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Panasonic FP3 vs Sony A900

Portability
95
Imaging
36
Features
25
Overall
31
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP3 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A900 front
Portability
54
Imaging
66
Features
62
Overall
64

Panasonic FP3 vs Sony A900 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
  • Revealed January 2010
Sony A900
(Full Review)
  • 25MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 895g - 156 x 117 x 82mm
  • Released October 2008
  • Replacement is Sony A99
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Panasonic FP3 vs Sony A900 Overview

On this page, we will be looking at the Panasonic FP3 vs Sony A900, former being a Ultracompact while the latter is a Advanced DSLR by competitors Panasonic and Sony. There exists a considerable gap between the image resolutions of the FP3 (14MP) and A900 (25MP) and the FP3 (1/2.3") and A900 (Full frame) offer totally different sensor size.

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The FP3 was announced 15 months later than the A900 which makes them a generation apart from one another. Each of the cameras have different body design with the Panasonic FP3 being a Ultracompact camera and the Sony A900 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before we go right into a detailed comparison, here is a short introduction of how the FP3 matches up versus the A900 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic FP3 over the Sony A900

 FP3 A900 
ReleasedJanuary 2010October 2008Fresher by 15 months
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Sony A900 over the Panasonic FP3

 A900 FP3 
Manually focus Dial exact focus
Screen resolution922k230kCrisper screen (+692k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic FP3 and Sony A900

 FP3 A900 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen size
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen

Panasonic FP3 vs Sony A900 Physical Comparison

If you are planning to carry your camera often, you're going to have to factor in its weight and volume. The Panasonic FP3 features physical measurements of 99mm x 59mm x 19mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.7") with a weight of 155 grams (0.34 lbs) while the Sony A900 has sizing of 156mm x 117mm x 82mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 3.2") having a weight of 895 grams (1.97 lbs).

Check out the Panasonic FP3 vs Sony A900 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are utilising at the time. Here is a front view dimensions comparison of the FP3 vs the A900.

Panasonic FP3 vs Sony A900 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the FP3 and A900 is 95 and 54 respectively.

Panasonic FP3 vs Sony A900 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FP3 vs Sony A900 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, its hard to see the contrast between sensor sizing just by going over specs. The photograph underneath will help offer you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the FP3 and A900.

As you can plainly see, both of the cameras provide different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The FP3 having a tinier sensor will make getting shallower depth of field trickier and the Sony A900 will deliver greater detail with its extra 11MP. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop pictures more aggressively. The younger FP3 is going to have an advantage in sensor technology.

Panasonic FP3 vs Sony A900 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FP3 vs Sony A900 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FP3 vs Sony A900 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FP3 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony A900 as a Portrait photography camera
28
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
manual mode not possible
external flash not possible
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
71
you can focus manually
great megapixels (25MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
supports RAW files
doesn't have liveview
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FP3 Street photography advice
Sony A900 Street photography advice
60
built in image stabilization (Optical)
provides focus via touch
no moving screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
heavier than average (155 grams)
66
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
supports RAW files
environment proof
screen is fixed
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic FP3
Sports photography with Sony A900
34
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
low fps (5.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
70
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
great megapixels (25 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
environment proof
has phase detect autofocus
doesn't have liveview
low fps (5.0 frames per second)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic FP3
Travel photography with Sony A900
60
provides focus via touch
decent megapixels (14MP)
has built in flash
lack of Time Lapse recording
heavier than average (155g)
screen is not selfie friendly
wide angle not fantastic (35mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
54
environment proof
great megapixels (25 megapixels)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FP3 Landscape photography advice
Sony A900 Landscape photography advice
37
nice screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (35mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
manual mode not possible
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
lack of Time Lapse recording
72
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
great megapixels (25 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
supports RAW files
environment proof
has dual storage slots
doesn't have liveview
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic FP3
Vlogging with Sony A900
27
touchscreen enabled
built in image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not fantastic (35mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen is not selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of external mic port
heavier than average (155g)
9
no video shooting
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Panasonic FP3 vs Sony A900 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FP3 and Sony A900
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP3Sony Alpha DSLR-A900
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Sony
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP3 Sony Alpha DSLR-A900
Type Ultracompact Advanced DSLR
Revealed 2010-01-06 2008-10-22
Body design Ultracompact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Venus Engine IV Bionz
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Full frame
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 25 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4320 x 3240 6048 x 4032
Highest native ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection 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 range 10cm -
Total lenses - 143
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3" 3"
Screen resolution 230 thousand dot 922 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen technology - TFT Xtra Fine color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.74x
Features
Min shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 5.0 frames per second 5.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 4.90 m no built-in flash
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Max flash sync - 1/250 secs
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) -
Highest video resolution 1280x720 None
Video data format Motion JPEG -
Mic 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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 155 gr (0.34 pounds) 895 gr (1.97 pounds)
Physical dimensions 99 x 59 x 19mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.7") 156 x 117 x 82mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 3.2")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 79
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.7
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 12.3
DXO Low light score not tested 1431
Other
Battery life - 880 photos
Form of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model - NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal Compact Flash (Type I or II), Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, UDMA Mode 5, Supports FAT12 / FAT16 / FAT32
Storage slots 1 Two
Launch cost $182 $2,736