Panasonic FP1 vs Sony RX100 VI: A Deep Dive Into Two Compact Contenders

When selecting a compact camera, photographers often face a spectrum of options - from affordable, simple point-and-shoot models to sophisticated large-sensor compacts that blur the line with mirrorless cameras. Today, I’m comparing two ultra-portable cameras that fit into these categories but hail from different eras and ambitions: the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP1, launched in 2010, and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 VI, a 2018 powerhouse with a cult following among enthusiasts and pros seeking compact versatility.

This detailed comparison is grounded in hands-on testing and technical analysis alongside real-world shooting experience. Over the past 15 years, I’ve tested thousands of cameras for ergonomics, sensor performance, autofocus, and more - so let’s unpack where these two cameras stand in terms of image quality, handling, speed, and suitability across various photography genres.

First Impressions: Size, Build, and Handling

At a glance, the Panasonic FP1 and Sony RX100 VI tell very different stories. The FP1 is an ultracompact camera, weighing a mere 151 grams and measuring just 99x59x19 mm, making it an ultra-pocketable traveler’s companion. Its small size limits grip and customization options, but it fits easily in a jacket pocket or purse.

Contrast that with the RX100 VI’s slightly beefier frame: 102x58x43 mm and around 301 grams, the RX100 VI undeniably feels more substantial, closer to a typical advanced compact. The heft translates into more robust construction and a comfortable grip - essential for steadier shooting and longer sessions.

The FP1's minimalist design sacrifices many physical controls; with no manual focus ring and limited exposure settings, it’s built for point-and-shoot simplicity rather than enthusiast control. The RX100 VI, meanwhile, features a design optimized for quick access to manual controls, including a customizable control ring on the lens, customizable buttons, and an excellent thumb rest - a boon for serious shooters who want control on the fly. The RX100 VI also boasts a pop-up electronic viewfinder, crucial for bright outdoor shooting where LCDs struggle.

If you’re hunting for the ideal pocketable form, the FP1 wins on sheer size and weight. But if ergonomic comfort and tactile control matter, the RX100 VI takes the cake.

Design and Interface: Control Layouts Compared

Taking a look at the top decks of these cameras reveals their intended user base. The FP1 embraces simplicity with a shutter button, zoom toggle, and flash pop-up only. No dedicated exposure controls or dials limit creative image capture flexibility.

In contrast, the RX100 VI’s top panel features a mode dial covering everything from full Auto to manual exposure modes, paired with a dedicated exposure compensation dial and a zoom lever integrated with the shutter button. The RX100 VI also includes a built-in pop-up flash and an electronic viewfinder toggle - small features that significantly improve user experience.

Sony’s addition of a touchscreen LCD with tilt functionality (which we’ll discuss shortly) contrasts with the FP1’s fixed, low-res 2.7-inch screen.

For photographers who crave manual exposure and direct access to shooting parameters, the RX100 VI’s layout is far superior; the FP1 prioritizes pocket-size and ease of use.

Sensor, Resolution & Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

This contrast is where the generational gulf swings hard in the RX100 VI’s favor. The FP1 has a 1/2.3” CCD sensor, measuring 6.08x4.56 mm with an area of about 27.7 mm², and a resolution of 12 megapixels. This sensor size is typical for entry-level compacts from its era - adequate for casual prints and web sharing, but limited in dynamic range, noise control, and overall image fidelity.

On the other hand, the RX100 VI houses a 1” back-illuminated CMOS sensor measuring 13.2x8.8 mm, 116.16 mm² in area, with a 20-megapixel resolution. The sensor leap places it closer to APS-C performance than typical compacts. It delivers exceptional dynamic range, low noise at high ISOs, and retains fine details impressively well.

In real-world tests, the FP1’s images perform best under good lighting; shadow detail clips quickly and noise becomes intrusive past ISO 400 - no surprise for a decade-old CCD of this size. The RX100 VI offers clean files even at ISO 3200 and above, and its high resolution allows for cropping or large-print output without compromise.

