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Panasonic FP2 vs Sony A500

Portability
95
Imaging
36
Features
17
Overall
28
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP2 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A500 front
Portability
63
Imaging
52
Features
52
Overall
52

Panasonic FP2 vs Sony A500 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
  • Introduced January 2010
Sony A500
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 200 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 630g - 137 x 104 x 84mm
  • Announced August 2009
  • Replacement is Sony A560
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Panasonic FP2 vs Sony A500 Overview

Lets look more closely at the Panasonic FP2 and Sony A500, one being a Ultracompact and the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by companies Panasonic and Sony. The resolution of the FP2 (14MP) and the A500 (12MP) is very similar but the FP2 (1/2.3") and A500 (APS-C) provide totally different sensor dimensions.

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The FP2 was brought out 5 months later than the A500 which means that they are both of a similar generation. Each of these cameras have different body design with the Panasonic FP2 being a Ultracompact camera and the Sony A500 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before delving straight to a detailed comparison, here is a brief highlight of how the FP2 grades against the A500 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FP2 over the Sony A500

 FP2 A500 

Reasons to pick Sony A500 over the Panasonic FP2

 A500 FP2 
Manually focus Very precise focusing
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")

Common features in the Panasonic FP2 and Sony A500

 FP2 A500 
AnnouncedJanuary 2010August 2009Similar generation
Display resolution230k230kEqual display resolution
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch display Neither features Touch display

Panasonic FP2 vs Sony A500 Physical Comparison

When you are going to carry your camera regularly, you will have to consider its weight and volume. The Panasonic FP2 enjoys external measurements of 99mm x 59mm x 19mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.7") accompanied by 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") and a weight of 630 grams (1.39 lbs).

Look at the Panasonic FP2 and Sony A500 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you have at that moment. The following is a front view overall size comparison of the FP2 against the A500.

Panasonic FP2 vs Sony A500 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the FP2 and A500 is 95 and 63 respectively.

Panasonic FP2 vs Sony A500 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FP2 vs Sony A500 Sensor Comparison

Often, its difficult to see the difference between sensor sizing simply by reviewing specifications. The graphic here might give you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the FP2 and A500.

To sum up, both of the cameras provide different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The FP2 because of its tinier sensor will make achieving bokeh trickier and the Panasonic FP2 will offer greater detail having its extra 2MP. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop pics more aggressively.

Panasonic FP2 vs Sony A500 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FP2 vs Sony A500 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FP2 vs Sony A500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FP2 Portrait photography info
Sony A500 Portrait photography info
28
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
no manual focus
no manual mode
can't use external flash
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
63
focusing manually
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports face detect autofocus
supports RAW formats
low MP (12 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FP2 as a Street photography camera
Sony A500 as a Street photography camera
55
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
more heavy than average (151g)
74
screen tilts
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FP2 Sports photography info
Sony A500 Sports photography info
34
built in image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
51
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect autofocus
low frames per second (5.0 frames per second)
low MP (12MP)
low battery pack (520 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FP2 Travel photography information
Sony A500 Travel photography information
56
resolution is good (14MP)
has built in flash
missing Timelapse function
more heavy than average (151 grams)
does not have selfie friendly display
wide angle not good (35mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
43
flash built-in
missing Timelapse mode
low battery pack (520 per charge)
low MP (12 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FP2 Landscape photography details
Sony A500 Landscape photography details
32
built in image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (35mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
tiny screen (2.7")
no manual mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
missing Timelapse function
60
focusing manually
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen is a decent size (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
low MP (12 megapixels)
low battery pack (520 shots)
missing Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FP2 Vlogging features
Sony A500 Vlogging features
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not good (35mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
does not have selfie friendly display
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing microphone port
more heavy than average (151 grams)
9
can't record video
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Panasonic FP2 vs Sony A500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FP2 and Sony A500
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP2Sony Alpha DSLR-A500
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Sony
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP2 Sony Alpha DSLR-A500
Category Ultracompact Entry-Level DSLR
Introduced 2010-01-06 2009-08-27
Body design Ultracompact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Venus Engine IV Bionz
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4320 x 3240 4272 x 2848
Maximum native ISO 6400 12800
Lowest native ISO 80 200
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens zoom range 35-140mm (4.0x) -
Maximum aperture f/3.5-5.9 -
Macro focusing distance 10cm -
Available lenses - 143
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen size 2.7 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 95%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.53x
Features
Min shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 5.0 frames/s 5.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 4.90 m 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
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync - 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) -
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 None
Video format Motion JPEG -
Microphone input
Headphone input
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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 151 grams (0.33 pounds) 630 grams (1.39 pounds)
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 Overall 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 photos
Battery format - Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots Single Single
Launch price $80 $638