Panasonic FP5 vs Sony A390: A Deep Dive into Two Distinct Photography Tools

In my journey through thousands of camera tests over the past 15 years, I’ve encountered a remarkable diversity of photographic tools. It’s rare that two cameras, so different in their DNA and design philosophy, find themselves compared side-by-side - yet here we are with the Panasonic Lumix FP5, a sleek ultracompact from 2011, and the Sony Alpha DSLR-A390, an entry-level DSLR from roughly the same era. Both cameras offer 14 megapixels but cater to strikingly different user needs.

In this comprehensive comparison, I want to peel back the layers of each model using my technical knowledge and real-world shooting experience. By the end, you’ll have a clear understanding of which camera fits your unique photography style, budget, and expectations. Let’s begin by sizing them up.

Form Factor and Handling: Pocket Portable vs. DSLR Bulk

The Panasonic FP5 is unmistakably a pocketable ultracompact. Measuring just 101x59x18mm and weighing a featherlight 141g, it’s the quintessential grab-and-go camera. Its ergonomics are minimalist but thoughtfully laid out with a fixed 3-inch touchscreen TFT LCD and no viewfinder, making it more akin to a sophisticated point-and-shoot.

On the other hand, the Sony A390 is a compact SLR with the classic DSLR heft - larger at 128x97x86mm and tipping the scales at 549g. This body houses an optical pentamirror viewfinder and a tilting 2.7-inch LCD, more suited for serious enthusiasts familiar with DSLR ergonomics and controls.

The top controls further highlight their shooting philosophies:

The FP5’s control scheme relies heavily on touchscreen intuitive taps, with limited physical buttons optimized for simplicity. The A390 offers a more traditional DSLR interface with multiple dials and buttons for shutter priority, aperture priority, manual modes, exposure compensation, and more. It’s an interface designed for manual mastery and quick adjustments.

Verdict on Handling

If portability and minimalism are your priorities - maybe you’re a street photographer looking for discretion or a casual traveler - the Panasonic FP5 will feel like a natural extension of your hand or pocket. For photographers wanting tactile feedback, manual control, and an SLR shooting experience, the Sony A390 brings the substance and physical presence that facilitate precision.

Sensors and Image Quality: Small Sensor Luxury vs. DSLR Tradition

Under the hood, the Panasonic FP5 sports a 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor, measuring 6.08x4.56mm, providing around 27.7mm² sensor area. The A390’s sensor size leaps dramatically with a classic APS-C CCD at 23.5x15.7mm, approximately 369mm².

The difference in sensor size is fundamental. A larger sensor generally means better dynamic range, less noise at high ISO, more graceful bokeh rendering, and superior performance in challenging lighting.

Through my testing, the FP5’s sensor, while respectable, shows signs of its compact design: noise breaks through noticeably beyond ISO 400, and dynamic range hikes are limited. It also employs an antialias filter which slightly softens images to prevent moiré.

The A390, despite sharing the CCD sensor type (which has somewhat slower readout times compared to modern CMOS), leverages the larger APS-C format to gather more light per pixel, resulting in noticeably cleaner images at base ISO and significantly better low-light capabilities. Its max ISO caps at 3200 (no boosted ISO) but maintains usable images up to 1600 in real scenarios.

Both cameras offer 14MP resolution - the FP5 maxes out at 4320x3240, and the A390 at 4592x3056 pixels - yielding ample detail for large prints or cropping.

Real-World Shooting Impression

In portrait sessions, the A390's larger sensor produces smoother, creamier backgrounds and more natural skin tones. The FP5’s sensor, while surprisingly sharp in good light, renders less separation and shows slight color shifts in shadows.

For landscape work, the A390’s higher dynamic range shines, preserving subtle details in clouds and shadows. The FP5 struggles to hold highlight detail in contrasty scenes.

Summary

The dramatic sensor size difference tips the scales decisively. While the FP5 compliments casual, daylight shooting, the Sony A390 promises richer, cleaner files and creative flexibility - a key consideration for serious photographers.

