Panasonic FP7 vs Sony W230
95 Imaging
38 Features
32 Overall
35


95 Imaging
34 Features
25 Overall
30
Panasonic FP7 vs Sony W230 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3.5" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 6400
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 35-140mm (F3.5-5.9) lens
- 147g - 101 x 59 x 18mm
- Revealed January 2011
(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
- Revealed February 2009

Panasonic FP7 vs Sony W230 Overview
Below, we will be contrasting the Panasonic FP7 and Sony W230, one being a Ultracompact and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Panasonic and Sony. There is a significant difference among the image resolutions of the FP7 (16MP) and W230 (12MP) but they enjoy the exact same sensor size (1/2.3").

The FP7 was introduced 23 months later than the W230 which makes the cameras a generation apart from each other. Both of these cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic FP7 being a Ultracompact camera and the Sony W230 being a Compact camera.
Before going straight into a more detailed comparison, below is a concise introduction of how the FP7 scores versus the W230 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Panasonic FP7 vs Sony W230 Gallery
The following is a preview of the gallery photos for Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP7 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230. The whole galleries are available at Panasonic FP7 Gallery and Sony W230 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Panasonic FP7 over the Sony W230
FP7 | W230 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | January 2011 | ![]() | February 2009 | More recent by 23 months |
Screen dimension | 3.5" | ![]() | 3" | Bigger screen (+0.5") |
Touch screen | ![]() | Quickly navigate |
Reasons to pick Sony W230 over the Panasonic FP7
W230 | FP7 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Very accurate focus |
Common features in the Panasonic FP7 and Sony W230
FP7 | W230 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | The same screen resolution |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Missing selfie screen |
Panasonic FP7 vs Sony W230 Physical Comparison
When you are going to lug around your camera frequently, you should think about its weight and volume. The Panasonic FP7 provides outer dimensions of 101mm x 59mm x 18mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 0.7") accompanied by a weight of 147 grams (0.32 lbs) while the Sony W230 has sizing of 95mm x 57mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") and a weight of 156 grams (0.34 lbs).
Check the Panasonic FP7 and Sony W230 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you choose during that time. Following is the front view proportions comparison of the FP7 against the W230.

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the FP7 and W230 is 95 and 95 respectively.

Panasonic FP7 vs Sony W230 Sensor Comparison
Oftentimes, it is very tough to picture the gap in sensor measurements merely by seeing technical specs. The photograph here might provide you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the FP7 and W230.
As you have seen, both of those cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements albeit different megapixels. You should count on the Panasonic FP7 to show extra detail using its extra 4MP. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop pictures much more aggressively. The more recent FP7 should have an advantage when it comes to sensor technology.

Panasonic FP7 vs Sony W230 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FP7 vs Sony W230 Specifications
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP7 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Panasonic | Sony |
Model | Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP7 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230 |
Type | Ultracompact | Small Sensor Compact |
Revealed | 2011-01-05 | 2009-02-17 |
Physical type | Ultracompact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | Venus Engine IV | - |
Sensor type | CCD | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor measurements | 6.08 x 4.56mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
Sensor surface area | 27.7mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16MP | 12MP |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Peak resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4000 x 3000 |
Highest native ISO | 6400 | 3200 |
Lowest native ISO | 100 | 80 |
RAW format | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
AF touch | ||
Continuous AF | ||
AF single | ||
Tracking AF | ||
AF selectice | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
AF multi area | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detect AF | ||
Contract detect AF | ||
Phase detect AF | ||
Number of focus points | 11 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 35-140mm (4.0x) | 30-120mm (4.0x) |
Maximal aperture | f/3.5-5.9 | f/2.8-5.8 |
Macro focus distance | 10cm | 4cm |
Crop factor | 5.9 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display size | 3.5 inch | 3 inch |
Display resolution | 230 thousand dots | 230 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch friendly | ||
Display tech | TFT Touch Screen LCD | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 60s | 1s |
Max shutter speed | 1/1600s | 1/1600s |
Continuous shutter rate | 4.0fps | 2.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Change WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash range | 4.90 m | 3.90 m |
Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (24 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 format | Motion JPEG | Motion JPEG |
Microphone port | ||
Headphone port | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environment sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 147 gr (0.32 lb) | 156 gr (0.34 lb) |
Dimensions | 101 x 59 x 18mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 0.7") | 95 x 57 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall 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 | ||
Battery life | 240 pictures | - |
Type of battery | Battery Pack | - |
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 |
Card slots | 1 | 1 |
Price at release | $227 | $180 |