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Panasonic FP8 vs Sony A380

Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
20
Overall
29
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP8 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A380 front
Portability
68
Imaging
53
Features
54
Overall
53

Panasonic FP8 vs Sony A380 Key Specs

Panasonic FP8
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-128mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 151g - 96 x 60 x 20mm
  • Revealed July 2009
Sony A380
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 519g - 128 x 97 x 71mm
  • Launched August 2009
  • Replaced the Sony A350
  • Updated by Sony A390
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Panasonic FP8 vs Sony A380 Overview

Lets look a bit more in depth at the Panasonic FP8 vs Sony A380, former being a Ultracompact while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by rivals Panasonic and Sony. The resolution of the FP8 (12MP) and the A380 (14MP) is pretty close but the FP8 (1/2.3") and A380 (APS-C) use different sensor size.

Photography Glossary

The FP8 was unveiled within a month of the A380 and they are both of a similar age. Each of these cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic FP8 being a Ultracompact camera and the Sony A380 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before we go in to a detailed comparison, below is a concise synopsis of how the FP8 matches up vs the A380 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FP8 over the Sony A380

 FP8 A380 

Reasons to pick Sony A380 over the Panasonic FP8

 A380 FP8 
Focus manually Dial accurate focus
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen

Common features in the Panasonic FP8 and Sony A380

 FP8 A380 
LaunchedJuly 2009August 2009Same age
Screen sizing2.7"2.7"Equivalent screen size
Screen resolution230k230kSame screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Missing Touch friendly screen

Panasonic FP8 vs Sony A380 Physical Comparison

If you are intending to lug around your camera regularly, you will want to factor in its weight and volume. The Panasonic FP8 offers external measurements of 96mm x 60mm x 20mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 0.8") along with a weight of 151 grams (0.33 lbs) whilst the Sony A380 has sizing of 128mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.8") and a weight of 519 grams (1.14 lbs).

Check the Panasonic FP8 vs Sony A380 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you have chosen at that moment. Below is the front view sizing comparison of the FP8 against the A380.

Panasonic FP8 vs Sony A380 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the FP8 and A380 is 95 and 68 respectively.

Panasonic FP8 vs Sony A380 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FP8 vs Sony A380 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it's difficult to picture the gap in sensor measurements purely by researching specs. The graphic below might give you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the FP8 and A380.

All in all, the 2 cameras offer different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The FP8 with its smaller sensor is going to make getting shallow depth of field harder and the Sony A380 will provide you with more detail having an extra 2MP. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop photographs a little more aggressively.

Panasonic FP8 vs Sony A380 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FP8 vs Sony A380 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FP8 vs Sony A380 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FP8 Portrait photography information
Sony A380 Portrait photography information
21
focusing manually not possible
no manual mode
external flash not possible
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
71
has manual focus
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
offers face detect focusing
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FP8 as a Street photography camera
Sony A380 as a Street photography camera
55
has image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
heavier than competitors (151 grams)
76
has a tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FP8 Sports photography factors
Sony A380 Sports photography factors
24
has image stabilization (Optical)
maximum shutter speed is a little low (1/1,300s)
slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
59
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (14MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
has phase detect AF
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
not so great battery life (500 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FP8 Travel photography highlights
Sony A380 Travel photography highlights
56
flash built-in
reasonably wide (28mm)
does not have Time Lapse recording
heavier than competitors (151g)
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
53
decent megapixels (14MP)
has built in flash
no Timelapse function
not so great battery life (500 CIPA)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FP8 Landscape photography info
Sony A380 Landscape photography info
32
reasonably wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
no manual mode
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
does not have Time Lapse recording
61
has manual focus
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (14MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
small screen (2.7 inch)
not so great battery life (500 per charge)
no Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic FP8
Vlogging with Sony A380
28
reasonably wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have mic socket
heavier than competitors (151 grams)
9
no video shooting
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Panasonic FP8 vs Sony A380 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FP8 and Sony A380
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP8Sony Alpha DSLR-A380
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Sony
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP8 Sony Alpha DSLR-A380
Category Ultracompact Entry-Level DSLR
Revealed 2009-07-27 2009-08-24
Body design Ultracompact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Venus Engine V Bionz
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.6 x 15.8mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 372.9mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 14MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4000 x 3000 4592 x 3056
Max native ISO 6400 3200
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens focal range 28-128mm (4.6x) -
Max aperture f/3.3-5.9 -
Macro focus range 5cm -
Available lenses - 143
Crop factor 5.9 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen sizing 2.7 inches 2.7 inches
Screen resolution 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 95%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.49x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/1300 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 2.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 5.50 m 10.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless
Hot shoe
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
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) -
Max video resolution 1280x720 None
Video file format Motion JPEG -
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
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 seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 151 grams (0.33 lb) 519 grams (1.14 lb)
Dimensions 96 x 60 x 20mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 0.8") 128 x 97 x 71mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 67
DXO Color Depth score not tested 22.6
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 11.8
DXO Low light score not tested 614
Other
Battery life - 500 photographs
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model - NP-FH50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC card, Internal SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo
Storage slots 1 1
Cost at release $300 $899