)
flash built-in
lack of Time Lapse mode
not so great battery (230 shots)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic FH5
Landscape photography with Sony A390
38
rather wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
focusing manually not possible
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
small screen (2.7 inches)
manual mode not available
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
lack of Time Lapse mode
61
has manual focus
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (14 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
small screen (2.7")
not so great battery (230 CIPA)
lack of Time Lapse mode
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic FH5
Vlogging with Sony A390
33
rather wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection focusing
lighter than competitors in class (121g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of external mic port
9
no video shooting
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Panasonic FH5 vs Sony A390 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FH5 and Sony A390
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH5Sony Alpha DSLR-A390
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Sony
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH5 Sony Alpha DSLR-A390
Also called Lumix DMC-FS18 -
Category Small Sensor Compact Entry-Level DSLR
Introduced 2011-01-05 2010-07-28
Body design Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by Venus Engine IV 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 surface area 27.7mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 14MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4608 x 3456 4592 x 3056
Highest native ISO 6400 3200
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens zoom range 28-112mm (4.0x) -
Maximal aperture f/3.1-6.5 -
Macro focusing range 5cm -
Number of lenses - 143
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen diagonal 2.7" 2.7"
Screen resolution 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 95%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.49x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 4.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set 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
Maximum flash sync - 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) -
Highest video resolution 1280x720 None
Video file 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
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 121 grams (0.27 pounds) 549 grams (1.21 pounds)
Dimensions 94 x 54 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.7") 128 x 97 x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 66
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 22.5
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 11.5
DXO Low light rating not tested 607
Other
Battery life 260 photographs 230 photographs
Type 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
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo
Storage slots 1 1
Launch cost $169 $500