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Panasonic FP8 vs Sony A500

Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
20
Overall
29
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP8 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A500 front
Portability
63
Imaging
52
Features
52
Overall
52

Panasonic FP8 vs Sony A500 Key Specs

Panasonic FP8
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-128mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 151g - 96 x 60 x 20mm
  • Introduced July 2009
Sony A500
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 200 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 630g - 137 x 104 x 84mm
  • Announced August 2009
  • Updated by Sony A560
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Panasonic FP8 vs Sony A500 Overview

Here is a in-depth assessment of the Panasonic FP8 versus Sony A500, former being a Ultracompact while the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by brands Panasonic and Sony. The resolution of the FP8 (12MP) and the A500 (12MP) is very similar but the FP8 (1/2.3") and A500 (APS-C) boast totally different sensor sizing.

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The FP8 was introduced around the same time to the A500 so they are both of a similar age. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic FP8 being a Ultracompact camera and the Sony A500 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before going into a detailed comparison, here is a simple summary of how the FP8 grades against the A500 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FP8 over the Sony A500

 FP8 A500 

Reasons to pick Sony A500 over the Panasonic FP8

 A500 FP8 
Manually focus Dial exact focus
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display size3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")

Common features in the Panasonic FP8 and Sony A500

 FP8 A500 
AnnouncedJuly 2009August 2009Similar age
Display resolution230k230kIdentical display resolution
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch display Neither contains Touch display

Panasonic FP8 vs Sony A500 Physical Comparison

When you are looking to carry your camera regularly, you should think about its weight and measurements. The Panasonic FP8 has got exterior measurements of 96mm x 60mm x 20mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 0.8") and a weight of 151 grams (0.33 lbs) and the Sony A500 has proportions of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") with a weight of 630 grams (1.39 lbs).

Analyze the Panasonic FP8 versus Sony A500 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you choose during that time. Here is a front view overall size comparison of the FP8 and the A500.

Panasonic FP8 vs Sony A500 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the FP8 and A500 is 95 and 63 respectively.

Panasonic FP8 vs Sony A500 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FP8 vs Sony A500 Sensor Comparison

Generally, its hard to see the gap between sensor sizing just by reviewing specifications. The visual underneath should give you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the FP8 and A500.

Plainly, both cameras feature the identical resolution but not the same sensor sizing. The FP8 provides the tinier sensor which is going to make achieving bokeh more difficult.

Panasonic FP8 vs Sony A500 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FP8 vs Sony A500 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FP8 vs Sony A500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FP8 Portrait photography information
Sony A500 Portrait photography information
21
no manual focus
manual exposure not possible
external flash not possible
resolution not great (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
63
manual focus
sensor size is good (APS-C)
offers face detection focusing
saves RAW files
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FP8 Street photography features
Sony A500 Street photography features
55
has image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
more heavy than competition (151g)
74
screen tilts
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FP8 as a Sports photography camera
Sony A500 as a Sports photography camera
24
has image stabilization (Optical)
low max shutter speed (1/1,300s)
max fps low (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
resolution not great (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
51
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect AF
slow continuous shooting (5.0 fps)
megapixel count low (12MP)
terrible battery (520 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FP8 as a Travel photography camera
Sony A500 as a Travel photography camera
56
built-in flash
decently wide (28mm)
does not have Timelapse recording
more heavy than competition (151 grams)
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
43
has built in flash
no Timelapse function
terrible battery (520 CIPA)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FP8 Landscape photography factors
Sony A500 Landscape photography factors
32
decently wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
manual exposure not possible
resolution not great (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
does not have Timelapse recording
60
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
good sized screen (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW files
megapixel count low (12MP)
terrible battery (520 shots)
no Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FP8 Vlogging details
Sony A500 Vlogging details
28
decently wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
display is not selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have external microphone jack
more heavy than competition (151g)
9
can't record video
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Panasonic FP8 vs Sony A500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FP8 and Sony A500
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP8Sony Alpha DSLR-A500
General Information
Company Panasonic Sony
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP8 Sony Alpha DSLR-A500
Type Ultracompact Entry-Level DSLR
Introduced 2009-07-27 2009-08-27
Physical type Ultracompact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by Venus Engine V Bionz
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4000 x 3000 4272 x 2848
Max native ISO 6400 12800
Minimum native ISO 80 200
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens focal range 28-128mm (4.6x) -
Highest aperture f/3.3-5.9 -
Macro focus distance 5cm -
Number of lenses - 143
Crop factor 5.9 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display sizing 2.7 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.53x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/1300s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting rate 2.0 frames/s 5.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 5.50 m 12.00 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize - 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
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 data format Motion JPEG -
Microphone support
Headphone support
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 151g (0.33 lbs) 630g (1.39 lbs)
Physical dimensions 96 x 60 x 20mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 0.8") 137 x 104 x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 64
DXO Color Depth score not tested 21.8
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 11.6
DXO Low light score not tested 772
Other
Battery life - 520 photos
Type of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model - NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC card, Internal SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots 1 1
Pricing at launch $300 $638