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Panasonic FS12 vs Sony A230

Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
14
Overall
26
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A230 front
Portability
69
Imaging
50
Features
40
Overall
46

Panasonic FS12 vs Sony A230 Key Specs

Panasonic FS12
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600 (Bump to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 31-124mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 129g - 97 x 55 x 22mm
  • Announced April 2009
Sony A230
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 490g - 128 x 97 x 68mm
  • Revealed May 2009
  • Replaced the Sony A200
  • Refreshed by Sony A290
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Panasonic FS12 vs Sony A230 Overview

Let's look a little more in depth at the Panasonic FS12 and Sony A230, former is a Ultracompact while the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by competitors Panasonic and Sony. The image resolution of the FS12 (12MP) and the A230 (10MP) is very close but the FS12 (1/2.3") and A230 (APS-C) feature different sensor size.

Photography Glossary

The FS12 was launched about the same time to the A230 and they are of a similar age. Both the cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic FS12 being a Ultracompact camera and the Sony A230 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before getting through a thorough comparison, below is a short synopsis of how the FS12 grades versus the A230 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FS12 over the Sony A230

 FS12 A230 

Reasons to pick Sony A230 over the Panasonic FS12

 A230 FS12 
Focus manually More precise focusing

Common features in the Panasonic FS12 and Sony A230

 FS12 A230 
RevealedApril 2009May 2009Same age
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimension2.7"2.7"Identical display size
Display resolution230k230kIdentical display resolution
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch friendly display No Touch friendly display

Panasonic FS12 vs Sony A230 Physical Comparison

If you are looking to carry around your camera frequently, you need to consider its weight and size. The Panasonic FS12 has got outside measurements of 97mm x 55mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.9") having a weight of 129 grams (0.28 lbs) and the Sony A230 has specifications of 128mm x 97mm x 68mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.7") having a weight of 490 grams (1.08 lbs).

Look at the Panasonic FS12 and Sony A230 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you select at that moment. Below is the front view measurements comparison of the FS12 vs the A230.

Panasonic FS12 vs Sony A230 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the FS12 and A230 is 95 and 69 respectively.

Panasonic FS12 vs Sony A230 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FS12 vs Sony A230 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it can be difficult to imagine the contrast in sensor sizes merely by looking through specs. The image underneath may give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the FS12 and A230.

All in all, both of these cameras posses different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The FS12 due to its smaller sensor is going to make shooting bokeh more challenging and the Panasonic FS12 will provide you with greater detail utilizing its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will let you crop pics somewhat more aggressively.

Panasonic FS12 vs Sony A230 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FS12 vs Sony A230 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FS12 vs Sony A230 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FS12 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony A230 as a Portrait photography camera
21
lack of manual focus
manual mode not possible
cannot use external flash
MP count low (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
54
manual focus
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW files
no liveview feature
low MP (10 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FS12 as a Street photography camera
Sony A230 as a Street photography camera
57
image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
67
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW files
screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FS12 Sports photography highlights
Sony A230 Sports photography highlights
25
image stabilization (Optical)
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
MP count low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
46
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
has phase detect auto focus
no liveview feature
slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
low MP (10MP)
terrible battery pack (230 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FS12 Travel photography advice
Sony A230 Travel photography advice
51
built-in flash
no Time Lapse mode
MP count low (12 megapixels)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
wide angle not fantastic (31mm)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
45
flash built-in
no Time Lapse function
terrible battery pack (230 CIPA)
low MP (10MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FS12 Landscape photography details
Sony A230 Landscape photography details
28
image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (31mm)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
manual mode not possible
MP count low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
no Time Lapse mode
51
manual focus
switch lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW files
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
no liveview feature
low MP (10 megapixels)
terrible battery pack (230 per charge)
no Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FS12 as a Vlogging camera
Sony A230 as a Vlogging camera
25
image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not fantastic (31mm)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
low res video (640 x 480 pixels)
no external mic socket
9
no video shooting
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Panasonic FS12 vs Sony A230 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FS12 and Sony A230
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12Sony Alpha DSLR-A230
General Information
Make Panasonic Sony
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12 Sony Alpha DSLR-A230
Category Ultracompact Entry-Level DSLR
Announced 2009-04-17 2009-05-18
Body design Ultracompact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor - Bionz
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 10 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4000 x 3000 3872 x 2592
Highest native ISO 1600 3200
Highest enhanced ISO 6400 -
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens focal range 31-124mm (4.0x) -
Maximal aperture f/2.8-5.9 -
Macro focus range 5cm -
Available lenses - 143
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.7 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of display 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 95%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.55x
Features
Min shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 2.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 6.30 m 10.00 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash sync - 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) -
Highest video resolution 640x480 None
Video file format Motion JPEG -
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 129 gr (0.28 lbs) 490 gr (1.08 lbs)
Dimensions 97 x 55 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.9") 128 x 97 x 68mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 63
DXO Color Depth score not tested 22.3
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 11.4
DXO Low light score not tested 531
Other
Battery life - 230 shots
Type of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model - NP-FH50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC card, Internal SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo
Storage slots One One
Pricing at release $228 $569