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Panasonic FP7 vs Sony NEX-3

Portability
95
Imaging
39
Features
32
Overall
36
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP7 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-3 front
Portability
89
Imaging
54
Features
55
Overall
54

Panasonic FP7 vs Sony NEX-3 Key Specs

Panasonic FP7
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 35-140mm (F3.5-5.9) lens
  • 147g - 101 x 59 x 18mm
  • Launched January 2011
Sony NEX-3
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 200 - 12800
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 297g - 117 x 62 x 33mm
  • Announced June 2010
  • Updated by Sony NEX-C3
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Panasonic FP7 vs Sony NEX-3 Overview

Here, we will be evaluating the Panasonic FP7 and Sony NEX-3, one being a Ultracompact and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by rivals Panasonic and Sony. The resolution of the FP7 (16MP) and the NEX-3 (14MP) is relatively comparable but the FP7 (1/2.3") and NEX-3 (APS-C) posses different sensor size.

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The FP7 was revealed 8 months later than the NEX-3 so they are both of a similar generation. Both cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic FP7 being a Ultracompact camera and the Sony NEX-3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving right into a comprehensive comparison, here is a concise overview of how the FP7 grades vs the NEX-3 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FP7 over the Sony NEX-3

 FP7 NEX-3 
AnnouncedJanuary 2011June 2010More recent by 8 months
Screen size3.5"3"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-3 over the Panasonic FP7

 NEX-3 FP7 
Manually focus Very precise focus
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution920k230kSharper screen (+690k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic FP7 and Sony NEX-3

 FP7 NEX-3 
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen

Panasonic FP7 vs Sony NEX-3 Physical Comparison

When you are going to lug around your camera, you're going to have to factor its weight and size. The Panasonic FP7 has got physical dimensions of 101mm x 59mm x 18mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 0.7") along with a weight of 147 grams (0.32 lbs) while the Sony NEX-3 has specifications 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 FP7 and Sony NEX-3 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are employing at that moment. Below is a front view dimensions comparison of the FP7 vs the NEX-3.

Panasonic FP7 vs Sony NEX-3 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the FP7 and NEX-3 is 95 and 89 respectively.

Panasonic FP7 vs Sony NEX-3 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FP7 vs Sony NEX-3 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it can be difficult to picture the difference in sensor measurements simply by seeing a spec sheet. The graphic below will help provide you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the FP7 and NEX-3.

As you can see, both the cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The FP7 with its smaller sensor is going to make getting shallow DOF trickier and the Panasonic FP7 will produce more detail because of its extra 2MP. Higher resolution can also let you crop photographs way more aggressively. The more modern FP7 provides a benefit with regard to sensor innovation.

Panasonic FP7 vs Sony NEX-3 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FP7 vs Sony NEX-3 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FP7 vs Sony NEX-3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic FP7
Portrait photography with Sony NEX-3
34
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
offers face detect autofocus
lack of manual focus
no manual control
no external flash support
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
72
focusing manually
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
includes face detection focus
exports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FP7 as a Street photography camera
Sony NEX-3 as a Street photography camera
60
image stabilization (Optical)
boasts touch to focus
no articulating screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
heavier than average (147 grams)
76
has a tilting screen
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic FP7
Sports photography with Sony NEX-3
44
image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
offers tracking focus
good battery life (240 per charge)
max frames per second low (4.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
52
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
no image stabilization
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FP7 Travel photography highlights
Sony NEX-3 Travel photography highlights
63
good battery life (240 CIPA)
boasts touch to focus
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
heavier than average (147g)
screen isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not good (35mm)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
59
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FP7 Landscape photography details
Sony NEX-3 Landscape photography details
41
screen larger than average (3.5 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
good battery life (240 CIPA)
lack of manual focus
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (35mm)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
no manual control
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
68
focusing manually
change lenses (Sony E mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
no image stabilization
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FP7 Vlogging factors
Sony NEX-3 Vlogging factors
29
touchscreen functionality
image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detect autofocus
wide angle not good (35mm)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have mic socket
heavier than average (147 grams)
27
includes face detection focus
screen isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have external mic support
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Panasonic FP7 vs Sony NEX-3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FP7 and Sony NEX-3
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP7Sony Alpha NEX-3
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Sony
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP7 Sony Alpha NEX-3
Category Ultracompact Entry-Level Mirrorless
Launched 2011-01-05 2010-06-07
Physical type Ultracompact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip Venus Engine IV Bionz
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 4592 x 3056
Maximum native ISO 6400 12800
Minimum native ISO 100 200
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
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 mount fixed lens Sony E
Lens focal range 35-140mm (4.0x) -
Max aperture f/3.5-5.9 -
Macro focus range 10cm -
Amount of lenses - 121
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen sizing 3.5 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 230 thousand dots 920 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen technology TFT Touch Screen LCD TFT Xtra Fine LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 4.0 frames per second 7.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
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
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize - 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (24 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4
Mic support
Headphone support
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 sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 147 gr (0.32 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 All around 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 240 photos 330 photos
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - NPFW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images))
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Single Single
Price at launch $227 $0