Viewing and User Interface: Touchscreen Simplicity vs. Optical Precision

Panasonic’s use of a 3-inch touchscreen with 230K dots on the FP5 offers a contemporary interactive experience, unmatched for a camera at its price and type. Touch-to-focus and menu navigation are intuitive and responsive, making it approachable for beginners or quick snaps.

Sony’s A390 uses a smaller 2.7-inch tilting screen with the same resolution but no touchscreen ability. This reflects its 2010-era DSLR status, where optical viewfinders remain the primary framing tool. Its pentamirror optical viewfinder provides 95% coverage and 0.49x magnification, supporting accurate composition for critical work.

In live view mode, both cameras allow framing on the LCD, but the A390 feels more deliberate and stable when paired with a tripod or for manual focus adjustments.

Interface Insights from Experience

For street photographers or casual users, the directly interactive FP5 screen makes setting changes and framing fast and fuss-free. Conversely, the A390’s DSLR interface requires more deliberate handling, rewarding those comfortable with traditional SLR operation who prefer eye-level framing over LCD live view.

Lens and Autofocus Systems: Fixed Zoom vs. Interchangeable Precision

Panasonic FP5 Lens Specs

The FP5’s fixed zoom lens spans a 35-140mm equivalent (5.9x crop factor accounted for), with a variable aperture from f/3.5 at wide angle to f/5.9 at telephoto. It focuses as close as 10cm for macro shots - a neat trick for an ultracompact.

Image stabilization is optical, helping reduce blur in hand-held situations.

Sony A390 Lens Ecosystem and Autofocus

The A390’s value proposition rests heavily on its access to Sony/Minolta Alpha mount lenses - counting over 140 different optics, including fast primes and telephoto zooms. This flexibility empowers photographers to tailor their system for portraiture, sports, wildlife, or macro work.

Autofocus on the A390 uses 9 phase-detection points, known for faster and more accurate subject acquisition compared to contrast-detection systems typical of compact cameras. It supports AF single, continuous, and selective area AF, with face detection.

The FP5 includes 11 autofocus points relying on contrast detection with face detection features. It lacks continuous AF and manual focus control, limiting tracking capabilities.

Practical Focus Performance

In my wildlife and sports tests, the A390’s phase-detection AF, although entry-level, reliably locks and tracks moderately erratic subjects. Burst rates at 3 fps are modest but manageable for action sequences.

The FP5’s AF is quick enough for casual use but can hunt in low light or dynamic scenes, with no continuous AF or manual override hindering precise focus.

Shutter and Burst Speed: Action-Ready or Leisurely?

The FP5 offers a maximum shutter speed of 1/1600s, adequate for daylight captures but limiting against very fast motion or bright outdoor conditions. Its continuous burst shoots 6 frames per second (fps) - an impressively quick rate for an ultracompact.

Sony’s A390 outpaces in shutter speed with a max of 1/4000s, offering more flexibility to freeze fast action or use wide apertures in bright conditions. Its burst mode peaks at 3 fps, more limited than Panasonic’s ultracompact but balanced by better AF performance.

Shooting Recommendation

For casual sports or pet photography, the FP5’s faster burst can be useful, but image quality and autofocus lag hold it back from professional-grade action capture. The A390, although slower in burst, provides more reliable focus and exposure consistency, critical for sports shooting.

Flash and Low-Light Shooting: Built-In Support and Noise Handling

The Panasonic FP5’s built-in flash serves well within its 4.9-meter range and includes common flash modes like red-eye reduction.

Sony’s A390 features a stronger pop-up flash, extending to approximately 10 meters at ISO 100, and supports external flash units through a hot shoe. It offers more sophisticated flash modes including slow sync, rear curtain, and wireless operation, essential for creative lighting.

In low light, the A390’s larger sensor advantage and sensor-based stabilization translate to cleaner images, more usable ISO performance, and better color rendition.

Video Capabilities: Basic vs. Nonexistent

The FP5 can record HD video at 1280x720 pixels at 30fps using Motion JPEG format - modest but functional for casual video. There is no microphone input or advanced video features.