Color rendition differs as well - the RX100 VI’s BSI CMOS sensor and modern image processor yield vibrant yet natural colors with good tonal gradation, while the FP1’s somewhat dated sensor can produce flatter color and less accurate skin tones in mixed lighting.

Visibility and Interface: Screen and Viewfinder Experience

The FP1’s 2.7-inch fixed LCD with 230k dots is below modern standards. It struggles outdoors in sunlight, with limited viewing angles and no touchscreen capabilities, making menu navigation somewhat clunky.

The RX100 VI sports a 3-inch tilting touchscreen LCD with 1.2 million dots, elevating usability. Touch focus, tap-to-shoot, and intuitive menu navigation improve workflow, while the tilt mechanism allows low-angle or overhead shooting with ease. Under bright sun, the optional pop-up electronic viewfinder (EVF) with 2.35 million dots and 100% coverage is an invaluable asset for composing tightly and reviewing images without glare.

This difference profoundly affects street photography and travel, where quick framing and immediate feedback matter.

Autofocus Speed, Accuracy & Systems at Work

Performance-wise, autofocus delineates the cameras dramatically. The FP1 relies on a slower, contrast-detection AF system with just nine focus points. It lacks face detection, tracking, or continuous AF modes - typical for its era and sensor type.

The RX100 VI is remarkable in this department. It combines 315 phase-detection AF points with 25 contrast-detection AF points, enabling hybrid autofocus that excels in speed and precision. Face and eye detection autofocus are supported, although Sony has reserved animal eye AF for newer models.

Continuous AF tracking and AF-C modes facilitate capturing moving subjects with relative ease - a boon for wildlife and sports shots. In my field tests, the RX100 VI lock-on autofocus is quick and reliable in good light, with low latency in focusing and re-focusing.

The FP1, conversely, can struggle to lock focus outdoors or in low light and is best suited to still, well-lit subjects.

Lens and Zoom: Flexibility vs Quality

The Panasonic FP1 sports a modest 35-140mm (equivalent) fixed lens with a 4x zoom and aperture range of f/3.5–5.9. While optically decent for casual shooting, the limited telephoto reach and slower aperture limit artistic control and indoor performance.

The RX100 VI shines with an 8.3x zoom lens covering 24-200mm equivalent and a wider aperture range of f/2.8–4.5, offering excellent versatility from wide landscapes to mid-telephoto portraits and wildlife. The zoom lens incorporates a customizable control ring, adding a tactile dimension to aperture or focus adjustments on the fly.

Optical quality outpaces the FP1 handily - sharpness remains consistent across the focal range with minor distortion or chromatic aberration, and optical image stabilization also helps on longer focal lengths.

For enthusiasts who want a compact superzoom with professional-grade optics, the RX100 VI is a standout.

Mechanical Excellence: Build Quality and Weather Resistance

Neither camera offers substantial weather sealing or rugged features. Both are primarily designed for casual or enthusiast use rather than harsh professional environments.

The FP1’s plastic construction feels less sturdy, reflective of its bargain segment, whereas the RX100 VI is solidly built with a metal chassis giving a reassuring heft and durability - but it’s not weather sealed either.

For outdoor landscape or wildlife shooters working in tricky environments, these models should be treated as delicate tools or backed up with protective gear.

Burst, Shutter Speed, and Low-Light Performance

The FP1 offers a maximum shutter speed of 1/1600s and continuous shooting up to 6 frames per second, which is respectable for a compact but limited in high-speed scenarios like sports.

The RX100 VI improves with shutter speeds up to 1/2000s, plus an electronic shutter of 1/32000s for ultra-fast capture, suppressing rolling shutter artifacts in fast action. Its continuous shooting hits a blistering 24fps, ideal for tracking rapid movement.

