Panasonic FH5 vs Sony A500
96 Imaging
39 Features
31 Overall
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63 Imaging
52 Features
52 Overall
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Panasonic FH5 vs Sony A500 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 6400
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 28-112mm (F3.1-6.5) lens
- 121g - 94 x 54 x 19mm
- Announced January 2011
- Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-FS18
(Full Review)
- 12MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Tilting Display
- ISO 200 - 12800
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- No Video
- Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
- 630g - 137 x 104 x 84mm
- Released August 2009
- Updated by Sony A560
Panasonic FH5 vs Sony A500 Overview
Below, we are comparing the Panasonic FH5 versus Sony A500, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by rivals Panasonic and Sony. There exists a sizable gap between the resolutions of the FH5 (16MP) and A500 (12MP) and the FH5 (1/2.3") and A500 (APS-C) possess totally different sensor size.
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created ImagesThe FH5 was introduced 17 months later than the A500 making the cameras a generation apart from one another. Each of these cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic FH5 being a Compact camera and the Sony A500 being a Compact SLR camera.
Before delving in to a step-by-step comparison, below is a short view of how the FH5 matches up versus the A500 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.
Panasonic FH5 vs Sony A500 Gallery
Here is a sample of the gallery pictures for Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH5 & Sony Alpha DSLR-A500. The whole galleries are provided at Panasonic FH5 Gallery & Sony A500 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Panasonic FH5 over the Sony A500
FH5 | A500 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | January 2011 | August 2009 | Fresher by 17 months |
Reasons to pick Sony A500 over the Panasonic FH5
A500 | FH5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | Very precise focus | |||
Display type | Tilting | Fixed | Tilting display | |
Display dimension | 3" | 2.7" | Larger display (+0.3") |
Common features in the Panasonic FH5 and Sony A500
FH5 | A500 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display resolution | 230k | 230k | Identical display resolution | |
Selfie screen | Neither includes selfie screen | |||
Touch display | Neither includes Touch display |
Panasonic FH5 vs Sony A500 Physical Comparison
If you're going to carry your camera often, you'll need to think about its weight and measurements. The Panasonic FH5 features exterior measurements of 94mm x 54mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.7") having a weight of 121 grams (0.27 lbs) while the Sony A500 has proportions of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") and a weight of 630 grams (1.39 lbs).
Look at the Panasonic FH5 versus Sony A500 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are working with at that time. Here is the front view over all size comparison of the FH5 and the A500.
Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the FH5 and A500 is 96 and 63 respectively.
Panasonic FH5 vs Sony A500 Sensor Comparison
More often than not, it is very difficult to visualise the difference between sensor sizing just by reviewing specifications. The graphic below should give you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the FH5 and A500.
Plainly, both cameras posses different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The FH5 using its tinier sensor will make getting shallow DOF trickier and the Panasonic FH5 will offer you more detail using its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will let you crop images somewhat more aggressively. The fresher FH5 will have an edge in sensor innovation.
Panasonic FH5 vs Sony A500 Screen and ViewFinder
Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
Street Comparison
Sports Comparison
Travel Comparison
Landscape Comparison
Vlogging Comparison
Panasonic FH5 vs Sony A500 Specifications
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH5 | Sony Alpha DSLR-A500 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Make | Panasonic | Sony |
Model type | Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH5 | Sony Alpha DSLR-A500 |
Alternative name | Lumix DMC-FS18 | - |
Class | Small Sensor Compact | Entry-Level DSLR |
Announced | 2011-01-05 | 2009-08-27 |
Body design | Compact | Compact SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | Venus Engine IV | Bionz |
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 | 16 megapixel | 12 megapixel |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Maximum resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4272 x 2848 |
Maximum native ISO | 6400 | 12800 |
Min native ISO | 100 | 200 |
RAW support | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detect focus | ||
Contract detect focus | ||
Phase detect focus | ||
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 range | 5cm | - |
Amount of lenses | - | 143 |
Focal length multiplier | 5.9 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Display sizing | 2.7" | 3" |
Resolution of display | 230k dot | 230k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch capability | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | Optical (pentamirror) |
Viewfinder coverage | - | 95 percent |
Viewfinder magnification | - | 0.53x |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 60 seconds | 30 seconds |
Highest shutter speed | 1/1600 seconds | 1/4000 seconds |
Continuous shooting speed | 4.0 frames per second | 5.0 frames per second |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | - | Yes |
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash distance | 3.30 m | 12.00 m |
Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless |
External flash | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Highest flash sync | - | 1/160 seconds |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) | - |
Maximum video resolution | 1280x720 | None |
Video data format | Motion JPEG | - |
Mic jack | ||
Headphone jack | ||
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 | 121g (0.27 pounds) | 630g (1.39 pounds) |
Dimensions | 94 x 54 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.7") | 137 x 104 x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around rating | not tested | 64 |
DXO Color Depth rating | not tested | 21.8 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | not tested | 11.6 |
DXO Low light rating | not tested | 772 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 260 photographs | 520 photographs |
Form of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | - | NP-FM500H |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Storage media | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal | SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
Storage slots | 1 | 1 |
Pricing at launch | $169 | $638 |