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Panasonic FP2 vs Sony A230

Portability
95
Imaging
36
Features
17
Overall
28
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP2 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A230 front
Portability
69
Imaging
50
Features
40
Overall
46

Panasonic FP2 vs Sony A230 Key Specs

Panasonic FP2
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 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
  • Launched January 2010
Sony A230
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 490g - 128 x 97 x 68mm
  • Released May 2009
  • Older Model is Sony A200
  • Successor is Sony A290
Photography Glossary

Panasonic FP2 vs Sony A230 Overview

Its time to look a bit more closely at the Panasonic FP2 versus Sony A230, one being a Ultracompact and the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by rivals Panasonic and Sony. There exists a significant gap between the sensor resolutions of the FP2 (14MP) and A230 (10MP) and the FP2 (1/2.3") and A230 (APS-C) boast different sensor dimensions.

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The FP2 was released 8 months later than the A230 which means that they are both of a similar generation. Both the cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic FP2 being a Ultracompact camera and the Sony A230 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before delving right into a step-by-step comparison, here is a quick synopsis of how the FP2 matches up against the A230 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FP2 over the Sony A230

 FP2 A230 
ReleasedJanuary 2010May 2009Fresher by 8 months

Reasons to pick Sony A230 over the Panasonic FP2

 A230 FP2 
Focus manually Very precise focusing

Common features in the Panasonic FP2 and Sony A230

 FP2 A230 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size2.7"2.7"Same screen sizing
Screen resolution230k230kEqual screen resolution
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither comes with Touch friendly screen

Panasonic FP2 vs Sony A230 Physical Comparison

If you're planning to carry your camera regularly, you will need to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic FP2 comes with outer dimensions of 99mm x 59mm x 19mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.7") accompanied by a weight of 151 grams (0.33 lbs) whilst the Sony A230 has dimensions of 128mm x 97mm x 68mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.7") and a weight of 490 grams (1.08 lbs).

Take a look at the Panasonic FP2 versus Sony A230 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you have at that moment. Below is a front view over all size comparison of the FP2 against the A230.

Panasonic FP2 vs Sony A230 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the FP2 and A230 is 95 and 69 respectively.

Panasonic FP2 vs Sony A230 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FP2 vs Sony A230 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is very tough to visualize the gap between sensor sizing only by reading through specs. The photograph underneath will provide you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the FP2 and A230.

As you can plainly see, both the cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The FP2 due to its tinier sensor is going to make shooting shallow DOF tougher and the Panasonic FP2 will give more detail as a result of its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will allow you to crop pictures way more aggressively. The younger FP2 provides an edge in sensor technology.

Panasonic FP2 vs Sony A230 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FP2 vs Sony A230 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FP2 vs Sony A230 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FP2 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony A230 as a Portrait photography camera
28
MP count good (14MP)
no manual focus
manual mode not available
can't use external flash
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
54
manual focus
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
doesn't have liveview
sensor resolution low (10MP)
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FP2 as a Street photography camera
Sony A230 as a Street photography camera
55
has image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
more heavy than average (151 grams)
67
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
fixed screen
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FP2 as a Sports photography camera
Sony A230 as a Sports photography camera
34
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (14 megapixels)
slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
46
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect autofocus
doesn't have liveview
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
not so great battery (230 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FP2 Travel photography information
Sony A230 Travel photography information
56
MP count good (14MP)
built-in flash
doesn't have Timelapse function
more heavy than average (151 grams)
does not have selfie friendly display
wide angle not good (35mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
45
has built in flash
does not have Timelapse recording
not so great battery (230 CIPA)
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic FP2
Landscape photography with Sony A230
32
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (14 megapixels)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (35mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
manual mode not available
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
doesn't have Timelapse function
51
manual focus
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
small screen (2.7")
doesn't have liveview
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
not so great battery (230 shots)
does not have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic FP2
Vlogging with Sony A230
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not good (35mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
does not have selfie friendly display
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have microphone port
more heavy than average (151g)
9
can't record video
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Panasonic FP2 vs Sony A230 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FP2 and Sony A230
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP2Sony Alpha DSLR-A230
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Sony
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP2 Sony Alpha DSLR-A230
Category Ultracompact Entry-Level DSLR
Launched 2010-01-06 2009-05-18
Body design Ultracompact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Chip Venus Engine IV Bionz
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 10 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4320 x 3240 3872 x 2592
Max native ISO 6400 3200
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens focal range 35-140mm (4.0x) -
Maximum aperture f/3.5-5.9 -
Macro focus distance 10cm -
Amount of lenses - 143
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.7" 2.7"
Screen resolution 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 95%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.55x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 5.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 4.90 m 10.00 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync - 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) -
Max video resolution 1280x720 None
Video format Motion JPEG -
Microphone 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
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 151g (0.33 lbs) 490g (1.08 lbs)
Physical dimensions 99 x 59 x 19mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.7") 128 x 97 x 68mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 63
DXO Color Depth score not tested 22.3
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 11.4
DXO Low light score not tested 531
Other
Battery life - 230 images
Battery form - Battery Pack
Battery model - NP-FH50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo
Storage slots 1 1
Cost at launch $80 $569