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Panasonic FP2 vs Sony W230

Portability
95
Imaging
36
Features
17
Overall
28
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP2 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230 front
Portability
95
Imaging
34
Features
25
Overall
30

Panasonic FP2 vs Sony W230 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 W230
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 30-120mm (F2.8-5.8) lens
  • 156g - 95 x 57 x 22mm
  • Revealed February 2009
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Panasonic FP2 vs Sony W230 Overview

Below, we will be evaluating the Panasonic FP2 versus Sony W230, one is a Ultracompact and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by manufacturers Panasonic and Sony. The image resolution of the FP2 (14MP) and the W230 (12MP) is relatively close and they use the exact same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The FP2 was announced 11 months after the W230 so they are of a similar generation. Both of the cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic FP2 being a Ultracompact camera and the Sony W230 being a Compact camera.

Before going straight into a comprehensive comparison, below is a simple synopsis of how the FP2 matches up vs the W230 for portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FP2 over the Sony W230

 FP2 W230 
RevealedJanuary 2010February 2009More modern by 11 months

Reasons to pick Sony W230 over the Panasonic FP2

 W230 FP2 
Focus manually Very precise focus
Screen dimension3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")

Common features in the Panasonic FP2 and Sony W230

 FP2 W230 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kIdentical screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Absent Touch friendly screen

Panasonic FP2 vs Sony W230 Physical Comparison

When you are going to carry around your camera, you will have to factor in its weight and volume. The Panasonic FP2 offers exterior measurements of 99mm x 59mm x 19mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.7") with a weight of 151 grams (0.33 lbs) and the Sony W230 has sizing of 95mm x 57mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") along with a weight of 156 grams (0.34 lbs).

Contrast the Panasonic FP2 versus Sony W230 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are using at the time. Following is the front view scale comparison of the FP2 versus the W230.

Panasonic FP2 vs Sony W230 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the FP2 and W230 is 95 and 95 respectively.

Panasonic FP2 vs Sony W230 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FP2 vs Sony W230 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is difficult to see the difference in sensor sizes just by researching a spec sheet. The pic here might provide you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the FP2 and W230.

As you can see, each of the cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements albeit not the same resolution. You should count on the Panasonic FP2 to result in more detail with its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop shots much more aggressively. The younger FP2 will have a benefit with regard to sensor innovation.

Panasonic FP2 vs Sony W230 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FP2 vs Sony W230 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FP2 vs Sony W230 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FP2 Portrait photography highlights
Sony W230 Portrait photography highlights
28
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
no manual focus
manual mode not possible
can't use external flash
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
27
focusing manually
manual exposure not available
cannot use external flash
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FP2 Street photography advice
Sony W230 Street photography advice
55
has image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
heavier than average in class (151g)
56
image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FP2 as a Sports photography camera
Sony W230 as a Sports photography camera
34
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
continuous shooting slow (5.0 fps)
no shutter priority
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
25
image stabilization (Optical)
painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FP2 Travel photography info
Sony W230 Travel photography info
56
MP count decent (14MP)
built-in flash
does not have Time Lapse function
heavier than average in class (151g)
screen isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not great (35mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
51
flash built-in
doesn't have Timelapse mode
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
wide angle not fantastic (30mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FP2 Landscape photography factors
Sony W230 Landscape photography factors
32
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (14MP)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (35mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
manual mode not possible
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
does not have Time Lapse function
36
focusing manually
nice screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (30mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
manual exposure not available
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW files
doesn't have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FP2 Vlogging info
Sony W230 Vlogging info
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not great (35mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have mic port
heavier than average in class (151g)
25
image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not fantastic (30mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
low video resolution (640 x 480 pixels)
doesn't have microphone socket
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Panasonic FP2 vs Sony W230 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FP2 and Sony W230
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP2Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230
General Information
Make Panasonic Sony
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP2 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230
Type Ultracompact Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2010-01-06 2009-02-17
Physical type Ultracompact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Venus Engine IV -
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4320 x 3240 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 6400 3200
Lowest native ISO 80 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 35-140mm (4.0x) 30-120mm (4.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.5-5.9 f/2.8-5.8
Macro focusing distance 10cm 4cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.7 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 secs 1 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shutter rate 5.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 4.90 m 3.90 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 640x480
Video data format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 151g (0.33 lbs) 156g (0.34 lbs)
Dimensions 99 x 59 x 19mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.7") 95 x 57 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Price at release $80 $180