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Panasonic FP1 vs Sony A390

Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
13
Overall
26
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP1 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A390 front
Portability
66
Imaging
54
Features
54
Overall
54

Panasonic FP1 vs Sony A390 Key Specs

Panasonic FP1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • 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 A390
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 549g - 128 x 97 x 86mm
  • Launched July 2010
  • Old Model is Sony A380
Photography Glossary

Panasonic FP1 vs Sony A390 Overview

On this page, we are comparing the Panasonic FP1 versus Sony A390, former is a Ultracompact while the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by rivals Panasonic and Sony. The image resolution of the FP1 (12MP) and the A390 (14MP) is very similar but the FP1 (1/2.3") and A390 (APS-C) boast different sensor size.

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The FP1 was manufactured 6 months prior to the A390 and they are of a similar age. Both of the cameras have different body design with the Panasonic FP1 being a Ultracompact camera and the Sony A390 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before diving straight to a step-by-step comparison, here is a short summation of how the FP1 grades versus the A390 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FP1 over the Sony A390

 FP1 A390 

Reasons to pick Sony A390 over the Panasonic FP1

 A390 FP1 
Manual focus More accurate focusing
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display

Common features in the Panasonic FP1 and Sony A390

 FP1 A390 
LaunchedJanuary 2010July 2010Similar age
Display dimensions2.7"2.7"Equal display size
Display resolution230k230kIdentical display resolution
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch display Neither comes with Touch display

Panasonic FP1 vs Sony A390 Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to carry around your camera regularly, you are going to need to take into account its weight and volume. The Panasonic FP1 comes with exterior measurements of 99mm x 59mm x 19mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.7") with a weight of 151 grams (0.33 lbs) whilst the Sony A390 has sizing of 128mm x 97mm x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") having a weight of 549 grams (1.21 lbs).

Examine the Panasonic FP1 versus Sony A390 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you use at that moment. The following is a front view measurements comparison of the FP1 and the A390.

Panasonic FP1 vs Sony A390 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the FP1 and A390 is 95 and 66 respectively.

Panasonic FP1 vs Sony A390 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FP1 vs Sony A390 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it can be tough to picture the gap between sensor sizes only by reviewing technical specs. The picture underneath might offer you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the FP1 and A390.

As you can tell, both of those cameras provide different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The FP1 because of its tinier sensor is going to make shooting shallow DOF tougher and the Sony A390 will deliver more detail due to its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will also let you crop images more aggressively.

Panasonic FP1 vs Sony A390 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FP1 vs Sony A390 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FP1 vs Sony A390 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FP1 Portrait photography details
Sony A390 Portrait photography details
21
no manual focus
lack of manual mode
cannot use external flash
MP count low (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
72
focusing manually
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports face detect focus
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FP1 as a Street photography camera
Sony A390 as a Street photography camera
55
has image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
heavier than others (151 grams)
76
screen tilts up and down
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FP1 as a Sports photography camera
Sony A390 as a Sports photography camera
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
slow continuous shooting (6.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
MP count low (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
60
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
comes with phase detect auto focus
slow fps (3.0 frames/s)
bad battery (230 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FP1 Travel photography factors
Sony A390 Travel photography factors
50
has built in flash
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
heavier than others (151g)
MP count low (12MP)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
wide angle not good (35mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
53
decent megapixels (14MP)
flash built-in
lack of Time Lapse function
bad battery (230 per charge)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FP1 Landscape photography information
Sony A390 Landscape photography information
28
has image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (35mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
small screen (2.7 inches)
lack of manual mode
MP count low (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
61
focusing manually
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
screen is small (2.7 inches)
bad battery (230 per charge)
lack of Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FP1 Vlogging factors
Sony A390 Vlogging factors
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not good (35mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have external mic jack
heavier than others (151 grams)
9
can't shoot video
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Panasonic FP1 vs Sony A390 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FP1 and Sony A390
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP1Sony Alpha DSLR-A390
General Information
Make Panasonic Sony
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP1 Sony Alpha DSLR-A390
Type Ultracompact Entry-Level DSLR
Released 2010-01-06 2010-07-28
Body design Ultracompact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor 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 area 27.7mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 14MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4000 x 3000 4592 x 3056
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens zoom range 35-140mm (4.0x) -
Maximum aperture f/3.5-5.9 -
Macro focusing distance 10cm -
Available lenses - 143
Crop factor 5.9 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen sizing 2.7 inch 2.7 inch
Screen resolution 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 95%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.49x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 6.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 4.90 m (Auto ISO) 10.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync - 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) -
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 None
Video file 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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 151g (0.33 lb) 549g (1.21 lb)
Physical dimensions 99 x 59 x 19mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.7") 128 x 97 x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 66
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 22.5
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 11.5
DXO Low light rating not tested 607
Other
Battery life - 230 shots
Type of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-FH50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo
Storage slots Single Single
Cost at launch $153 $500