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Panasonic FS12 vs Sony A850

Portability
95
Imaging
34
Features
14
Overall
26
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A850 front
Portability
54
Imaging
68
Features
60
Overall
64

Panasonic FS12 vs Sony A850 Key Specs

Panasonic FS12
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600 (Push 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 A850
(Full Review)
  • 25MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 3200 (Bump to 6400)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 895g - 156 x 117 x 82mm
  • Launched April 2010
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Panasonic FS12 vs Sony A850 Overview

Following is a in-depth comparison of the Panasonic FS12 and Sony A850, one is a Ultracompact and the other is a Advanced DSLR by rivals Panasonic and Sony. There exists a huge gap between the image resolutions of the FS12 (12MP) and A850 (25MP) and the FS12 (1/2.3") and A850 (Full frame) enjoy totally different sensor dimensions.

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The FS12 was launched 12 months earlier than the A850 which means that they are of a similar generation. Both the cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic FS12 being a Ultracompact camera and the Sony A850 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before getting straight into a more detailed comparison, below is a short overview of how the FS12 grades versus the A850 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FS12 over the Sony A850

 FS12 A850 

Reasons to pick Sony A850 over the Panasonic FS12

 A850 FS12 
LaunchedApril 2010April 2009More modern by 12 months
Focus manually Dial accurate focusing
Display dimension3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution922k230kCrisper display (+692k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic FS12 and Sony A850

 FS12 A850 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch display Neither provides Touch display

Panasonic FS12 vs Sony A850 Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to carry around your camera regularly, you are going to need to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic FS12 provides physical dimensions of 97mm x 55mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.9") along with a weight of 129 grams (0.28 lbs) while the Sony A850 has dimensions of 156mm x 117mm x 82mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 3.2") accompanied by a weight of 895 grams (1.97 lbs).

Examine the Panasonic FS12 and Sony A850 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are utilising at the time. Underneath is the front view sizing comparison of the FS12 vs the A850.

Panasonic FS12 vs Sony A850 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the FS12 and A850 is 95 and 54 respectively.

Panasonic FS12 vs Sony A850 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FS12 vs Sony A850 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, its tough to see the gap between sensor sizes purely by going over technical specs. The image here may give you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the FS12 and A850.

As you can tell, both of these cameras have got different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The FS12 due to its tinier sensor will make getting bokeh more challenging and the Sony A850 will deliver greater detail utilizing its extra 13MP. Greater resolution will also help you crop images much more aggressively. The more aged FS12 is going to be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.

Panasonic FS12 vs Sony A850 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FS12 vs Sony A850 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FS12 vs Sony A850 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FS12 Portrait photography information
Sony A850 Portrait photography information
20
manual focus not available
lack of manual exposure
no external flash support
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
72
focusing manually
excellent MP (25MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
saves RAW files
doesn't have liveview
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic FS12
Street photography with Sony A850
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
66
image stabilization (Sensor based)
great sensor size (Full frame)
saves RAW files
environment sealing
screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FS12 Sports photography details
Sony A850 Sports photography details
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
71
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
excellent MP (25MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
environment sealing
comes with phase detect auto focus
doesn't have liveview
max fps low (3.0 fps)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic FS12
Travel photography with Sony A850
51
built-in flash
lack of Time Lapse recording
sensor resolution low (12MP)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
wide angle not the best (31mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
55
environment sealing
excellent MP (25 megapixels)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
doesn't have selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic FS12
Landscape photography with Sony A850
27
built in image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (31mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
lack of manual exposure
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
lack of Time Lapse recording
73
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
excellent MP (25MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
saves RAW files
environment sealing
has dual storage slots
doesn't have liveview
doesn't have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FS12 as a Vlogging camera
Sony A850 as a Vlogging camera
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not the best (31mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
video resolution low (640 x 480 resolution)
lack of external mic jack
9
can't shoot video
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Panasonic FS12 vs Sony A850 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FS12 and Sony A850
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12Sony Alpha DSLR-A850
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Sony
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12 Sony Alpha DSLR-A850
Type Ultracompact Advanced DSLR
Revealed 2009-04-17 2010-04-15
Body design Ultracompact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Chip - Bionz
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Full frame
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 25MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4000 x 3000 6048 x 4032
Highest native ISO 1600 3200
Highest boosted ISO 6400 6400
Minimum native ISO 80 200
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens focal range 31-124mm (4.0x) -
Largest aperture f/2.8-5.9 -
Macro focus distance 5cm -
Amount of lenses - 143
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 2.7 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 230k dot 922k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display tech - TFT Xtra Fine color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 98 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.74x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 2.0 frames per second 3.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 6.30 m no built-in flash
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync - 1/250 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
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 format Motion JPEG -
Microphone input
Headphone input
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 129g (0.28 pounds) 895g (1.97 pounds)
Dimensions 97 x 55 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.9") 156 x 117 x 82mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 3.2")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 79
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.8
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 12.2
DXO Low light score not tested 1415
Other
Battery life - 880 photographs
Battery format - Battery Pack
Battery model - NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC card, Internal Compact Flash (Type I or II), UDMA, Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo
Storage slots One Two
Retail pricing $228 $0