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Panasonic FP1 vs Sony A230

Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
13
Overall
26
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP1 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A230 front
Portability
69
Imaging
50
Features
40
Overall
46

Panasonic FP1 vs Sony A230 Key Specs

Panasonic FP1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 35-140mm (F3.5-5.9) lens
  • 151g - 99 x 59 x 19mm
  • Released January 2010
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
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Panasonic FP1 vs Sony A230 Overview

Lets look more closely at the Panasonic FP1 and Sony A230, one is a Ultracompact and the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by competitors Panasonic and Sony. The sensor resolution of the FP1 (12MP) and the A230 (10MP) is very similar but the FP1 (1/2.3") and A230 (APS-C) provide totally different sensor sizing.

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The FP1 was released 8 months after the A230 and they are of a similar generation. Both cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic FP1 being a Ultracompact camera and the Sony A230 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before getting straight to a step-by-step comparison, here is a quick synopsis of how the FP1 grades against the A230 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FP1 over the Sony A230

 FP1 A230 
RevealedJanuary 2010May 2009Newer by 8 months

Reasons to pick Sony A230 over the Panasonic FP1

 A230 FP1 
Manual focus Dial precise focusing

Common features in the Panasonic FP1 and Sony A230

 FP1 A230 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display size2.7"2.7"Same display measurement
Display resolution230k230kThe same display resolution
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch display Lack of Touch display

Panasonic FP1 vs Sony A230 Physical Comparison

For those who are aiming to travel with your camera, you're going to have to factor in its weight and volume. The Panasonic FP1 offers physical measurements of 99mm x 59mm x 19mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.7") with a weight of 151 grams (0.33 lbs) while the Sony A230 has sizing of 128mm x 97mm x 68mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.7") and a weight of 490 grams (1.08 lbs).

Look at the Panasonic FP1 and Sony A230 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you have during that time. Below is a front view dimension comparison of the FP1 vs the A230.

Panasonic FP1 vs Sony A230 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the FP1 and A230 is 95 and 69 respectively.

Panasonic FP1 vs Sony A230 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FP1 vs Sony A230 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it can be hard to envision the difference between sensor dimensions purely by reading specifications. The pic below will help give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the FP1 and A230.

To sum up, the 2 cameras come with different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The FP1 due to its tinier sensor will make achieving shallow depth of field more challenging and the Panasonic FP1 will deliver more detail as a result of its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will also make it easier to crop pics a good deal more aggressively. The fresher FP1 is going to have a benefit in sensor technology.

Panasonic FP1 vs Sony A230 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FP1 vs Sony A230 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FP1 vs Sony A230 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FP1 Portrait photography highlights
Sony A230 Portrait photography highlights
21
no manual focus
lack of manual exposure
no external flash support
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
54
manual focus
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
no liveview
MP count low (10 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FP1 Street photography factors
Sony A230 Street photography factors
55
built in image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
heavier than others in class (151g)
67
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
no articulating screen
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic FP1
Sports photography with Sony A230
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
max frames per second low (6.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
sensor resolution low (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
46
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
comes with phase detect autofocus
no liveview
slow fps (3.0 frames/s)
MP count low (10MP)
terrible battery life (230 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FP1 Travel photography factors
Sony A230 Travel photography factors
50
flash built-in
lack of Time Lapse mode
heavier than others in class (151g)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
wide angle not good (35mm)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
45
flash built-in
no Time Lapse recording
terrible battery life (230 CIPA)
MP count low (10 megapixels)
does not have selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FP1 Landscape photography features
Sony A230 Landscape photography features
28
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (35mm)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
lack of manual exposure
sensor resolution low (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
lack of Time Lapse mode
51
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
no liveview
MP count low (10MP)
terrible battery life (230 per charge)
no Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FP1 as a Vlogging camera
Sony A230 as a Vlogging camera
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not good (35mm)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of mic port
heavier than others in class (151g)
9
no video
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Panasonic FP1 vs Sony A230 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FP1 and Sony A230
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP1Sony Alpha DSLR-A230
General Information
Brand Panasonic Sony
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP1 Sony Alpha DSLR-A230
Category Ultracompact Entry-Level DSLR
Released 2010-01-06 2009-05-18
Body design Ultracompact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by Venus Engine IV Bionz
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 10 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4000 x 3000 3872 x 2592
Max native ISO 6400 3200
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens focal range 35-140mm (4.0x) -
Largest aperture f/3.5-5.9 -
Macro focus distance 10cm -
Number of lenses - 143
Crop factor 5.9 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.7 inch 2.7 inch
Display resolution 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.55x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/1600s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter speed 6.0 frames per second 3.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 4.90 m (Auto ISO) 10.00 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync - 1/160s
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), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) -
Max video resolution 1280x720 None
Video data format Motion JPEG -
Mic input
Headphone input
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 151 gr (0.33 lb) 490 gr (1.08 lb)
Physical dimensions 99 x 59 x 19mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.7") 128 x 97 x 68mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 - 230 images
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model - NP-FH50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo
Storage slots 1 1
Retail pricing $153 $569