Panasonic FP2 vs Sony A580

On this page, we will be reviewing the Panasonic FP2 and Sony A580, one being a Ultracompact and the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by competitors Panasonic and Sony. The sensor resolution of the FP2 (14MP) and the A580 (16MP) is relatively similar but the FP2 (1/2.3") and A580 (APS-C) posses different sensor dimensions.

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The FP2 was manufactured 16 months prior to the A580 which makes them a generation apart from one another. Each of the cameras have different body design with the Panasonic FP2 being a Ultracompact camera and the Sony A580 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before diving straight to a thorough comparison, here is a concise summation of how the FP2 matches up vs the A580 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Following is a preview of the gallery photos for Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP2 and Sony Alpha DSLR-A580. The entire galleries are available at Panasonic FP2 Gallery and Sony A580 Gallery.

If you are intending to lug around your camera frequently, you should take into account its weight and size. The Panasonic FP2 has outside measurements of 99mm x 59mm x 19mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.7") along with a weight of 151 grams (0.33 lbs) and the Sony A580 has specifications of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") with a weight of 599 grams (1.32 lbs).

Look at the Panasonic FP2 and Sony A580 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are utilising during that time. Below is a front view measurement comparison of the FP2 against the A580.

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the FP2 and A580 is 95 and 64 respectively.

Sometimes, it's difficult to imagine the contrast between sensor measurements merely by reviewing technical specs. The visual underneath will help give you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the FP2 and A580.

As you have seen, each of these cameras provide different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The FP2 featuring a tinier sensor is going to make achieving shallower DOF more challenging and the Sony A580 will offer you more detail due to its extra 2MP. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop photographs more aggressively. The older FP2 is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor technology.