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Panasonic FP8 vs Sony HX9V

Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
20
Overall
29
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP8 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX9V front
Portability
91
Imaging
39
Features
46
Overall
41

Panasonic FP8 vs Sony HX9V 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
  • Released July 2009
Sony HX9V
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-384mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 245g - 105 x 59 x 34mm
  • Revealed July 2011
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Panasonic FP8 vs Sony HX9V Overview

In this write-up, we are evaluating the Panasonic FP8 vs Sony HX9V, former being a Ultracompact while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by competitors Panasonic and Sony. There is a large difference between the resolutions of the FP8 (12MP) and HX9V (16MP) but they use the same exact sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The FP8 was introduced 24 months before the HX9V making the cameras a generation apart from each other. Both of these cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic FP8 being a Ultracompact camera and the Sony HX9V being a Compact camera.

Before getting through a thorough comparison, below is a brief synopsis of how the FP8 scores vs the HX9V with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic FP8 over the Sony HX9V

 FP8 HX9V 

Reasons to pick Sony HX9V over the Panasonic FP8

 HX9V FP8 
RevealedJuly 2011July 2009Fresher by 24 months
Manual focus Very precise focus
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution921k230kCrisper display (+691k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic FP8 and Sony HX9V

 FP8 HX9V 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither comes with Touch friendly display

Panasonic FP8 vs Sony HX9V Physical Comparison

When you are looking to carry your camera, you'll have to consider its weight and volume. The Panasonic FP8 comes with outside dimensions of 96mm x 60mm x 20mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 0.8") and a weight of 151 grams (0.33 lbs) whilst the Sony HX9V has sizing of 105mm x 59mm x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 245 grams (0.54 lbs).

Look at the Panasonic FP8 vs Sony HX9V in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you have chosen at that moment. The following is the front view size comparison of the FP8 compared to the HX9V.

Panasonic FP8 vs Sony HX9V size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the FP8 and HX9V is 95 and 91 respectively.

Panasonic FP8 vs Sony HX9V top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FP8 vs Sony HX9V Sensor Comparison

Generally, it can be difficult to visualise the contrast between sensor sizing only by reviewing a spec sheet. The graphic below may provide you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the FP8 and HX9V.

Clearly, each of the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but not the same megapixels. You can expect to see the Sony HX9V to offer you extra detail using its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop images far more aggressively. The older FP8 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor innovation.

Panasonic FP8 vs Sony HX9V sensor size comparison

Panasonic FP8 vs Sony HX9V Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FP8 vs Sony HX9V Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FP8 Portrait photography info
Sony HX9V Portrait photography info
21
no manual focus
manual exposure not available
cannot use external flash
MP count low (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
39
manual focus
decent MP (16MP)
cannot use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FP8 Street photography highlights
Sony HX9V Street photography highlights
55
built in image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
more heavy than average in class (151g)
61
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (245g)
fixed screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FP8 as a Sports photography camera
Sony HX9V as a Sports photography camera
24
built in image stabilization (Optical)
max shutter speed is low (1/1,300 seconds)
max frames per second low (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
44
amazing zoom range (24-384mm 16.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16MP)
no shutter priority
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FP8 Travel photography advice
Sony HX9V Travel photography advice
56
has built in flash
reasonably wide (28mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
more heavy than average in class (151 grams)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
69
lighter than competition (245g)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
really wide (24mm)
very long reach (384mm)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FP8 Landscape photography details
Sony HX9V Landscape photography details
32
reasonably wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
small screen (2.7")
manual exposure not available
MP count low (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
doesn't have Timelapse function
49
manual focus
really wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16MP)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
doesn't have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic FP8
Vlogging with Sony HX9V
28
reasonably wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen is not selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have microphone port
more heavy than average in class (151 grams)
33
really wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition (245 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
doesn't have external microphone support
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Panasonic FP8 vs Sony HX9V Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FP8 and Sony HX9V
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP8Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX9V
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Sony
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP8 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX9V
Class Ultracompact Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2009-07-27 2011-07-19
Physical type Ultracompact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Venus Engine V BIONZ
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
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 12 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4000 x 3000 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
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
Total focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-128mm (4.6x) 24-384mm (16.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.3-5.9 f/3.3-5.9
Macro focusing distance 5cm -
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.7 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 230k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen tech - XtraFine LCD display with TruBlack technology
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/1300 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 2.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 5.50 m 4.00 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 1280 x 720 (30fps), 640 x 480 (30fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone 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 BuiltIn
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 151 gr (0.33 lb) 245 gr (0.54 lb)
Dimensions 96 x 60 x 20mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 0.8") 105 x 59 x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery ID - NP-BG1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Card slots 1 1
Price at launch $300 $328