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Panasonic FH8 vs Sony A58

Portability
96
Imaging
39
Features
32
Overall
36
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH8 front
 
Sony SLT-A58 front
Portability
68
Imaging
63
Features
72
Overall
66

Panasonic FH8 vs Sony A58 Key Specs

Panasonic FH8
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-120mm (F2.5-6.4) lens
  • 123g - 96 x 57 x 19mm
  • Revealed January 2012
Sony A58
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 16000 (Raise to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 492g - 129 x 95 x 78mm
  • Launched November 2013
  • Previous Model is Sony A57
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Panasonic FH8 vs Sony A58 Overview

On this page, we will be reviewing the Panasonic FH8 and Sony A58, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by brands Panasonic and Sony. The sensor resolution of the FH8 (16MP) and the A58 (20MP) is relatively comparable but the FH8 (1/2.3") and A58 (APS-C) posses different sensor sizes.

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The FH8 was revealed 22 months prior to the A58 which makes them a generation away from one another. The two cameras have different body design with the Panasonic FH8 being a Compact camera and the Sony A58 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before we go straight to a full comparison, here is a quick highlight of how the FH8 matches up versus the A58 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FH8 over the Sony A58

 FH8 A58 
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")

Reasons to pick Sony A58 over the Panasonic FH8

 A58 FH8 
LaunchedNovember 2013January 2012Newer by 22 months
Focus manually More precise focus
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution460k230kClearer screen (+230k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic FH8 and Sony A58

 FH8 A58 
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither includes Touch friendly screen

Panasonic FH8 vs Sony A58 Physical Comparison

If you are planning to travel with your camera frequently, you have to think about its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic FH8 features exterior measurements of 96mm x 57mm x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") along with a weight of 123 grams (0.27 lbs) and the Sony A58 has dimensions of 129mm x 95mm x 78mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 3.1") and a weight of 492 grams (1.08 lbs).

Compare the Panasonic FH8 and Sony A58 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you have attached at the time. Following is a front view scale comparison of the FH8 and the A58.

Panasonic FH8 vs Sony A58 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the FH8 and A58 is 96 and 68 respectively.

Panasonic FH8 vs Sony A58 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FH8 vs Sony A58 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it's difficult to imagine the gap in sensor dimensions merely by checking out specs. The image here should offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the FH8 and A58.

All in all, both of the cameras provide different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The FH8 using its smaller sensor is going to make achieving bokeh more difficult and the Sony A58 will show extra detail because of its extra 4MP. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop pictures more aggressively. The more aged FH8 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor technology.

Panasonic FH8 vs Sony A58 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FH8 vs Sony A58 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FH8 vs Sony A58 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic FH8
Portrait photography with Sony A58
34
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
provides face detection focus
no manual focus
manual exposure not possible
no external flash support
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
77
focusing manually
good megapixels (20MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
has face detect focusing
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FH8 Street photography details
Sony A58 Street photography details
63
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (123 grams)
screen is fixed
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
78
tilting screen
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Panasonic FH8 as a Sports photography camera
Sony A58 as a Sports photography camera
40
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
provides tracking autofocus
max frames per second very slow (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
81
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (20MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
has tracking focus
better than average battery life (690 per charge)
supports phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FH8 Travel photography info
Sony A58 Travel photography info
69
lighter than competition (123g)
megapixel count good (16MP)
flash built-in
fairly wide (24mm)
lack of Timelapse mode
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f2.5)
63
better than average battery life (690 shots)
good megapixels (20MP)
flash built-in
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FH8 Landscape photography details
Sony A58 Landscape photography details
43
fairly wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.5)
manual exposure not possible
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
lack of Timelapse mode
70
focusing manually
switch lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (20MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
better than average battery life (690 CIPA)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FH8 Vlogging information
Sony A58 Vlogging information
33
fairly wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detection focus
lighter than competition (123 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f2.5)
display is not selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of external microphone port
35
image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detect focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
comes with mic support
display is not selfie friendly
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Panasonic FH8 vs Sony A58 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FH8 and Sony A58
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH8Sony SLT-A58
General Information
Make Panasonic Sony
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH8 Sony SLT-A58
Type Small Sensor Compact Entry-Level DSLR
Revealed 2012-01-09 2013-11-27
Physical type Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.2 x 15.4mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 357.3mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 20MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 -
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 5456 x 3632
Max native ISO 6400 16000
Max enhanced ISO - 25600
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 23 15
Cross type focus points - 3
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens zoom range 24-120mm (5.0x) -
Maximal aperture f/2.5-6.4 -
Macro focusing distance 4cm -
Available lenses - 143
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1.6
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display sizing 3 inches 2.7 inches
Display resolution 230k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display technology TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,440k dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.65x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 8s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/1600s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter rate 1.0fps 8.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 5.60 m 10.00 m (@ ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction -
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize - 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4 MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Mic support
Headphone support
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 sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 123g (0.27 lb) 492g (1.08 lb)
Physical dimensions 96 x 57 x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") 129 x 95 x 78mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 3.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 74
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.3
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.5
DXO Low light rating not tested 753
Other
Battery life 260 images 690 images
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) -
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots One One
Retail price $149 $645