Low light is where sensor sensitivity and image stabilization matter. The FP1 maxes out at ISO 6400, but image quality degrades starting at ISO 400. The RX100 VI handles ISO 12800 natively, and interestingly, offers a boosted ISO 25600 option - meaning it can manage dimly-lit venues, indoor events, or night street photography much more comfortably.

Both feature optical image stabilization, but the RX100 VI’s modern system is more effective and pairs well with faster apertures.

Video Capabilities: From Casual Clips to 4K Quality

Video is another domain where the RX100 VI strides far ahead. The FP1 shoots 720p HD video at 30 fps in Motion JPEG - a rather dated format with large file sizes and limited editing flexibility. No microphone input, no advanced video options.

The RX100 VI shoots 4K UHD at 30 fps with efficient XAVC S encoding and supports slow motion, time-lapse via an app, and full manual control over exposure during video. Unfortunately, like most compacts in its class, it lacks external microphone or headphone jacks, which limits audio monitoring during production.

Nonetheless, video quality and flexibility far exceed what the Panasonic FP1 can deliver. This makes Sony’s offering a better choice for hybrid still/video shooters looking for a capable pocket companion.

Battery Life and Storage: Practical Considerations

The Panasonic FP1’s battery life is not officially published, but in my usage, expect anywhere from 150-200 shots per charge, typical for compact cameras of its period.

Sony RX100 VI uses the NP-BX1 battery, rated for about 240 shots, which I found to be a solid everyday range - though heavy video shooting or extended burst mode reduce longevity. USB charging is an added convenience missing from the FP1.

Both cameras support SD/SDHC/SDXC cards, but only the RX100 VI adds support for Sony’s Memory Stick format, which adds flexibility for existing Sony users.

Final Tallies: Scores and Genre-Specific Strengths

Evaluating these cameras across core disciplines reveals a predictably wide performance gap.

The RX100 VI dominates in nearly all categories: portrait work benefits from large sensor and eye detect AF; landscape photographers praise its dynamic range and sharpness; wildlife and sports shooters appreciate the fast AF and 24fps burst; street photography fans like discreet form plus an EVF and silent shoot modes; macro capabilities improve slightly with close focusing; and night/astro photography is viable thanks to improved ISO and sensor tech.

The FP1 finds modest footing mostly as a travel and casual everyday camera due to its ultra-compact size and basic capabilities. Its limited zoom and image quality hold back professional or enthusiast applications.

Who Should Buy Which Camera?

• Choose the Panasonic FP1 if:
  You want a small, lightweight camera for casual snapshots or travel with an ultra-pocketable form, don’t need manual controls, and have a modest budget (~$150).

• Choose the Sony RX100 VI if:
  You demand excellent image quality, versatile zoom, fast and reliable autofocus, 4K video, and advanced controls in a compact form. This camera suits enthusiasts, pros needing a capable pocket solution, and those venturing into demanding genres like wildlife or street photography willing to invest ~$1200.

It’s clear the RX100 VI is the superior camera in almost every way, but the FP1’s affordability and simplicity still have niche appeal.

Summary: Evolution of Compact Camera Excellence

The Panasonic Lumix FP1 and Sony Cyber-shot RX100 VI represent two distinct chapters in compact camera design. The FP1 symbolizes the ultra-portable point-and-shoots of the early 2010s - small, affordable, but with significant compromises. Meanwhile, the RX100 VI exemplifies how compact cameras evolved into nearly mirrorless-quality tools, packing cutting-edge sensors, lenses, and features in a pocket-friendly chassis.

Our thorough comparison combines sensor analysis, AF performance testing, ergonomic evaluation, and image quality reviews grounded in years of experience with many camera lines. Choosing between these models hinges on your photographic ambitions and budget. I hope this breakdown arms you with the nuanced insights needed to make an informed decision - because when buying a camera, understanding the strengths and limits in context is just as important as pixel counts or specs sheets.

Happy shooting!