Panasonic Lumix FP1 vs Sony Cyber-shot S950: The Ultimate Ultracompact Camera Comparison

Choosing the right ultracompact camera can feel like navigating a labyrinth of specs and options that often blur into one another. Today, I’m dissecting two intriguing contenders from the late 2000s: Panasonic’s Lumix DMC-FP1 and Sony’s Cyber-shot DSC-S950. Both released within a year of each other, these models sit squarely in the pocketable compact category but differ in design philosophy and feature sets. I’ve spent hours putting these cameras through their paces - testing image quality, handling, autofocus, and more - to deliver a comprehensive, practical review that will help both enthusiasts and professionals understand their strengths and compromises.

Let’s dive deep into what each camera offers - no fluff, just clear, experience-backed insight.

Size, Build, and Handling: Compact Convenience in Your Hand

The Panasonic FP1 and Sony S950 may be close in footprint but handle differently due to subtle design differences. The FP1 leans toward an ultra-slim profile, while the S950 is a bit chunkier but arguably more ergonomic.

At 99×59×19 mm and 151 grams, the Panasonic FP1 is impressively sleek - one of the thinnest cameras of its day - great for slipping into a jacket pocket or purse without adding bulk. However, that slimness means the grip area is minimal, making it less stable during extended shooting or with larger hands.

By contrast, the Sony S950 measures 93×56×24 mm and weighs 167 grams. Though slightly heavier, the S950’s thicker body affords a more reassuring grip, especially for users who prioritize control over minimalism. Its compactness doesn’t sacrifice usability - the textured body adds confidence while shooting handheld.

For travel or street photographers prioritizing stealth and quick accessibility, Panasonic’s slimness wins. But if you want a firmer hold, particularly in colder weather or longer sessions, the Sony’s chunkier design suits better.

Control Layout and User Interface: Operational Efficiency in Action

With ultracompacts, simplicity often trumps complexity, but how the controls are laid out significantly affects user experience and speed.

The Panasonic FP1 design embraces minimalism with the Venus Engine IV processor powering fast image processing. The controls are straightforward but limited; exposure and manual focus modes are absent, and settings rely on simple button pushes. Despite that, the high shooting rate of 6 fps continuous capture is impressive for such a compact - ideal for reactive snapshots.

Sony’s S950 presents a more traditional compact camera setup, with finer manual focus control, though it lacks aperture or shutter priority modes as well. Its drawback shows in a slower 1 fps continuous shooting speed, making it less suitable for action scenes but fine for casual and deliberate shooting.

Neither model features touchscreens or electronic viewfinders, but both offer live view on fixed 2.7-inch LCDs, each with a resolution of 230k dots. The user interface on both cameras is straightforward but obviously basic by modern standards. You won’t find complex exposure compensation or advanced custom settings here.

Sensor and Image Quality: The Heart of the Camera Experience

Both cameras feature the common ultracompact 1/2.3" CCD sensors, but Panasonic edges slightly ahead in resolution at 12 MP compared to Sony’s 10 MP. Sensor area is roughly the same (Panasonic: 27.72 mm² vs Sony: 28.07 mm²), meaning overall image quality differences come down to processing and lens quality.

Panasonic FP1 Sensor

The FP1’s sensor, paired with the Venus Engine IV processor, tends to deliver punchy colors and decent detail at base ISO 80. Noise performance peaks by ISO 800, with noticeable grain starting at ISO 1600 and worsening at the maximum ISO 6400. Panasonic’s anti-aliasing filter mitigates moiré artifacts but can slightly soften the image in fine detail areas.

Sony S950 Sensor

Sony’s 10 MP CCD sensor is well-tuned with sensor-shift optical stabilization, which impresses in handheld low-light scenarios. However, maximum native ISO caps at 3200, limiting flexibility in darker conditions. Color rendition leans slightly toward cooler tones compared to Panasonic's warmer palette.

Both cameras do not offer RAW file support, so JPEG compression and in-camera processing significantly influence output quality - Panasonic’s stronger JPEG engine contributes to sharper images with better edge definition.

Autofocus Performance: Speed and Accuracy for Every Shot

Autofocus in compact cameras of this era is never going to rival modern mirrorless or DSLR systems, but there are nuances.

Both cameras employ contrast-detection autofocus systems with 9 focus points - notably no phase detection or hybrid systems. I found the Panasonic FP1 generally faster in focusing and more consistent in achieving lock, especially in well-lit environments. Its 6 fps burst shooting can only be fully utilized thanks to this snappier AF.

The Sony S950’s autofocus is slower and sometimes hunts noticeably in low-contrast scenes. Its sensor-shift stabilization helps with handheld steadiness but doesn’t accelerate focus; in fact, the stabilization can delay AF slightly due to mechanical movements.

Neither camera supports face or eye detection autofocus, a significant limitation for portrait photographers seeking precise focus metrics.

Lens Characteristics: Versatility and Image Rendering

Panasonic’s fixed lens spans 35-140mm (equivalent) with an aperture range of f/3.5-5.9, while Sony’s spans 33-132mm at f/3.3-5.2. Both offer 4x optical zoom and a close macro focusing distance of about 10 cm.

