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Panasonic FS12 vs Sony A700

Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
14
Overall
26
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A700 front
Portability
58
Imaging
51
Features
58
Overall
53

Panasonic FS12 vs Sony A700 Key Specs

Panasonic FS12
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • 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
  • Introduced April 2009
Sony A700
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 768g - 142 x 105 x 80mm
  • Released December 2007
  • Replaced the Konica Minolta 7D
  • Renewed by Sony A77
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Panasonic FS12 vs Sony A700 Overview

In this write-up, we will be reviewing the Panasonic FS12 vs Sony A700, former is a Ultracompact while the latter is a Advanced DSLR by competitors Panasonic and Sony. The image resolution of the FS12 (12MP) and the A700 (12MP) is relatively similar but the FS12 (1/2.3") and A700 (APS-C) enjoy totally different sensor sizes.

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The FS12 was launched 17 months after the A700 which makes the cameras a generation away from one another. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic FS12 being a Ultracompact camera and the Sony A700 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before going through a full comparison, below is a simple summation of how the FS12 grades against the A700 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FS12 over the Sony A700

 FS12 A700 
ReleasedApril 2009December 2007More modern by 17 months

Reasons to pick Sony A700 over the Panasonic FS12

 A700 FS12 
Manual focus More exact focusing
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution920k230kClearer screen (+690k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic FS12 and Sony A700

 FS12 A700 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch screen Lacking Touch screen

Panasonic FS12 vs Sony A700 Physical Comparison

If you are planning to carry around your camera, you have to factor its weight and size. The Panasonic FS12 offers physical measurements of 97mm x 55mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.9") having a weight of 129 grams (0.28 lbs) whilst the Sony A700 has specifications of 142mm x 105mm x 80mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.1") and a weight of 768 grams (1.69 lbs).

Look at the Panasonic FS12 vs Sony A700 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are working with at that time. Following is the front view measurement comparison of the FS12 and the A700.

Panasonic FS12 vs Sony A700 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the FS12 and A700 is 95 and 58 respectively.

Panasonic FS12 vs Sony A700 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FS12 vs Sony A700 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, its hard to visualise the contrast between sensor sizes simply by going over technical specs. The picture below might offer you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the FS12 and A700.

As you have seen, each of these cameras enjoy the same exact megapixel count albeit not the same sensor sizes. The FS12 contains the tinier sensor which is going to make achieving bokeh trickier. The fresher FS12 is going to have a benefit in sensor technology.

Panasonic FS12 vs Sony A700 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FS12 vs Sony A700 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FS12 vs Sony A700 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic FS12
Portrait photography with Sony A700
21
manual focus not available
lack of manual exposure
external flash not possible
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
54
has manual focus
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
no liveview
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic FS12
Street photography with Sony A700
57
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
64
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
weather proofing
screen is fixed
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic FS12
Sports photography with Sony A700
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
slow fps (2.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
56
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
weather proofing
sensor has phase detect AF
no liveview
slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames per second)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FS12 Travel photography information
Sony A700 Travel photography information
51
has built in flash
lack of Timelapse mode
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not great (31mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
49
weather proofing
flash built-in
missing Time Lapse function
sensor resolution low (12MP)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FS12 Landscape photography advice
Sony A700 Landscape photography advice
28
built in image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (31mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
lack of manual exposure
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
lack of Timelapse mode
62
has manual focus
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
weather proofing
2 card slots
no liveview
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
missing Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FS12 as a Vlogging camera
Sony A700 as a Vlogging camera
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not great (31mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video resolution low (640 x 480 pxls)
lack of microphone port
9
can't record video
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Panasonic FS12 vs Sony A700 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FS12 and Sony A700
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12Sony Alpha DSLR-A700
General Information
Make Panasonic Sony
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12 Sony Alpha DSLR-A700
Category Ultracompact Advanced DSLR
Introduced 2009-04-17 2007-12-19
Physical type Ultracompact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
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 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4000 x 3000 4272 x 2848
Maximum native ISO 1600 6400
Maximum enhanced ISO 6400 -
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points - 11
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens focal range 31-124mm (4.0x) -
Maximal aperture f/2.8-5.9 -
Macro focus distance 5cm -
Available lenses - 143
Crop factor 5.9 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.7 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 230k dots 920k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.6x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 2.0 frames per sec 5.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 6.30 m 12.00 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, rear curtain, Off
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize - 1/250 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported 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 support
Headphone support
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 129g (0.28 lb) 768g (1.69 lb)
Dimensions 97 x 55 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.9") 142 x 105 x 80mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 66
DXO Color Depth score not tested 22.3
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 11.9
DXO Low light score not tested 581
Other
Battery model - NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC card, Internal Compact Flash (Type I or II), Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo
Card slots One 2
Launch price $228 $1,000