Clicky

Panasonic FP5 vs Sony NEX-3

Portability
95
Imaging
37
Features
33
Overall
35
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP5 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-3 front
Portability
89
Imaging
54
Features
55
Overall
54

Panasonic FP5 vs Sony NEX-3 Key Specs

Panasonic FP5
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 35-140mm (F3.5-5.9) lens
  • 141g - 101 x 59 x 18mm
  • Introduced January 2011
Sony NEX-3
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 200 - 12800
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 297g - 117 x 62 x 33mm
  • Revealed June 2010
  • Newer Model is Sony NEX-C3
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Panasonic FP5 vs Sony NEX-3 Overview

Below is a complete review of the Panasonic FP5 and Sony NEX-3, one being a Ultracompact and the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by manufacturers Panasonic and Sony. The resolution of the FP5 (14MP) and the NEX-3 (14MP) is fairly well matched but the FP5 (1/2.3") and NEX-3 (APS-C) have different sensor sizing.

Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

The FP5 was manufactured 8 months later than the NEX-3 so they are both of a similar generation. Each of these cameras have different body design with the Panasonic FP5 being a Ultracompact camera and the Sony NEX-3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go right into a detailed comparison, here is a brief introduction of how the FP5 grades vs the NEX-3 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic FP5 over the Sony NEX-3

 FP5 NEX-3 
RevealedJanuary 2011June 2010More recent by 8 months
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-3 over the Panasonic FP5

 NEX-3 FP5 
Focus manually More precise focusing
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution920k230kClearer display (+690k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic FP5 and Sony NEX-3

 FP5 NEX-3 
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display measurement
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen

Panasonic FP5 vs Sony NEX-3 Physical Comparison

If you're looking to lug around your camera often, you need to consider its weight and volume. The Panasonic FP5 offers outside dimensions of 101mm x 59mm x 18mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 0.7") having a weight of 141 grams (0.31 lbs) whilst the Sony NEX-3 has sizing of 117mm x 62mm x 33mm (4.6" x 2.4" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 297 grams (0.65 lbs).

Take a look at the Panasonic FP5 and Sony NEX-3 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you have attached at that moment. Below is a front view dimensions comparison of the FP5 vs the NEX-3.

Panasonic FP5 vs Sony NEX-3 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the FP5 and NEX-3 is 95 and 89 respectively.

Panasonic FP5 vs Sony NEX-3 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FP5 vs Sony NEX-3 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is tough to imagine the difference between sensor measurements simply by reading through a spec sheet. The visual below may offer you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the FP5 and NEX-3.

As you can see, both of those cameras provide the same megapixels but different sensor measurements. The FP5 includes the tinier sensor which is going to make achieving bokeh harder. The fresher FP5 should have an advantage with regard to sensor tech.

Panasonic FP5 vs Sony NEX-3 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FP5 vs Sony NEX-3 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FP5 vs Sony NEX-3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FP5 Portrait photography features
Sony NEX-3 Portrait photography features
33
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
comes with face detect focusing
manual focus not available
no manual control
can't use external flash
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
72
focusing manually
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
has face detect focusing
delivers RAW files
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Street Comparison

Panasonic FP5 Street photography factors
Sony NEX-3 Street photography factors
63
has image stabilization (Optical)
has touch focus
screen is fixed
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
76
screen tilts up and down
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
no image stabilization
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Sports Comparison

Panasonic FP5 Sports photography factors
Sony NEX-3 Sports photography factors
43
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
comes with tracking focus
good battery pack (260 shots)
max fps very slow (6.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
52
MP count decent (14MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
no image stabilization
no phase detect AF
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Panasonic FP5 Travel photography factors
Sony NEX-3 Travel photography factors
65
good battery pack (260 CIPA)
has touch focus
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
no Time Lapse function
screen is not selfie friendly
wide angle not fantastic (35mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
59
MP count decent (14MP)
does not have Timelapse function
screen isn't selfie friendly
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FP5 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony NEX-3 as a Landscape photography camera
40
decent sized screen (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
good battery pack (260 per charge)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (35mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
no manual control
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
no Time Lapse function
68
focusing manually
change lenses (Sony E mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
no image stabilization
does not have Timelapse function
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FP5 Vlogging information
Sony NEX-3 Vlogging information
30
touchscreen
has image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detect focusing
wide angle not fantastic (35mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen is not selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
no mic port
27
has face detect focusing
screen isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have microphone jack
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Panasonic FP5 vs Sony NEX-3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FP5 and Sony NEX-3
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP5Sony Alpha NEX-3
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Sony
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP5 Sony Alpha NEX-3
Class Ultracompact Entry-Level Mirrorless
Introduced 2011-01-05 2010-06-07
Body design Ultracompact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Venus Engine IV Bionz
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4320 x 3240 4592 x 3056
Max native ISO 6400 12800
Lowest native ISO 100 200
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 11 25
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Sony E
Lens focal range 35-140mm (4.0x) -
Max aperture f/3.5-5.9 -
Macro focus distance 10cm -
Total lenses - 121
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dot 920 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen tech TFT Touch Screen LCD TFT Xtra Fine LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 6.0 frames/s 7.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 4.90 m 12.00 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync - 1/160 secs
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), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
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 141 gr (0.31 lbs) 297 gr (0.65 lbs)
Physical dimensions 101 x 59 x 18mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 0.7") 117 x 62 x 33mm (4.6" x 2.4" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 68
DXO Color Depth score not tested 22.1
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 12.0
DXO Low light score not tested 830
Other
Battery life 260 shots 330 shots
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - NPFW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images))
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots 1 1
Launch pricing $199 $0