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Panasonic FS12 vs Sony A100

Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
14
Overall
26
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A100 front
Portability
64
Imaging
48
Features
38
Overall
44

Panasonic FS12 vs Sony A100 Key Specs

Panasonic FS12
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600 (Raise to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 31-124mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 129g - 97 x 55 x 22mm
  • Revealed April 2009
Sony A100
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 638g - 133 x 95 x 71mm
  • Announced July 2006
  • Succeeded the Konica Minolta 5D
  • Replacement is Sony A550
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Panasonic FS12 vs Sony A100 Overview

Here, we will be matching up the Panasonic FS12 versus Sony A100, former is a Ultracompact while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by brands Panasonic and Sony. The image resolution of the FS12 (12MP) and the A100 (10MP) is pretty close but the FS12 (1/2.3") and A100 (APS-C) provide totally different sensor sizing.

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The FS12 was brought out 2 years after the A100 which is a fairly significant difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of these cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic FS12 being a Ultracompact camera and the Sony A100 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before diving into a more detailed comparison, here is a brief highlight of how the FS12 grades vs the A100 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FS12 over the Sony A100

 FS12 A100 
AnnouncedApril 2009July 2006More modern by 34 months
Screen size2.7"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.2")

Reasons to pick Sony A100 over the Panasonic FS12

 A100 FS12 
Focus manually Dial exact focusing

Common features in the Panasonic FS12 and Sony A100

 FS12 A100 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kIdentical screen resolution
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch friendly screen No Touch friendly screen

Panasonic FS12 vs Sony A100 Physical Comparison

When you are going to carry around your camera often, you will need to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic FS12 comes with exterior measurements of 97mm x 55mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.9") and a weight of 129 grams (0.28 lbs) and the Sony A100 has dimensions of 133mm x 95mm x 71mm (5.2" x 3.7" x 2.8") accompanied by a weight of 638 grams (1.41 lbs).

Check out the Panasonic FS12 versus Sony A100 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you choose at that time. Underneath is a front view measurement comparison of the FS12 vs the A100.

Panasonic FS12 vs Sony A100 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the FS12 and A100 is 95 and 64 respectively.

Panasonic FS12 vs Sony A100 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FS12 vs Sony A100 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is difficult to envision the gap in sensor sizes merely by researching specs. The image below may give you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the FS12 and A100.

As you can plainly see, both the cameras come with different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The FS12 because of its smaller sensor will make achieving shallower depth of field trickier and the Panasonic FS12 will render more detail having its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop photographs a good deal more aggressively. The newer FS12 is going to have an edge when it comes to sensor tech.

Panasonic FS12 vs Sony A100 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FS12 vs Sony A100 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FS12 vs Sony A100 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic FS12
Portrait photography with Sony A100
21
focusing manually not possible
no manual mode
cannot use external flash
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
52
you can focus manually
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
does not have liveview
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic FS12
Street photography with Sony A100
57
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
64
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
fixed screen
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic FS12
Sports photography with Sony A100
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
slow frames per second (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
49
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
comes with phase detect autofocus
does not have liveview
max fps very slow (3.0 fps)
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FS12 Travel photography advice
Sony A100 Travel photography advice
51
flash built-in
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
wide angle not the best (31mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
45
built-in flash
lack of Timelapse mode
sensor resolution low (10MP)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FS12 Landscape photography information
Sony A100 Landscape photography information
28
built in image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (31mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen is small (2.7 inches)
no manual mode
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
53
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
screen is small (2.5")
does not have liveview
sensor resolution low (10MP)
lack of Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FS12 Vlogging advice
Sony A100 Vlogging advice
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not the best (31mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
video res low (640 x 480 resolution)
doesn't have mic jack
9
no video recording
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Panasonic FS12 vs Sony A100 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FS12 and Sony A100
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12Sony Alpha DSLR-A100
General Information
Make Panasonic Sony
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12 Sony Alpha DSLR-A100
Class Ultracompact Entry-Level DSLR
Revealed 2009-04-17 2006-07-31
Physical type Ultracompact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.6 x 15.8mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 372.9mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 10 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Peak resolution 4000 x 3000 3872 x 2592
Highest native ISO 1600 1600
Highest enhanced ISO 6400 -
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens focal range 31-124mm (4.0x) -
Maximum aperture f/2.8-5.9 -
Macro focus range 5cm -
Number of lenses - 143
Crop factor 5.9 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.7 inches 2.5 inches
Screen resolution 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 95%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.55x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 2.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 6.30 m -
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize - 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) -
Highest video resolution 640x480 None
Video format Motion JPEG -
Microphone port
Headphone port
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 129 grams (0.28 lbs) 638 grams (1.41 lbs)
Physical dimensions 97 x 55 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.9") 133 x 95 x 71mm (5.2" x 3.7" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 61
DXO Color Depth score not tested 22.0
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 11.2
DXO Low light score not tested 476
Other
Battery model - NP-FM55H
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC card, Internal Compact Flash (Type I or II)
Card slots One One
Launch price $228 $1,000