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Panasonic FP1 vs Sony A500

Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
13
Overall
26
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP1 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A500 front
Portability
63
Imaging
52
Features
52
Overall
52

Panasonic FP1 vs Sony A500 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
  • Introduced January 2010
Sony A500
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 200 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 630g - 137 x 104 x 84mm
  • Introduced August 2009
  • Updated by Sony A560
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Panasonic FP1 vs Sony A500 Overview

On this page, we will be analyzing the Panasonic FP1 versus Sony A500, one is a Ultracompact and the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by manufacturers Panasonic and Sony. The image resolution of the FP1 (12MP) and the A500 (12MP) is pretty well matched but the FP1 (1/2.3") and A500 (APS-C) boast different sensor size.

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The FP1 was brought out 5 months after the A500 and they are of a similar generation. Both cameras have different body design with the Panasonic FP1 being a Ultracompact camera and the Sony A500 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before going straight to a full comparison, here is a quick summary of how the FP1 scores versus the A500 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FP1 over the Sony A500

 FP1 A500 

Reasons to pick Sony A500 over the Panasonic FP1

 A500 FP1 
Manual focus Very exact focusing
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")

Common features in the Panasonic FP1 and Sony A500

 FP1 A500 
IntroducedJanuary 2010August 2009Similar generation
Screen resolution230k230kThe same screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Missing Touch friendly screen

Panasonic FP1 vs Sony A500 Physical Comparison

If you're intending to travel with your camera, you need to factor in its weight and volume. The Panasonic FP1 enjoys outer dimensions of 99mm x 59mm x 19mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.7") along with a weight of 151 grams (0.33 lbs) and the Sony A500 has sizing of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") with a weight of 630 grams (1.39 lbs).

Analyze the Panasonic FP1 versus Sony A500 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are working with during that time. Following is a front view scale comparison of the FP1 and the A500.

Panasonic FP1 vs Sony A500 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the FP1 and A500 is 95 and 63 respectively.

Panasonic FP1 vs Sony A500 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FP1 vs Sony A500 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it's difficult to visualize the contrast between sensor dimensions simply by reading through specs. The pic below will help offer you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the FP1 and A500.

As you can plainly see, the two cameras have the same resolution albeit different sensor dimensions. The FP1 includes the tinier sensor which will make obtaining bokeh more difficult.

Panasonic FP1 vs Sony A500 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FP1 vs Sony A500 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FP1 vs Sony A500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FP1 Portrait photography advice
Sony A500 Portrait photography advice
21
no manual focus
lack of manual exposure
no external flash support
low MP (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
63
focusing manually
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports face detect focusing
exports RAW formats
sensor resolution low (12MP)
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FP1 Street photography factors
Sony A500 Street photography factors
55
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
heavier than competitors in class (151 grams)
74
tilting screen
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FP1 Sports photography factors
Sony A500 Sports photography factors
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
max frames per second low (6.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
low MP (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
51
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
comes with phase detect AF
slow fps (5.0 frames/s)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
bad battery power (520 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic FP1
Travel photography with Sony A500
50
has built in flash
doesn't have Time Lapse function
heavier than competitors in class (151g)
low MP (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not good (35mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
43
built-in flash
no Time Lapse function
bad battery power (520 shots)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FP1 Landscape photography factors
Sony A500 Landscape photography factors
28
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (35mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
lack of manual exposure
low MP (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
doesn't have Time Lapse function
60
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
sensor resolution low (12MP)
bad battery power (520 CIPA)
no Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FP1 Vlogging features
Sony A500 Vlogging features
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not good (35mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have mic port
heavier than competitors in class (151 grams)
9
can't record video
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Panasonic FP1 vs Sony A500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FP1 and Sony A500
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP1Sony Alpha DSLR-A500
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Sony
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP1 Sony Alpha DSLR-A500
Category Ultracompact Entry-Level DSLR
Introduced 2010-01-06 2009-08-27
Body design Ultracompact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Venus Engine IV Bionz
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4000 x 3000 4272 x 2848
Maximum native ISO 6400 12800
Lowest native ISO 80 200
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens zoom range 35-140mm (4.0x) -
Highest aperture f/3.5-5.9 -
Macro focusing distance 10cm -
Total lenses - 143
Crop factor 5.9 1.5
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Tilting
Display sizing 2.7 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.53x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/1600s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting speed 6.0 frames/s 5.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 4.90 m (Auto ISO) 12.00 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest 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) -
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 None
Video file format Motion JPEG -
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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 151 gr (0.33 lbs) 630 gr (1.39 lbs)
Physical dimensions 99 x 59 x 19mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.7") 137 x 104 x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 64
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 21.8
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 11.6
DXO Low light rating not tested 772
Other
Battery life - 520 shots
Battery form - Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-FM500H
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/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots Single Single
Retail price $153 $638