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Panasonic FH7 vs Sony W230

Portability
96
Imaging
39
Features
36
Overall
37
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH7 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230 front
Portability
95
Imaging
34
Features
25
Overall
30

Panasonic FH7 vs Sony W230 Key Specs

Panasonic FH7
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-112mm (F3.1-6.5) lens
  • 126g - 95 x 56 x 19mm
  • Introduced September 2011
  • Additionally Known as Lumix DMC-FS22
Sony W230
(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
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Panasonic FH7 vs Sony W230 Overview

The following is a detailed overview of the Panasonic FH7 and Sony W230, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by companies Panasonic and Sony. There is a crucial difference between the image resolutions of the FH7 (16MP) and W230 (12MP) but both cameras boast the same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The FH7 was unveiled 2 years after the W230 which is quite a serious gap as far as tech is concerned. Both of these cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before going right into a thorough comparison, here is a short overview of how the FH7 grades vs the W230 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FH7 over the Sony W230

 FH7 W230 
AnnouncedSeptember 2011February 2009Newer by 32 months
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Sony W230 over the Panasonic FH7

 W230 FH7 
Manual focus Very accurate focus

Common features in the Panasonic FH7 and Sony W230

 FH7 W230 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display dimensions
Display resolution230k230kEqual display resolution
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen

Panasonic FH7 vs Sony W230 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is intending to travel with your camera often, you will have to take into account its weight and measurements. The Panasonic FH7 provides exterior measurements of 95mm x 56mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7") along with a weight of 126 grams (0.28 lbs) while the Sony W230 has proportions of 95mm x 57mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") along with a weight of 156 grams (0.34 lbs).

Contrast the Panasonic FH7 and Sony W230 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you are employing during that time. The following is a front view measurements comparison of the FH7 and the W230.

Panasonic FH7 vs Sony W230 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the FH7 and W230 is 96 and 95 respectively.

Panasonic FH7 vs Sony W230 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FH7 vs Sony W230 Sensor Comparison

Often, it's hard to imagine the contrast between sensor dimensions merely by checking a spec sheet. The image below may provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the FH7 and W230.

As you can see, both of these cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but different megapixels. You should expect to see the Panasonic FH7 to give you more detail having an extra 4MP. Greater resolution will also help you crop photos more aggressively. The more modern FH7 provides an advantage when it comes to sensor technology.

Panasonic FH7 vs Sony W230 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FH7 vs Sony W230 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FH7 vs Sony W230 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FH7 Portrait photography highlights
Sony W230 Portrait photography highlights
34
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
includes face detect focusing
focusing manually not possible
lack of manual exposure
can't use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
27
you can focus manually
no manual mode
external flash not possible
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic FH7
Street photography with Sony W230
67
image stabilization (Optical)
has touch focus
lighter than competition in class (126g)
fixed screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FH7 Sports photography factors
Sony W230 Sports photography factors
40
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16MP)
includes tracking focus
max fps low (4.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FH7 Travel photography info
Sony W230 Travel photography info
71
lighter than competition in class (126g)
has touch focus
MP count decent (16MP)
flash built-in
really wide (28mm)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
does not posses selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
51
built-in flash
missing Time Lapse mode
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
wide angle not the best (30mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FH7 Landscape photography advice
Sony W230 Landscape photography advice
43
really wide (28mm)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16MP)
focusing manually not possible
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
lack of manual exposure
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
doesn't have Timelapse mode
36
you can focus manually
screen size is decent (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (30mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
no manual mode
low resolution sensor (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
missing Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FH7 Vlogging details
Sony W230 Vlogging details
34
really wide (28mm)
touchscreen capability
image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detect focusing
lighter than competition in class (126 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have microphone socket
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not the best (30mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
low res video (640 x 480 pxls)
missing external mic socket
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Panasonic FH7 vs Sony W230 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FH7 and Sony W230
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH7Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230
General Information
Brand Panasonic Sony
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH7 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230
Also called as Lumix DMC-FS22 -
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2011-09-07 2009-02-17
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by 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 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias 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 pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-112mm (4.0x) 30-120mm (4.0x)
Max aperture f/3.1-6.5 f/2.8-5.8
Macro focusing range 5cm 4cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 1 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 4.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 3.30 m 3.90 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
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) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 640x480
Video format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic port
Headphone port
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 sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 126g (0.28 lb) 156g (0.34 lb)
Physical dimensions 95 x 56 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7") 95 x 57 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 260 shots -
Battery type Battery Pack -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Price at release $149 $180