From my experience, the Panasonic’s lens exhibits slightly better sharpness at the wide end, though both degrade marginally toward the telephoto limit. Distortion and chromatic aberrations are minimal but present, as expected in ultracompacts.

Sony’s lens offers marginally faster maximum apertures, providing a thumb-sized advantage in dim scenes or for creative depth of field effects. Optical stabilization in the Sony supports sharper images at slower shutter speeds.

For macro photography, both excel at close focusing but lack dedicated macro modes or focus stacking. Panasonic’s optical stabilization helps reduce shake during close-ups.

Photography Genres: Who Stands Out Where?

Let’s apply their capabilities to different photography disciplines to see which camera best fits your interests.

Portrait Photography

With neither camera supporting autofocus face or eye detection, achieving sharp focus on eyes relies heavily on user patience. Panasonic’s faster AF and higher resolution favors slightly better portrait results with more detail in skin textures.

Bokeh is limited by the slow lens apertures and small sensors, so neither camera excels at creamy backgrounds.

Landscape Photography

Panasonic’s 12 MP sensor and better wide-angle sharpness make it the preferred choice for landscapes. However, ultracompacts’ small sensor size limits dynamic range, so shooting in raw or HDR would have been a plus - absent here.

Both lack weather sealing, so shoot landscapes in fair weather.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

Neither camera is suited to demanding wildlife or fast-action shooting. Panasonic’s 6 fps burst and faster AF marginally help for casual sports snaps, but 1 fps and slower autofocus in Sony limit usability.

Long telephotos are also difficult with a maximum zoom around 140mm equivalent - not ideal for capturing distant subjects.

Street Photography

Here, the ultracompact size and discreet design of the Panasonic FP1 shine. Its slim profile makes it less conspicuous, and the fast AF supports quick candid shots. Sony feels bulkier and slower operationally.

Macro Photography

Both deliver decent close-focus capabilities (about 10cm minimum). Panasonic’s optical stabilizer aids usability, but otherwise macro prowess is average.

Night and Astro Photography

Low-light capabilities are constrained by small sensors and maximum ISOs (FP1 goes up to 6400, Sony to 3200). Noise rapidly degrades image quality beyond ISO 800.

Neither camera supports bulb mode or manual exposure control, limiting astro photography use.

Video Functionality: Basic But Serviceable

Panasonic FP1 records at 720p (1280x720) 30 fps in Motion JPEG format. Sony lacks dedicated video recording modes.

While the Panasonic’s video quality is basic by today’s standards, it’s smooth enough for casual clips. No external mic inputs or stabilization beyond optical reduce audio and motion quality for professional use.

Battery Life, Storage, and Connectivity

Both cameras support removable storage - Panasonic uses SD/SDHC/SDXC cards, Sony uses Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo. Battery information wasn’t specified, but expect roughly 200-300 shots per charge based on era averages.

Neither supports wireless connectivity standards - no Wi-Fi, NFC, or Bluetooth - or any form of live external device connection.

USB 2.0 allows data transfer but no tethered shooting.

Comprehensive Performance Ratings

Our exhaustive testing across resolution, color, dynamic range, autofocus, and handling attributes finds the Panasonic FP1 slightly edging out the Sony S950 in most categories.

Performance Across Photography Genres

Zooming into genre-specific strengths reinforces this:

Final Recommendations: Finding Your Ultracompact Fit

Choose the Panasonic Lumix FP1 if you:

• Prioritize a slim, ultra-portable camera for street and travel photography.
• Need faster burst rates for casual action shots.
• Value slightly higher resolution and better sharpness at wider focal lengths.
• Want basic HD video recording capabilities.
• Can compromise on ergonomics and manual control.

Choose the Sony Cyber-shot S950 if you:

• Prefer a sturdier, chunkier body providing a firmer grip.
• Appreciate sensor-shift stabilization to smooth handhold shakes in low light.
• Desire marginally faster lens apertures at the telephoto end.
• Primarily shoot static scenes without rapid shooting requirements.
• Are invested in the Memory Stick ecosystem and prefer that storage format.

Closing Thoughts: Context Is Key with Ultracompacts

Both cameras represent interesting snapshots of ultracompact camera design circa 2009–2010. The Panasonic FP1 feels like an experiment in minimalist elegance with practical autofocus speed, while the Sony S950 plays the role of comfortable, stabilized shooter.

Neither will satisfy professional needs beyond casual snapshot or travel companionship, given their limited manual controls, small sensors, and dated processing. Yet, for enthusiasts seeking a convenient secondary camera or first step into digital photography, they offer lessons in form factor tradeoffs and the incremental enhancements of their era.

The real winner depends on your priorities: speed and sleekness or stability and control - both viable under specific use cases.

I trust my hands-on experience and systematic testing here helps you make an informed choice. Should you want a camera optimized for specialized genres like wildlife or sports, modern mirrorless or DSLR systems remain necessary. But for anyone intent on pocket-sized photography with respectable image quality, understanding the nuances between Panasonic FP1 and Sony S950 is invaluable.

Happy shooting!