Clicky

Panasonic FH6 vs Sony A230

Portability
96
Imaging
38
Features
29
Overall
34
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH6 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A230 front
Portability
69
Imaging
50
Features
40
Overall
46

Panasonic FH6 vs Sony A230 Key Specs

Panasonic FH6
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-120mm (F2.5-6.4) lens
  • 119g - 96 x 56 x 20mm
  • Revealed January 2012
Sony A230
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 490g - 128 x 97 x 68mm
  • Revealed May 2009
  • Replaced the Sony A200
  • Updated by Sony A290
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Panasonic FH6 vs Sony A230 Overview

In this write-up, we are looking at the Panasonic FH6 versus Sony A230, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by competitors Panasonic and Sony. There is a sizable difference between the resolutions of the FH6 (14MP) and A230 (10MP) and the FH6 (1/2.3") and A230 (APS-C) come with totally different sensor sizing.

President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

The FH6 was unveiled 2 years after the A230 which is quite a significant difference as far as tech is concerned. The two cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic FH6 being a Compact camera and the Sony A230 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before we go straight into a detailed comparison, below is a short overview of how the FH6 scores against the A230 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Body cameras now worn by bakery staff to deter stealing
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic FH6 over the Sony A230

 FH6 A230 
RevealedJanuary 2012May 2009Newer by 33 months

Reasons to pick Sony A230 over the Panasonic FH6

 A230 FH6 
Manual focus More accurate focus

Common features in the Panasonic FH6 and Sony A230

 FH6 A230 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing2.7"2.7"Equivalent display measurement
Display resolution230k230kThe same display resolution
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch display Lack of Touch display

Panasonic FH6 vs Sony A230 Physical Comparison

If you are looking to travel with your camera frequently, you will have to take into account its weight and size. The Panasonic FH6 features physical measurements of 96mm x 56mm x 20mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.8") accompanied by a weight of 119 grams (0.26 lbs) and the Sony A230 has specifications of 128mm x 97mm x 68mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.7") and a weight of 490 grams (1.08 lbs).

Take a look at the Panasonic FH6 versus Sony A230 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you have attached at the time. Below is the front view physical size comparison of the FH6 versus the A230.

Panasonic FH6 vs Sony A230 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the FH6 and A230 is 96 and 69 respectively.

Panasonic FH6 vs Sony A230 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FH6 vs Sony A230 Sensor Comparison

Usually, its tough to visualise the difference between sensor dimensions purely by going over specifications. The pic here might provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the FH6 and A230.

Plainly, both of those cameras offer different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The FH6 having a tinier sensor will make getting shallower depth of field more difficult and the Panasonic FH6 will offer you extra detail having an extra 4MP. Greater resolution will also let you crop photos a little more aggressively. The younger FH6 is going to have an edge with regard to sensor tech.

Panasonic FH6 vs Sony A230 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FH6 vs Sony A230 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FH6 vs Sony A230 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FH6 Portrait photography info
Sony A230 Portrait photography info
34
decent megapixels (14MP)
offers face detect autofocus
focusing manually not possible
no manual mode
external flash not possible
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
54
you can focus manually
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW files
does not have liveview
megapixel count low (10MP)
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Panasonic FH6 Street photography highlights
Sony A230 Street photography highlights
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (119 grams)
screen does not articulate
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
67
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW files
fixed screen
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic FH6
Sports photography with Sony A230
40
image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
great battery power (280 shots)
max frames per second very slow (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
46
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect auto focus
does not have liveview
slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
bad battery (230 per charge)
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Travel Comparison

Panasonic FH6 as a Travel photography camera
Sony A230 as a Travel photography camera
71
great battery power (280 CIPA)
lighter than competition in class (119 grams)
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
rather wide (24mm)
no Timelapse function
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f2.5)
45
flash built-in
missing Timelapse function
bad battery (230 CIPA)
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FH6 Landscape photography advice
Sony A230 Landscape photography advice
41
rather wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
great battery power (280 per charge)
focusing manually not possible
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.5)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
no manual mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
no Timelapse function
51
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW files
screen is small (2.7")
does not have liveview
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
bad battery (230 CIPA)
missing Timelapse function
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FH6 as a Vlogging camera
Sony A230 as a Vlogging camera
33
rather wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detect autofocus
lighter than competition in class (119 grams)
slow max aperture (f2.5)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
no microphone jack
9
no video recording
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Panasonic FH6 vs Sony A230 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FH6 and Sony A230
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH6Sony Alpha DSLR-A230
General Information
Brand Panasonic Sony
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH6 Sony Alpha DSLR-A230
Category Small Sensor Compact Entry-Level DSLR
Revealed 2012-01-09 2009-05-18
Body design Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Bionz
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 10 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4320 x 3240 3872 x 2592
Max native ISO 6400 3200
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens focal range 24-120mm (5.0x) -
Highest aperture f/2.5-6.4 -
Macro focus range 5cm -
Total lenses - 143
Crop factor 5.9 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.7 inch 2.7 inch
Screen resolution 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen tech TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 95%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.55x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 8 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 2.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 4.60 m 10.00 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync - 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) -
Max video resolution 1280x720 None
Video format Motion JPEG -
Microphone 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
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 119 grams (0.26 pounds) 490 grams (1.08 pounds)
Dimensions 96 x 56 x 20mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.8") 128 x 97 x 68mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 63
DXO Color Depth score not tested 22.3
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 11.4
DXO Low light score not tested 531
Other
Battery life 280 pictures 230 pictures
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - 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 Single Single
Pricing at launch $129 $569