Clicky

Panasonic FP3 vs Sony A700

Portability
95
Imaging
36
Features
25
Overall
31
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP3 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A700 front
Portability
58
Imaging
51
Features
58
Overall
53

Panasonic FP3 vs Sony A700 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
  • Announced January 2010
Sony A700
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 768g - 142 x 105 x 80mm
  • Released December 2007
  • Superseded the Konica Minolta 7D
  • Successor is Sony A77
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Panasonic FP3 vs Sony A700 Overview

In this article, we will be looking at the Panasonic FP3 versus Sony A700, former is a Ultracompact while the latter is a Advanced DSLR by brands Panasonic and Sony. The image resolution of the FP3 (14MP) and the A700 (12MP) is pretty close but the FP3 (1/2.3") and A700 (APS-C) feature different sensor dimensions.

Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

The FP3 was released 2 years after the A700 which is a fairly big difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of the cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic FP3 being a Ultracompact camera and the Sony A700 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before diving in to a more detailed comparison, below is a quick overview of how the FP3 matches up vs the A700 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic FP3 over the Sony A700

 FP3 A700 
ReleasedJanuary 2010December 2007More modern by 25 months
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Sony A700 over the Panasonic FP3

 A700 FP3 
Focus manually More exact focusing
Screen resolution920k230kCrisper screen (+690k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic FP3 and Sony A700

 FP3 A700 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen sizing
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen

Panasonic FP3 vs Sony A700 Physical Comparison

In case you're intending to carry around your camera regularly, you are going to need to think about its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic FP3 features exterior measurements 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 Sony A700 has dimensions of 142mm x 105mm x 80mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.1") having a weight of 768 grams (1.69 lbs).

Analyze the Panasonic FP3 versus Sony A700 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you are employing at that moment. Below is the front view over all size comparison of the FP3 and the A700.

Panasonic FP3 vs Sony A700 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the FP3 and A700 is 95 and 58 respectively.

Panasonic FP3 vs Sony A700 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FP3 vs Sony A700 Sensor Comparison

Normally, its tough to visualize the gap in sensor sizes only by viewing specs. The pic here should give you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the FP3 and A700.

All in all, the 2 cameras offer different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The FP3 due to its smaller sensor is going to make getting shallower depth of field more challenging and the Panasonic FP3 will result in extra detail as a result of its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also help you crop photographs a little more aggressively. The fresher FP3 provides an edge when it comes to sensor tech.

Panasonic FP3 vs Sony A700 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FP3 vs Sony A700 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FP3 vs Sony A700 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FP3 Portrait photography info
Sony A700 Portrait photography info
28
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
no manual focus
lack of manual mode
cannot use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
54
has manual focus
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
doesn't have liveview
low megapixels (12MP)
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Street Comparison

Panasonic FP3 Street photography features
Sony A700 Street photography features
60
image stabilization (Optical)
provides touch focus
screen is fixed
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
heavier than competition (155g)
64
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
environment proofing
screen does not articulate
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Sports Comparison

Panasonic FP3 as a Sports photography camera
Sony A700 as a Sports photography camera
34
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
very slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
56
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
environment proofing
has phase detect auto focus
doesn't have liveview
painfully slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames/s)
low megapixels (12MP)
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Panasonic FP3 Travel photography features
Sony A700 Travel photography features
60
provides touch focus
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
built-in flash
does not have Time Lapse recording
heavier than competition (155 grams)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
wide angle not the best (35mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
49
environment proofing
has built in flash
missing Timelapse function
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
does not contain selfie friendly display
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FP3 Landscape photography advice
Sony A700 Landscape photography advice
37
nice screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (35mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
lack of manual mode
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
does not have Time Lapse recording
62
has manual focus
switch lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
good sized screen (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
environment proofing
has dual storage slots
doesn't have liveview
low megapixels (12MP)
missing Timelapse function
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FP3 Vlogging details
Sony A700 Vlogging details
27
built-in touchscreen
image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not the best (35mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have external mic socket
heavier than competition (155g)
9
no video
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Panasonic FP3 vs Sony A700 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FP3 and Sony A700
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP3Sony Alpha DSLR-A700
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Sony
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP3 Sony Alpha DSLR-A700
Category Ultracompact Advanced DSLR
Announced 2010-01-06 2007-12-19
Body design Ultracompact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Venus Engine IV -
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4320 x 3240 4272 x 2848
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 9 11
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens zoom range 35-140mm (4.0x) -
Highest aperture f/3.5-5.9 -
Macro focusing distance 10cm -
Available lenses - 143
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 230 thousand dot 920 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 95%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.6x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 5.0 frames/s 5.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 4.90 m 12.00 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, rear curtain, Off
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync - 1/250 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
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 file format Motion JPEG -
Microphone input
Headphone input
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 seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 155g (0.34 lbs) 768g (1.69 lbs)
Dimensions 99 x 59 x 19mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.7") 142 x 105 x 80mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 66
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 22.3
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 11.9
DXO Low light rating not tested 581
Other
Battery ID - NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal Compact Flash (Type I or II), Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo
Storage slots Single Dual
Pricing at release $182 $1,000