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Panasonic FS12 vs Sony A380

Portability
95
Imaging
34
Features
14
Overall
26
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A380 front
Portability
68
Imaging
53
Features
54
Overall
53

Panasonic FS12 vs Sony A380 Key Specs

Panasonic FS12
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600 (Boost to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 31-124mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 129g - 97 x 55 x 22mm
  • Introduced April 2009
Sony A380
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 519g - 128 x 97 x 71mm
  • Launched August 2009
  • Superseded the Sony A350
  • Successor is Sony A390
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Panasonic FS12 vs Sony A380 Overview

The following is a comprehensive comparison of the Panasonic FS12 and Sony A380, former is a Ultracompact while the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by manufacturers Panasonic and Sony. The resolution of the FS12 (12MP) and the A380 (14MP) is very well matched but the FS12 (1/2.3") and A380 (APS-C) boast different sensor measurements.

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The FS12 was launched 4 months before the A380 so they are of a similar age. Each of these cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic FS12 being a Ultracompact camera and the Sony A380 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before going straight to a step-by-step comparison, here is a concise summary of how the FS12 scores vs the A380 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FS12 over the Sony A380

 FS12 A380 

Reasons to pick Sony A380 over the Panasonic FS12

 A380 FS12 
Manual focus Dial precise focusing
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display

Common features in the Panasonic FS12 and Sony A380

 FS12 A380 
LaunchedApril 2009August 2009Similar age
Display size2.7"2.7"Same display measurements
Display resolution230k230kEqual display resolution
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither offers Touch friendly display

Panasonic FS12 vs Sony A380 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is aiming to travel with your camera frequently, you'll need to take into account its weight and size. The Panasonic FS12 offers outside dimensions of 97mm x 55mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.9") with a weight of 129 grams (0.28 lbs) while the Sony A380 has specifications of 128mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.8") having a weight of 519 grams (1.14 lbs).

Check out the Panasonic FS12 and Sony A380 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are working with during that time. Below is a front view overall size comparison of the FS12 versus the A380.

Panasonic FS12 vs Sony A380 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the FS12 and A380 is 95 and 68 respectively.

Panasonic FS12 vs Sony A380 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FS12 vs Sony A380 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is difficult to picture the contrast between sensor dimensions merely by checking specs. The picture below may provide you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the FS12 and A380.

All in all, each of the cameras come with different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The FS12 because of its tinier sensor is going to make achieving shallower depth of field trickier and the Sony A380 will give greater detail utilizing its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will also let you crop photos a good deal more aggressively.

Panasonic FS12 vs Sony A380 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FS12 vs Sony A380 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FS12 vs Sony A380 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic FS12
Portrait photography with Sony A380
20
manual focus not available
lack of manual exposure
cannot use external flash
low resolution (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
71
you can focus manually
MP count decent (14MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
includes face detect focus
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FS12 Street photography advice
Sony A380 Street photography advice
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
76
has a tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FS12 as a Sports photography camera
Sony A380 as a Sports photography camera
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
low resolution (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
59
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect auto focus
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
low battery life (500 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FS12 Travel photography factors
Sony A380 Travel photography factors
51
built-in flash
no Timelapse recording
low resolution (12MP)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
wide angle not fantastic (31mm)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
53
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
missing Time Lapse function
low battery life (500 per charge)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FS12 Landscape photography highlights
Sony A380 Landscape photography highlights
27
has image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (31mm)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
lack of manual exposure
low resolution (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
no Timelapse recording
61
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
low battery life (500 CIPA)
missing Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FS12 as a Vlogging camera
Sony A380 as a Vlogging camera
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not fantastic (31mm)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
low res video (640 x 480 pxls)
no microphone jack
9
can't record video
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Panasonic FS12 vs Sony A380 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FS12 and Sony A380
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12Sony Alpha DSLR-A380
General Information
Brand Panasonic Sony
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12 Sony Alpha DSLR-A380
Class Ultracompact Entry-Level DSLR
Introduced 2009-04-17 2009-08-24
Physical type Ultracompact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Bionz
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.6 x 15.8mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 372.9mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4000 x 3000 4592 x 3056
Maximum native ISO 1600 3200
Maximum enhanced ISO 6400 -
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens zoom range 31-124mm (4.0x) -
Maximum aperture f/2.8-5.9 -
Macro focusing distance 5cm -
Total lenses - 143
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen diagonal 2.7 inch 2.7 inch
Screen resolution 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.49x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 2.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 6.30 m 10.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize - 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) -
Maximum video resolution 640x480 None
Video format Motion JPEG -
Mic 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
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 129g (0.28 lb) 519g (1.14 lb)
Physical dimensions 97 x 55 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.9") 128 x 97 x 71mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 67
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 22.6
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 11.8
DXO Low light rating not tested 614
Other
Battery life - 500 shots
Battery type - Battery Pack
Battery ID - 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
Card slots One One
Launch cost $228 $899