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Panasonic FP3 vs Sony W230

Portability
95
Imaging
36
Features
25
Overall
31
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP3 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230 front
Portability
95
Imaging
34
Features
25
Overall
30

Panasonic FP3 vs Sony W230 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
  • Released January 2010
Sony W230
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 30-120mm (F2.8-5.8) lens
  • 156g - 95 x 57 x 22mm
  • Introduced February 2009
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Panasonic FP3 vs Sony W230 Overview

Its time to take a deeper look at the Panasonic FP3 versus Sony W230, one being a Ultracompact and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by companies Panasonic and Sony. The sensor resolution of the FP3 (14MP) and the W230 (12MP) is relatively similar and they enjoy the exact same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The FP3 was manufactured 11 months later than the W230 and they are both of a similar generation. Both cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic FP3 being a Ultracompact camera and the Sony W230 being a Compact camera.

Before going in to a thorough comparison, below is a simple view of how the FP3 matches up versus the W230 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic FP3 over the Sony W230

 FP3 W230 
IntroducedJanuary 2010February 2009More recent by 11 months
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Sony W230 over the Panasonic FP3

 W230 FP3 
Manually focus Dial precise focusing

Common features in the Panasonic FP3 and Sony W230

 FP3 W230 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen dimensions
Screen resolution230k230kSame screen resolution
Selfie screen No selfie screen

Panasonic FP3 vs Sony W230 Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to lug around your camera regularly, you need to think about its weight and volume. The Panasonic FP3 has got physical measurements 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 W230 has sizing of 95mm x 57mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 156 grams (0.34 lbs).

Examine the Panasonic FP3 versus Sony W230 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you have at the time. Underneath is the front view over all size comparison of the FP3 versus the W230.

Panasonic FP3 vs Sony W230 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the FP3 and W230 is 95 and 95 respectively.

Panasonic FP3 vs Sony W230 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FP3 vs Sony W230 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is very tough to imagine the contrast between sensor measurements only by reviewing specs. The visual here may provide you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the FP3 and W230.

All in all, the two cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements albeit different megapixels. You should count on the Panasonic FP3 to deliver more detail due to its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop pictures much more aggressively. The younger FP3 provides a benefit when it comes to sensor technology.

Panasonic FP3 vs Sony W230 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FP3 vs Sony W230 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FP3 vs Sony W230 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FP3 Portrait photography details
Sony W230 Portrait photography details
28
decent MP (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
no manual exposure
no external flash support
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
27
manual focus
no manual control
can't use external flash
low megapixels (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FP3 Street photography factors
Sony W230 Street photography factors
60
image stabilization (Optical)
supports focus by touch
fixed screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
more heavy than others in class (155g)
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic FP3
Sports photography with Sony W230
34
image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (14MP)
slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
low megapixels (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FP3 as a Travel photography camera
Sony W230 as a Travel photography camera
60
supports focus by touch
decent MP (14MP)
built-in flash
missing Timelapse function
more heavy than others in class (155 grams)
screen isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not good (35mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
51
has built in flash
lack of Time Lapse mode
low megapixels (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not great (30mm)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FP3 Landscape photography info
Sony W230 Landscape photography info
37
screen is a decent size (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (35mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
no manual exposure
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
missing Timelapse function
36
manual focus
decent sized screen (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (30mm)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
no manual control
low megapixels (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
lack of Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FP3 Vlogging features
Sony W230 Vlogging features
27
screen is touchscreen
image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not good (35mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing microphone support
more heavy than others in class (155 grams)
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not great (30mm)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video res low (640 x 480 resolution)
lack of mic jack
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Panasonic FP3 vs Sony W230 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FP3 and Sony W230
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP3Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230
General Information
Company Panasonic Sony
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP3 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230
Type Ultracompact Small Sensor Compact
Released 2010-01-06 2009-02-17
Body design Ultracompact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Venus Engine IV -
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4320 x 3240 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 6400 3200
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 35-140mm (4.0x) 30-120mm (4.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.5-5.9 f/2.8-5.8
Macro focus distance 10cm 4cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 seconds 1 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 5.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 4.90 m 3.90 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 640x480
Video file format Motion JPEG 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) 156 gr (0.34 pounds)
Dimensions 99 x 59 x 19mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.7") 95 x 57 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots One One
Price at launch $182 $180