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Panasonic FP3 vs Sony A330

Portability
95
Imaging
36
Features
25
Overall
31
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP3 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A330 front
Portability
67
Imaging
50
Features
50
Overall
50

Panasonic FP3 vs Sony A330 Key Specs

Panasonic FP3
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 35-140mm (F3.5-5.9) lens
  • 155g - 99 x 59 x 19mm
  • Revealed January 2010
Sony A330
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 529g - 128 x 97 x 71mm
  • Revealed May 2009
  • Superseded the Sony A300
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Panasonic FP3 vs Sony A330 Overview

Below, we will be evaluating the Panasonic FP3 vs Sony A330, one is a Ultracompact and the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by rivals Panasonic and Sony. There exists a sizeable gap between the resolutions of the FP3 (14MP) and A330 (10MP) and the FP3 (1/2.3") and A330 (APS-C) come with totally different sensor measurements.

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The FP3 was announced 8 months after the A330 which means that they are of a similar generation. Each of these cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic FP3 being a Ultracompact camera and the Sony A330 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before going straight into a in depth comparison, below is a concise summation of how the FP3 matches up vs the A330 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic FP3 over the Sony A330

 FP3 A330 
RevealedJanuary 2010May 2009More modern by 8 months
Screen dimension3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Sony A330 over the Panasonic FP3

 A330 FP3 
Manually focus Dial precise focus
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen

Common features in the Panasonic FP3 and Sony A330

 FP3 A330 
Screen resolution230k230kSame screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen

Panasonic FP3 vs Sony A330 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is looking to carry around your camera, you'll have to take into account its weight and volume. The Panasonic FP3 has got outside dimensions of 99mm x 59mm x 19mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.7") accompanied by a weight of 155 grams (0.34 lbs) whilst the Sony A330 has sizing of 128mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.8") with a weight of 529 grams (1.17 lbs).

See the Panasonic FP3 vs Sony A330 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you have at the time. Below is the front view dimensions comparison of the FP3 versus the A330.

Panasonic FP3 vs Sony A330 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the FP3 and A330 is 95 and 67 respectively.

Panasonic FP3 vs Sony A330 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FP3 vs Sony A330 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it's tough to envision the contrast between sensor sizes simply by looking at a spec sheet. The pic underneath will help give you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the FP3 and A330.

Clearly, the two cameras posses different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The FP3 using its tinier sensor will make achieving shallow DOF trickier and the Panasonic FP3 will give you greater detail with its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will also let you crop photographs somewhat more aggressively. The newer FP3 is going to have an advantage in sensor innovation.

Panasonic FP3 vs Sony A330 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FP3 vs Sony A330 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FP3 vs Sony A330 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FP3 Portrait photography info
Sony A330 Portrait photography info
28
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
no manual control
can't use external flash
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
62
you can focus manually
decent sensor size (APS-C)
offers face detect focusing
exports RAW formats
MP count low (10 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FP3 as a Street photography camera
Sony A330 as a Street photography camera
60
has image stabilization (Optical)
has touch to focus
fixed screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
heavier than others in class (155g)
75
has a tilting screen
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FP3 Sports photography info
Sony A330 Sports photography info
34
has image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (14MP)
continuous shooting slow (5.0 fps)
no shutter priority
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
50
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
comes with phase detect AF
max fps low (3.0 frames per second)
MP count low (10 megapixels)
terrible battery power (230 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FP3 as a Travel photography camera
Sony A330 as a Travel photography camera
60
has touch to focus
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
does not have Time Lapse mode
heavier than others in class (155 grams)
does not contain selfie friendly display
wide angle not great (35mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
44
has built in flash
missing Timelapse function
terrible battery power (230 per charge)
MP count low (10MP)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FP3 Landscape photography highlights
Sony A330 Landscape photography highlights
37
screen size is good (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (35mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
no manual control
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
does not have Time Lapse mode
54
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
MP count low (10 megapixels)
terrible battery power (230 shots)
missing Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FP3 Vlogging factors
Sony A330 Vlogging factors
27
screen is touchscreen
has image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not great (35mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
does not contain selfie friendly display
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have external mic port
heavier than others in class (155g)
9
can't record video
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Panasonic FP3 vs Sony A330 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FP3 and Sony A330
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP3Sony Alpha DSLR-A330
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Sony
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP3 Sony Alpha DSLR-A330
Category Ultracompact Entry-Level DSLR
Revealed 2010-01-06 2009-05-18
Physical type Ultracompact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor 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 alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4320 x 3240 3872 x 2592
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens zoom range 35-140mm (4.0x) -
Maximal aperture f/3.5-5.9 -
Macro focusing distance 10cm -
Available lenses - 143
Crop factor 5.9 1.5
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Tilting
Display diagonal 3 inches 2.7 inches
Display resolution 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.49x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 5.0 frames per second 3.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 4.90 m 10.00 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize - 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
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) -
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 None
Video data format 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
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 155 gr (0.34 lbs) 529 gr (1.17 lbs)
Dimensions 99 x 59 x 19mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.7") 128 x 97 x 71mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 64
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 22.4
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 11.5
DXO Low light rating not tested 535
Other
Battery life - 230 photos
Battery style - Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-FH50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo
Card slots Single Single
Price at launch $182 $545