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Panasonic FP8 vs Sony A57

Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
20
Overall
29
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP8 front
 
Sony SLT-A57 front
Portability
64
Imaging
57
Features
85
Overall
68

Panasonic FP8 vs Sony A57 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
  • Announced July 2009
Sony A57
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 16000 (Push to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 618g - 132 x 98 x 81mm
  • Revealed September 2012
  • Old Model is Sony A55
  • Newer Model is Sony A58
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Panasonic FP8 vs Sony A57 Overview

Let's look more closely at the Panasonic FP8 and Sony A57, former is a Ultracompact while the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by manufacturers Panasonic and Sony. There is a considerable difference among the resolutions of the FP8 (12MP) and A57 (16MP) and the FP8 (1/2.3") and A57 (APS-C) offer different sensor sizing.

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The FP8 was unveiled 4 years before the A57 which is a fairly large difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic FP8 being a Ultracompact camera and the Sony A57 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before we go right into a complete comparison, here is a brief summation of how the FP8 grades against the A57 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FP8 over the Sony A57

 FP8 A57 

Reasons to pick Sony A57 over the Panasonic FP8

 A57 FP8 
RevealedSeptember 2012July 2009More modern by 38 months
Manual focus More precise focus
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display size3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution921k230kClearer display (+691k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Common features in the Panasonic FP8 and Sony A57

 FP8 A57 
Touch display Lacking Touch display

Panasonic FP8 vs Sony A57 Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to carry around your camera, you'll have to factor its weight and volume. The Panasonic FP8 has exterior dimensions of 96mm x 60mm x 20mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 0.8") having a weight of 151 grams (0.33 lbs) while the Sony A57 has sizing of 132mm x 98mm x 81mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.2") with a weight of 618 grams (1.36 lbs).

See the Panasonic FP8 and Sony A57 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are working with at that time. Following is a front view size comparison of the FP8 versus the A57.

Panasonic FP8 vs Sony A57 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the FP8 and A57 is 95 and 64 respectively.

Panasonic FP8 vs Sony A57 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FP8 vs Sony A57 Sensor Comparison

Often, it can be tough to visualize the contrast in sensor sizes just by looking through specifications. The image below will provide you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the FP8 and A57.

Plainly, each of these cameras come with different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The FP8 using its smaller sensor is going to make achieving shallower depth of field more difficult and the Sony A57 will result in more detail having an extra 4MP. Greater resolution can also help you crop photos a good deal more aggressively. The more aged FP8 will be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

Panasonic FP8 vs Sony A57 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FP8 vs Sony A57 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FP8 vs Sony A57 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FP8 Portrait photography features
Sony A57 Portrait photography features
21
lack of manual focus
no manual mode
external flash not possible
low MP (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
74
manual focus
megapixel count good (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
comes with face detection autofocus
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic FP8
Street photography with Sony A57
55
has image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
more heavy than others in class (151g)
75
fully articulated screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Panasonic FP8 Sports photography features
Sony A57 Sports photography features
24
has image stabilization (Optical)
low max shutter speed (1/1,300s)
max frames per second low (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
78
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
comes with tracking autofocus
sensor has phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FP8 Travel photography info
Sony A57 Travel photography info
56
built-in flash
quite wide (28mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
more heavy than others in class (151 grams)
low MP (12MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
67
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
selfie friendly screen
does not have Time Lapse mode
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FP8 Landscape photography highlights
Sony A57 Landscape photography highlights
32
quite wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
small screen (2.7")
no manual mode
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
doesn't have Timelapse function
72
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
does not have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FP8 as a Vlogging camera
Sony A57 as a Vlogging camera
28
quite wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
display isn't selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have external microphone port
more heavy than others in class (151 grams)
77
selfie friendly screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detection autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
includes external mic socket
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Panasonic FP8 vs Sony A57 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FP8 and Sony A57
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP8Sony SLT-A57
General Information
Brand Panasonic Sony
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP8 Sony SLT-A57
Class Ultracompact Entry-Level DSLR
Announced 2009-07-27 2012-09-13
Physical type Ultracompact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by Venus Engine V -
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4000 x 3000 4912 x 3264
Max native ISO 6400 16000
Max enhanced ISO - 25600
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 11 15
Cross type focus points - 3
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens zoom range 28-128mm (4.6x) -
Largest aperture f/3.3-5.9 -
Macro focusing range 5cm -
Number of lenses - 143
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1.5
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Display size 2.7 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 230 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display technology - Xtra Fine TFT drive with TruBlack technology
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,440 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.7x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/1300 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 2.0 frames per sec 12.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 5.50 m 10.00 m (@ ISO 100)
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
Fastest flash synchronize - 1/160 secs
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 (60p, 24p), 1440 x 1080 (30p), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 151g (0.33 lbs) 618g (1.36 lbs)
Physical dimensions 96 x 60 x 20mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 0.8") 132 x 98 x 81mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.2")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 75
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.4
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 13.0
DXO Low light rating not tested 785
Other
Battery life - 550 shots
Battery type - Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots One One
Cost at release $300 $1,000