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Panasonic FH8 vs Sony A77

Portability
96
Imaging
39
Features
32
Overall
36
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH8 front
 
Sony SLT-A77 front
Portability
59
Imaging
63
Features
83
Overall
71

Panasonic FH8 vs Sony A77 Key Specs

Panasonic FH8
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-120mm (F2.5-6.4) lens
  • 123g - 96 x 57 x 19mm
  • Released January 2012
Sony A77
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 50 - 16000 (Expand to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 732g - 143 x 104 x 81mm
  • Launched October 2011
  • Older Model is Sony A700
  • Replacement is Sony A77 II
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Panasonic FH8 vs Sony A77 Overview

Here is a thorough review of the Panasonic FH8 and Sony A77, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Advanced DSLR by brands Panasonic and Sony. There exists a crucial gap between the image resolutions of the FH8 (16MP) and A77 (24MP) and the FH8 (1/2.3") and A77 (APS-C) boast totally different sensor sizing.

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The FH8 was introduced 3 months later than the A77 so they are both of a similar generation. The two cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic FH8 being a Compact camera and the Sony A77 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before we go straight to a in depth comparison, here is a concise synopsis of how the FH8 scores vs the A77 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FH8 over the Sony A77

 FH8 A77 

Reasons to pick Sony A77 over the Panasonic FH8

 A77 FH8 
Focus manually Very accurate focus
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display resolution921k230kSharper display (+691k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Common features in the Panasonic FH8 and Sony A77

 FH8 A77 
LaunchedJanuary 2012October 2011Similar generation
Display size3"3"Same display measurement
Touch friendly display Lack of Touch friendly display

Panasonic FH8 vs Sony A77 Physical Comparison

For those who are planning to carry your camera often, you'll have to factor in its weight and size. The Panasonic FH8 comes with physical dimensions of 96mm x 57mm x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") and a weight of 123 grams (0.27 lbs) and the Sony A77 has specifications of 143mm x 104mm x 81mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.2") with a weight of 732 grams (1.61 lbs).

Check the Panasonic FH8 and Sony A77 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are utilising at that moment. Underneath is a front view sizing comparison of the FH8 and the A77.

Panasonic FH8 vs Sony A77 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the FH8 and A77 is 96 and 59 respectively.

Panasonic FH8 vs Sony A77 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FH8 vs Sony A77 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is difficult to see the contrast between sensor sizing only by checking specs. The photograph below may provide you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the FH8 and A77.

As you can plainly see, the two cameras come with different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The FH8 having a tinier sensor will make shooting shallow DOF harder and the Sony A77 will give more detail using its extra 8MP. Greater resolution will make it easier to crop images a good deal more aggressively.

Panasonic FH8 vs Sony A77 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FH8 vs Sony A77 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FH8 vs Sony A77 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FH8 Portrait photography features
Sony A77 Portrait photography features
34
megapixel count good (16MP)
offers face detection autofocus
lack of manual focus
manual exposure not possible
no external flash support
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
77
focusing manually
sensor resolution is decent (24MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports face detect autofocus
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FH8 Street photography features
Sony A77 Street photography features
63
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (123g)
screen is fixed
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
74
screen articulates fully
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
environment proofing
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic FH8
Sports photography with Sony A77
40
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
offers tracking autofocus
slow frames per second (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
74
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (24 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
environment proofing
has phase detect autofocus
low battery pack (470 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic FH8
Travel photography with Sony A77
69
lighter than competitors in class (123g)
megapixel count good (16MP)
built-in flash
decently wide (24mm)
does not have Time Lapse function
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.5)
62
environment proofing
sensor resolution is decent (24 megapixels)
flash built-in
selfie friendly display
does not have Timelapse mode
low battery pack (470 shots)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FH8 Landscape photography advice
Sony A77 Landscape photography advice
43
decently wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.5)
manual exposure not possible
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
does not have Time Lapse function
71
focusing manually
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen size is decent (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (24MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
environment proofing
low battery pack (470 shots)
does not have Timelapse mode
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FH8 Vlogging advice
Sony A77 Vlogging advice
33
decently wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection autofocus
lighter than competitors in class (123 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.5)
display is not selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have external mic jack
76
selfie friendly display
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detect autofocus
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
has microphone socket
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Panasonic FH8 vs Sony A77 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FH8 and Sony A77
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH8Sony SLT-A77
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Sony
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH8 Sony SLT-A77
Type Small Sensor Compact Advanced DSLR
Released 2012-01-09 2011-10-25
Physical type Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Bionz
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 24 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 6000 x 4000
Max native ISO 6400 16000
Max enhanced ISO - 25600
Min native ISO 100 50
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 23 19
Cross type focus points - 11
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens zoom range 24-120mm (5.0x) -
Largest aperture f/2.5-6.4 -
Macro focusing range 4cm -
Total lenses - 143
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Screen sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 230k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen tech TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,359k dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.73x
Features
Min shutter speed 8 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 1.0fps 12.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 5.60 m 12.00 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize - 1/250 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60, 24 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 640 x 424 (29.97 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4 MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 123 grams (0.27 pounds) 732 grams (1.61 pounds)
Physical dimensions 96 x 57 x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") 143 x 104 x 81mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.2")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 78
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 24.0
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 13.2
DXO Low light rating not tested 801
Other
Battery life 260 images 470 images
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots One One
Launch price $149 $900