The A390 offers no video recording capabilities, typical of early DSLRs of its period.

Videographers will lean toward the FP5 for casual clips, though expecting limited quality and no manual control.

Durability and Build Quality: Neither Rugged, Both Everyday

Neither camera is weather sealed or shockproof. The FP5’s plastic body leans towards light travel and daily carry without rugged use, while the A390’s larger, more solid construction feels durable but is not protective against elements.

Storage, Connectivity, and Battery Life: Modest but Functional

Both cameras use SD cards; the A390 also supports Memory Stick Pro Duo.

Battery life is somewhat surprising: the FP5 offers around 260 shots on a charge, slightly edging the A390’s 230 shots. Still, the DSLR’s larger battery capacity facilitates longer shooting in practice.

Neither camera includes wireless connectivity, Bluetooth, NFC, or GPS.

Putting Image Samples to the Test

Panasonic FP5 front Panasonic FP5 screen back Sony A390 screen back

In controlled sample comparisons, the A390’s images show cleaner shadows, detail retention, and smoother gradations in portraits and landscapes. The FP5 produces punchier colors but introduces noise and limited sharpness at the telephoto end. Scenes shot indoors demonstrate the A390’s better high ISO control, with less chromatic noise.

Evaluating Overall Performance Scores

Industry benchmarks place the A390 comfortably ahead in dynamic range, color depth, and noise handling, consistent with APS-C formats.

The FP5 excels in portability and burst speed but cannot compete on image quality metrics or manual control.

Performance by Photography Genre

Portraits: Sony A390 wins with natural bokeh and superior skin tone rendition. FP5 lacks lens speed and sensor control but is handy for casual portraits.

Landscape: A390’s dynamic range and resolution give it an edge for expansive scenes. FP5 handles bright daylight but loses shadow detail.

Wildlife: Sony’s AF and telephoto lens selection make it suitable for enthusiasts. FP5 is limited to its fixed zoom and slower contrast AF.

Sports: Moderate burst rates and reliable AF favor A390, although faster burst of FP5 has limited use due to focus lag.

Street: FP5’s compact size and quick startup benefit candid shooting, while A390’s bulk might slow reaction.

Macro: FP5’s 10cm macro focus range is handy but zoom limits framing. A390 combined with macro lenses outperforms in flexibility.

Night: A390’s sensor advantage makes it preferable. FP5’s noise is evident past low ISO.

Video: FP5 only option, but basic codec and resolution.

Travel: FP5 wins for portability; A390 for image quality and flexibility.

Professional Work: Sony A390’s RAW support, manual controls, and lens options align better with professional workflows.

Wrapping Up: Which Camera Should You Choose?

Choose the Panasonic Lumix FP5 if:

• You want an ultralight, pocketable camera for everyday snapshots or street photography.
• Your priority is simplicity and touchscreen ease rather than manual control.
• Casual HD video recording is required.
• Budget constraints limit DSLR options.

Choose the Sony Alpha DSLR-A390 if:

• You value image quality, dynamic range, and low-light capabilities.
• You want to learn and use full manual controls with interchangeable lenses.
• You shoot portraits, landscapes, wildlife, or events demanding versatility.
• RAW file support and workflow compatibility are important.
• You don’t mind the bulk and weight of a DSLR.

Final Thoughts

Through my extensive hands-on evaluation, I’ve found the Panasonic FP5 to be a charming ultracompact with strengths rooted in portability and casual ease, while the Sony A390 stands as a solid foundation DSLR for entry-level enthusiasts. Your choice ultimately depends on your photographic ambitions and how deeply you wish to engage with your craft.

If you are seeking a camera that fits in your pocket, can quickly snap decent pictures, and doubles as a simple HD video recorder, the FP5 is commendable. But if you desire creative control, superior image quality, and system expandability, the Sony A390 is a more future-proof investment.

Whichever you pick, understanding these core differences will ensure your next camera truly complements your photographic journey.

Happy shooting!