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Panasonic FP3 vs Sony A380

Portability
95
Imaging
36
Features
25
Overall
31
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP3 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A380 front
Portability
68
Imaging
53
Features
54
Overall
53

Panasonic FP3 vs Sony A380 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
  • Introduced January 2010
Sony A380
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 519g - 128 x 97 x 71mm
  • Launched August 2009
  • Previous Model is Sony A350
  • Replacement is Sony A390
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Panasonic FP3 vs Sony A380 Overview

The following is a thorough overview of the Panasonic FP3 vs Sony A380, former is a Ultracompact while the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by brands Panasonic and Sony. The sensor resolution of the FP3 (14MP) and the A380 (14MP) is fairly comparable but the FP3 (1/2.3") and A380 (APS-C) posses totally different sensor measurements.

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The FP3 was released 5 months after the A380 so they are of a similar age. Both cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic FP3 being a Ultracompact camera and the Sony A380 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before delving right into a full comparison, here is a brief summary of how the FP3 grades versus the A380 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FP3 over the Sony A380

 FP3 A380 
Display size3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Sony A380 over the Panasonic FP3

 A380 FP3 
Manually focus More precise focusing
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display

Common features in the Panasonic FP3 and Sony A380

 FP3 A380 
LaunchedJanuary 2010August 2009Same age
Display resolution230k230kThe same display resolution
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen

Panasonic FP3 vs Sony A380 Physical Comparison

When you are looking to travel with your camera often, you need to factor its weight and measurements. The Panasonic FP3 offers physical dimensions of 99mm x 59mm x 19mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.7") and a weight of 155 grams (0.34 lbs) and the Sony A380 has proportions of 128mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.8") along with a weight of 519 grams (1.14 lbs).

Contrast the Panasonic FP3 vs Sony A380 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are employing at the time. Underneath is a front view size comparison of the FP3 versus the A380.

Panasonic FP3 vs Sony A380 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the FP3 and A380 is 95 and 68 respectively.

Panasonic FP3 vs Sony A380 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FP3 vs Sony A380 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is hard to see the gap in sensor dimensions merely by seeing technical specs. The pic here might give you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the FP3 and A380.

As you have seen, the two cameras feature the identical MP but not the same sensor dimensions. The FP3 offers the smaller sensor which is going to make getting shallower DOF more challenging.

Panasonic FP3 vs Sony A380 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FP3 vs Sony A380 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FP3 vs Sony A380 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FP3 Portrait photography details
Sony A380 Portrait photography details
28
good MP (14 megapixels)
no manual focus
lack of manual mode
external flash not possible
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
71
you can focus manually
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
provides face detect autofocus
delivers RAW files
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Panasonic FP3 Street photography info
Sony A380 Street photography info
60
image stabilization (Optical)
supports touch focus
screen does not articulate
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
heavier than competitors (155 grams)
76
tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FP3 Sports photography highlights
Sony A380 Sports photography highlights
34
image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (14MP)
painfully slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
59
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
has phase detect autofocus
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
low battery life (500 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic FP3
Travel photography with Sony A380
60
supports touch focus
good MP (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
no Time Lapse mode
heavier than competitors (155 grams)
display isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not good (35mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
53
good megapixels (14MP)
has built in flash
doesn't have Timelapse mode
low battery life (500 per charge)
does not contain selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FP3 Landscape photography factors
Sony A380 Landscape photography factors
37
screen size is good (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (14MP)
no manual focus
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (35mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
lack of manual mode
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
no Time Lapse mode
61
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (14MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
low battery life (500 per charge)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FP3 Vlogging highlights
Sony A380 Vlogging highlights
27
built-in touchscreen
image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not good (35mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
display isn't selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
no external mic support
heavier than competitors (155 grams)
9
no video
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Panasonic FP3 vs Sony A380 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FP3 and Sony A380
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP3Sony Alpha DSLR-A380
General Information
Brand Panasonic Sony
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP3 Sony Alpha DSLR-A380
Type Ultracompact Entry-Level DSLR
Introduced 2010-01-06 2009-08-24
Body design Ultracompact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Venus Engine IV Bionz
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.6 x 15.8mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 372.9mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4320 x 3240 4592 x 3056
Max native ISO 6400 3200
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens focal range 35-140mm (4.0x) -
Maximum aperture f/3.5-5.9 -
Macro focus distance 10cm -
Total lenses - 143
Crop factor 5.9 1.5
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Tilting
Display size 3 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of display 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 95%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.49x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 5.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 4.90 m 10.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync - 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) -
Max video resolution 1280x720 None
Video data format Motion JPEG -
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
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 seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 155 grams (0.34 lb) 519 grams (1.14 lb)
Physical 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 Overall score not tested 67
DXO Color Depth score not tested 22.6
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 11.8
DXO Low light score not tested 614
Other
Battery life - 500 shots
Battery form - Battery Pack
Battery model - NP-FH50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo
Storage slots One One
Retail price $182 $899