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Panasonic FP1 vs Sony NEX-3

Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
13
Overall
26
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP1 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-3 front
Portability
89
Imaging
54
Features
55
Overall
54

Panasonic FP1 vs Sony NEX-3 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
  • Announced January 2010
Sony NEX-3
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 200 - 12800
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 297g - 117 x 62 x 33mm
  • Introduced June 2010
  • Refreshed by Sony NEX-C3
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Panasonic FP1 vs Sony NEX-3 Overview

Let's take a deeper look at the Panasonic FP1 and Sony NEX-3, former being a Ultracompact while the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by competitors Panasonic and Sony. The sensor resolution of the FP1 (12MP) and the NEX-3 (14MP) is relatively comparable but the FP1 (1/2.3") and NEX-3 (APS-C) feature totally different sensor dimensions.

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The FP1 was launched 5 months prior to the NEX-3 and they are both of a similar age. Each of these cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic FP1 being a Ultracompact camera and the Sony NEX-3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before getting through a complete comparison, below is a brief view of how the FP1 matches up vs the NEX-3 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FP1 over the Sony NEX-3

 FP1 NEX-3 

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-3 over the Panasonic FP1

 NEX-3 FP1 
Focus manually Very precise focusing
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen dimension3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution920k230kCrisper screen (+690k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic FP1 and Sony NEX-3

 FP1 NEX-3 
IntroducedJanuary 2010June 2010Same age
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Lacking Touch friendly screen

Panasonic FP1 vs Sony NEX-3 Physical Comparison

For those who are going to lug around your camera regularly, you have to factor in its weight and measurements. The Panasonic FP1 offers outside dimensions of 99mm x 59mm x 19mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.7") and a weight of 151 grams (0.33 lbs) and the Sony NEX-3 has proportions of 117mm x 62mm x 33mm (4.6" x 2.4" x 1.3") with a weight of 297 grams (0.65 lbs).

Look at the Panasonic FP1 and Sony NEX-3 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are working with at that moment. Underneath is the front view dimensions comparison of the FP1 compared to the NEX-3.

Panasonic FP1 vs Sony NEX-3 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the FP1 and NEX-3 is 95 and 89 respectively.

Panasonic FP1 vs Sony NEX-3 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FP1 vs Sony NEX-3 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it's difficult to visualise the gap in sensor measurements only by going through a spec sheet. The graphic here might provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the FP1 and NEX-3.

As you can see, each of these cameras posses different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The FP1 due to its smaller sensor will make achieving shallow DOF more challenging and the Sony NEX-3 will show greater detail utilizing its extra 2MP. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop shots somewhat more aggressively.

Panasonic FP1 vs Sony NEX-3 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FP1 vs Sony NEX-3 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FP1 vs Sony NEX-3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic FP1
Portrait photography with Sony NEX-3
21
lack of manual focus
no manual control
external flash not possible
low resolution (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
72
focusing manually
megapixel count decent (14MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
has face detection autofocus
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FP1 Street photography features
Sony NEX-3 Street photography features
55
image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
heavier than average (151 grams)
76
screen tilts
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW files
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FP1 as a Sports photography camera
Sony NEX-3 as a Sports photography camera
25
image stabilization (Optical)
low frames per second (6.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
low resolution (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
52
megapixel count decent (14MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
does not have image stabilization
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FP1 as a Travel photography camera
Sony NEX-3 as a Travel photography camera
50
built-in flash
missing Time Lapse mode
heavier than average (151 grams)
low resolution (12 megapixels)
does not have a selfie friendly display
wide angle not the best (35mm)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
59
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
no Time Lapse mode
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic FP1
Landscape photography with Sony NEX-3
28
image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (35mm)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
screen is small (2.7")
no manual control
low resolution (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
missing Time Lapse mode
68
focusing manually
change lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
megapixel count decent (14MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW files
does not have image stabilization
no Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FP1 Vlogging advice
Sony NEX-3 Vlogging advice
25
image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not the best (35mm)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
does not have a selfie friendly display
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing mic support
heavier than average (151g)
27
has face detection autofocus
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
no external mic port
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Panasonic FP1 vs Sony NEX-3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FP1 and Sony NEX-3
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP1Sony Alpha NEX-3
General Information
Company Panasonic Sony
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP1 Sony Alpha NEX-3
Category Ultracompact Entry-Level Mirrorless
Announced 2010-01-06 2010-06-07
Body design Ultracompact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip Venus Engine IV Bionz
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4000 x 3000 4592 x 3056
Max native ISO 6400 12800
Min native ISO 80 200
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 9 25
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Sony E
Lens focal range 35-140mm (4.0x) -
Highest aperture f/3.5-5.9 -
Macro focus range 10cm -
Amount of lenses - 121
Crop factor 5.9 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen sizing 2.7 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 230k dot 920k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen technology - TFT Xtra Fine LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 60s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/1600s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter speed 6.0 frames/s 7.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 4.90 m (Auto ISO) 12.00 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync - 1/160s
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) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 151g (0.33 pounds) 297g (0.65 pounds)
Dimensions 99 x 59 x 19mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.7") 117 x 62 x 33mm (4.6" x 2.4" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 68
DXO Color Depth score not tested 22.1
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 12.0
DXO Low light score not tested 830
Other
Battery life - 330 photos
Battery form - Battery Pack
Battery model - NPFW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images))
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots One One
Price at release $153 $0