Panasonic FP8 vs Sony A57
95 Imaging
34 Features
20 Overall
28


64 Imaging
57 Features
85 Overall
68
Panasonic FP8 vs Sony A57 Key Specs
(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
(Full Review)

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.

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.

Panasonic FP8 vs Sony A57 Gallery
This is a sample of the gallery pics for Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP8 & Sony SLT-A57. The full galleries are provided at Panasonic FP8 Gallery & Sony A57 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Panasonic FP8 over the Sony A57
FP8 | A57 |
---|
Reasons to pick Sony A57 over the Panasonic FP8
A57 | FP8 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | September 2012 | ![]() | July 2009 | More modern by 38 months |
Manual focus | ![]() | More precise focus | ||
Display type | Fully Articulated | ![]() | Fixed | Fully Articulating display |
Display size | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Larger display (+0.3") |
Display resolution | 921k | ![]() | 230k | Clearer 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.
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.

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

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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FP8 vs Sony A57 Specifications
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP8 | Sony 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 |