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Panasonic FH6 vs Sony NEX-F3

Portability
96
Imaging
38
Features
29
Overall
34
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH6 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-F3 front
Portability
86
Imaging
57
Features
60
Overall
58

Panasonic FH6 vs Sony NEX-F3 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
  • Announced January 2012
Sony NEX-F3
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 200 - 16000
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 314g - 117 x 67 x 42mm
  • Released August 2012
  • Older Model is Sony NEX-C3
  • Updated by Sony NEX-3N
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Panasonic FH6 vs Sony NEX-F3 Overview

On this page, we are evaluating the Panasonic FH6 versus Sony NEX-F3, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by brands Panasonic and Sony. The image resolution of the FH6 (14MP) and the NEX-F3 (16MP) is fairly well matched but the FH6 (1/2.3") and NEX-F3 (APS-C) offer different sensor measurements.

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The FH6 was released 7 months prior to the NEX-F3 so they are both of a similar generation. Both cameras have different body design with the Panasonic FH6 being a Compact camera and the Sony NEX-F3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go straight to a step-by-step comparison, here is a brief highlight of how the FH6 scores versus the NEX-F3 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FH6 over the Sony NEX-F3

 FH6 NEX-F3 

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-F3 over the Panasonic FH6

 NEX-F3 FH6 
ReleasedAugust 2012January 2012Fresher by 7 months
Manually focus More exact focusing
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution920k230kCrisper display (+690k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic FH6 and Sony NEX-F3

 FH6 NEX-F3 
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch display Neither features Touch display

Panasonic FH6 vs Sony NEX-F3 Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to carry your camera, you have to think about its weight and size. The Panasonic FH6 enjoys exterior dimensions of 96mm x 56mm x 20mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.8") with a weight of 119 grams (0.26 lbs) whilst the Sony NEX-F3 has specifications of 117mm x 67mm x 42mm (4.6" x 2.6" x 1.7") accompanied by a weight of 314 grams (0.69 lbs).

Contrast the Panasonic FH6 versus Sony NEX-F3 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you have at the time. Below is a front view dimensions comparison of the FH6 versus the NEX-F3.

Panasonic FH6 vs Sony NEX-F3 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the FH6 and NEX-F3 is 96 and 86 respectively.

Panasonic FH6 vs Sony NEX-F3 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FH6 vs Sony NEX-F3 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is hard to imagine the contrast between sensor sizing just by looking at technical specs. The visual below may give you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the FH6 and NEX-F3.

As you have seen, both of those cameras provide different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The FH6 because of its tinier sensor is going to make achieving shallow depth of field harder and the Sony NEX-F3 will give you more detail as a result of its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will help you crop images more aggressively. The older FH6 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor technology.

Panasonic FH6 vs Sony NEX-F3 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FH6 vs Sony NEX-F3 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FH6 vs Sony NEX-F3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FH6 Portrait photography advice
Sony NEX-F3 Portrait photography advice
34
good MP (14 megapixels)
features face detect focus
lack of manual focus
manual exposure not available
no external flash support
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
74
focusing manually
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FH6 Street photography factors
Sony NEX-F3 Street photography factors
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (119 grams)
screen is fixed
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
76
screen tilts up and down
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FH6 as a Sports photography camera
Sony NEX-F3 as a Sports photography camera
40
image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (14 megapixels)
good battery power (280 shots)
max frames per second low (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
53
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
better than average battery (470 per charge)
max frames per second very slow (6.0 frames per second)
does not have image stabilization
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FH6 as a Travel photography camera
Sony NEX-F3 as a Travel photography camera
71
good battery power (280 shots)
lighter than competition (119 grams)
good MP (14MP)
has built in flash
decently wide (24mm)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.5)
69
better than average battery (470 shots)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
lack of Time Lapse recording
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FH6 Landscape photography factors
Sony NEX-F3 Landscape photography factors
41
decently wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (14MP)
good battery power (280 CIPA)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.5)
small screen (2.7 inches)
manual exposure not available
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
doesn't have Timelapse mode
70
focusing manually
swap lenses (Sony E mount)
pretty good screen size (3")
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
better than average battery (470 CIPA)
does not have image stabilization
lack of Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FH6 Vlogging features
Sony NEX-F3 Vlogging features
33
decently wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect focus
lighter than competition (119 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.5)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have microphone port
27
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
lack of mic jack
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Panasonic FH6 vs Sony NEX-F3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FH6 and Sony NEX-F3
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH6Sony Alpha NEX-F3
General Information
Make Panasonic Sony
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH6 Sony Alpha NEX-F3
Category Small Sensor Compact Entry-Level Mirrorless
Announced 2012-01-09 2012-08-16
Body design Compact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Bionz
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4320 x 3240 4912 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 6400 16000
Min native ISO 100 200
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 9 25
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Sony E
Lens zoom range 24-120mm (5.0x) -
Maximal aperture f/2.5-6.4 -
Macro focusing range 5cm -
Total lenses - 121
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen diagonal 2.7" 3"
Screen resolution 230k dot 920k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen technology TFT Color LCD TFT Xtra Fine LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic (optional)
Features
Slowest shutter speed 8 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 2.0fps 6.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 4.60 m -
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync - 1/160 seconds
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) 1920 x 1080 (60, 24 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
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 119 grams (0.26 lbs) 314 grams (0.69 lbs)
Physical dimensions 96 x 56 x 20mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.8") 117 x 67 x 42mm (4.6" x 2.6" x 1.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 73
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 22.7
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.3
DXO Low light rating not tested 1114
Other
Battery life 280 images 470 images
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - NPFW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec 3 or 5 images)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots 1 1
Launch pricing $129 $470