Panasonic FH5 vs Sony W230
96 Imaging
38 Features
31 Overall
35


95 Imaging
34 Features
25 Overall
30
Panasonic FH5 vs Sony W230 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
- Introduced January 2011
- Also referred to as Lumix DMC-FS18
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 80 - 3200
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 640 x 480 video
- 30-120mm (F2.8-5.8) lens
- 156g - 95 x 57 x 22mm
- Announced February 2009

Panasonic FH5 vs Sony W230 Overview
Following is a extended comparison of the Panasonic FH5 versus Sony W230, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by rivals Panasonic and Sony. There is a crucial difference between the resolutions of the FH5 (16MP) and W230 (12MP) but both cameras have the same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

The FH5 was announced 23 months after the W230 making them a generation away from each other. Each of the cameras have the same body design (Compact).
Before getting straight to a in-depth comparison, here is a short summation of how the FH5 scores vs the W230 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Panasonic FH5 vs Sony W230 Gallery
This is a sample of the gallery pics for Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH5 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230. The whole galleries are viewable at Panasonic FH5 Gallery and Sony W230 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Panasonic FH5 over the Sony W230
FH5 | W230 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | January 2011 | ![]() | February 2009 | More modern by 23 months |
Reasons to pick Sony W230 over the Panasonic FH5
W230 | FH5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Dial precise focus | ||
Display dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Larger display (+0.3") |
Common features in the Panasonic FH5 and Sony W230
FH5 | W230 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | Same display resolution |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lack of selfie screen | ||
Touch display | ![]() | Lack of Touch display |
Panasonic FH5 vs Sony W230 Physical Comparison
If you're intending to carry around your camera frequently, you have to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic FH5 features 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) and the Sony W230 has dimensions of 95mm x 57mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 156 grams (0.34 lbs).
See the Panasonic FH5 versus Sony W230 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you have chosen at that moment. Here is a front view dimensions comparison of the FH5 compared to the W230.

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the FH5 and W230 is 96 and 95 respectively.

Panasonic FH5 vs Sony W230 Sensor Comparison
Oftentimes, it's tough to see the contrast between sensor sizes purely by reviewing technical specs. The picture here will help provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the FH5 and W230.
As you have seen, both cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but not the same resolution. You should expect to see the Panasonic FH5 to deliver greater detail with its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will allow you to crop images more aggressively. The newer FH5 will have an advantage in sensor tech.

Panasonic FH5 vs Sony W230 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FH5 vs Sony W230 Specifications
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH5 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Make | Panasonic | Sony |
Model | Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH5 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230 |
Otherwise known as | Lumix DMC-FS18 | - |
Class | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Compact |
Introduced | 2011-01-05 | 2009-02-17 |
Body design | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | Venus Engine IV | - |
Sensor type | CCD | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor dimensions | 6.08 x 4.56mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
Sensor area | 27.7mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16 megapixels | 12 megapixels |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Peak resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4000 x 3000 |
Highest native ISO | 6400 | 3200 |
Minimum native ISO | 100 | 80 |
RAW format | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
Touch to focus | ||
Continuous AF | ||
Single AF | ||
AF tracking | ||
Selective AF | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
AF multi area | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detect AF | ||
Contract detect AF | ||
Phase detect AF | ||
Number of focus points | 11 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 28-112mm (4.0x) | 30-120mm (4.0x) |
Maximum aperture | f/3.1-6.5 | f/2.8-5.8 |
Macro focus range | 5cm | 4cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.9 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Range of display | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display sizing | 2.7 inches | 3 inches |
Display resolution | 230 thousand dot | 230 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch operation | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 60 secs | 1 secs |
Max shutter speed | 1/1600 secs | 1/1600 secs |
Continuous shutter speed | 4.0fps | 2.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual exposure | ||
Change WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash range | 3.30 m | 3.90 m |
Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync |
External flash | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
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) | 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
Highest video resolution | 1280x720 | 640x480 |
Video file format | Motion JPEG | 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 proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 121 gr (0.27 lbs) | 156 gr (0.34 lbs) |
Physical dimensions | 94 x 54 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.7") | 95 x 57 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall score | not tested | not tested |
DXO Color Depth score | not tested | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range score | not tested | not tested |
DXO Low light score | not tested | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery life | 260 pictures | - |
Battery format | Battery Pack | - |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal | Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal |
Storage slots | Single | Single |
Retail cost | $169 | $180 |