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Panasonic FP3 vs Panasonic FS12

Portability
95
Imaging
37
Features
25
Overall
32
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP3 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12 front
Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
14
Overall
26

Panasonic FP3 vs Panasonic FS12 Key Specs

Panasonic FP3
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 35-140mm (F3.5-5.9) lens
  • 155g - 99 x 59 x 19mm
  • Introduced January 2010
Panasonic FS12
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600 (Raise to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 31-124mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 129g - 97 x 55 x 22mm
  • Launched April 2009
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Panasonic FP3 vs Panasonic FS12 Overview

The following is a thorough analysis of the Panasonic FP3 and Panasonic FS12, both Ultracompact cameras and both are designed by Panasonic. The image resolution of the FP3 (14MP) and the FS12 (12MP) is pretty close and both cameras boast the same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The FP3 was released 9 months after the FS12 so they are of a similar generation. Each of these cameras have the same body design (Ultracompact).

Before going straight to a complete comparison, here is a short summary of how the FP3 matches up against the FS12 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FP3 over the Panasonic FS12

 FP3 FS12 
LaunchedJanuary 2010April 2009Newer by 9 months
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic FS12 over the Panasonic FP3

 FS12 FP3 

Common features in the Panasonic FP3 and Panasonic FS12

 FP3 FS12 
Manually focus No manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kIdentical screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen

Panasonic FP3 vs Panasonic FS12 Physical Comparison

If you're intending to travel with your camera often, you should factor in its weight and volume. The Panasonic FP3 offers outside dimensions of 99mm x 59mm x 19mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.7") with a weight of 155 grams (0.34 lbs) whilst the Panasonic FS12 has sizing of 97mm x 55mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.9") having a weight of 129 grams (0.28 lbs).

See the Panasonic FP3 and Panasonic FS12 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you have attached during that time. Underneath is a front view over all size comparison of the FP3 compared to the FS12.

Panasonic FP3 vs Panasonic FS12 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the FP3 and FS12 is 95 and 95 respectively.

Panasonic FP3 vs Panasonic FS12 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FP3 vs Panasonic FS12 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is difficult to see the gap in sensor dimensions merely by researching technical specs. The image here may give you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the FP3 and FS12.

As you have seen, the two cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same megapixels. You should expect the Panasonic FP3 to result in more detail as a result of its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will help you crop pictures a bit more aggressively. The fresher FP3 is going to have a benefit when it comes to sensor technology.

Panasonic FP3 vs Panasonic FS12 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FP3 vs Panasonic FS12 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FP3 vs Panasonic FS12 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FP3 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic FS12 as a Portrait photography camera
28
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
manual mode not available
can't use external flash
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
21
manual focus not available
manual mode not available
can't use external flash
sensor resolution low (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FP3 Street photography features
Panasonic FS12 Street photography features
60
built in image stabilization (Optical)
comes with focus via touch
fixed screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
heavier than competition (155 grams)
57
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic FP3
Sports photography with Panasonic FS12
35
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
max fps very slow (5.0 fps)
no shutter priority
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
low fps (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FP3 Travel photography info
Panasonic FS12 Travel photography info
60
comes with focus via touch
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
built-in flash
missing Time Lapse function
heavier than competition (155g)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
wide angle not fantastic (35mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
51
flash built-in
lack of Timelapse recording
sensor resolution low (12MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
wide angle not fantastic (31mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FP3 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic FS12 as a Landscape photography camera
37
decent sized screen (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (35mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
manual mode not available
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
missing Time Lapse function
28
built in image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (31mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
manual mode not available
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
lack of Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic FP3
Vlogging with Panasonic FS12
27
touchscreen enabled
built in image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not fantastic (35mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing mic port
heavier than competition (155g)
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not fantastic (31mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is not selfie friendly
low res video (640 x 480 pxls)
lack of microphone support
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Panasonic FP3 vs Panasonic FS12 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FP3 and Panasonic FS12
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP3Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Panasonic
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP3 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12
Category Ultracompact Ultracompact
Introduced 2010-01-06 2009-04-17
Physical type Ultracompact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Processor Venus Engine IV -
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4320 x 3240 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 6400 1600
Max enhanced ISO - 6400
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 35-140mm (4.0x) 31-124mm (4.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.5-5.9 f/2.8-5.9
Macro focusing range 10cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3" 2.7"
Screen resolution 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 60 secs 60 secs
Max shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 5.0 frames per second 2.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 4.90 m 6.30 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
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) 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 640x480
Video format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone support
Headphone support
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 sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 155g (0.34 lb) 129g (0.28 lb)
Physical dimensions 99 x 59 x 19mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.7") 97 x 55 x 22mm (3.8" 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 shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC card, Internal
Card slots One One
Launch pricing $182 $228