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Panasonic FS12 vs Sony NEX-F3

Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
14
Overall
26
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-F3 front
Portability
86
Imaging
57
Features
60
Overall
58

Panasonic FS12 vs Sony NEX-F3 Key Specs

Panasonic FS12
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • 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
  • Announced April 2009
Sony NEX-F3
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 200 - 16000
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 314g - 117 x 67 x 42mm
  • Announced August 2012
  • Replaced the Sony NEX-C3
  • Successor is Sony NEX-3N
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Panasonic FS12 vs Sony NEX-F3 Overview

Following is a comprehensive assessment of the Panasonic FS12 vs Sony NEX-F3, one is a Ultracompact and the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by competitors Panasonic and Sony. There exists a crucial gap between the resolutions of the FS12 (12MP) and NEX-F3 (16MP) and the FS12 (1/2.3") and NEX-F3 (APS-C) feature different sensor size.

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The FS12 was brought out 4 years prior to the NEX-F3 which is quite a serious gap as far as technology is concerned. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic FS12 being a Ultracompact camera and the Sony NEX-F3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving straight into a thorough comparison, below is a quick synopsis of how the FS12 scores versus the NEX-F3 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FS12 over the Sony NEX-F3

 FS12 NEX-F3 

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-F3 over the Panasonic FS12

 NEX-F3 FS12 
AnnouncedAugust 2012April 2009More modern by 40 months
Manual focus Very exact focusing
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution920k230kSharper display (+690k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic FS12 and Sony NEX-F3

 FS12 NEX-F3 
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch display Neither includes Touch display

Panasonic FS12 vs Sony NEX-F3 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is looking to carry around your camera regularly, you should factor in its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic FS12 features outside measurements of 97mm x 55mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 129 grams (0.28 lbs) whilst the Sony NEX-F3 has dimensions of 117mm x 67mm x 42mm (4.6" x 2.6" x 1.7") accompanied by a weight of 314 grams (0.69 lbs).

Compare the Panasonic FS12 vs Sony NEX-F3 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you have at that time. Following is the front view measurement comparison of the FS12 versus the NEX-F3.

Panasonic FS12 vs Sony NEX-F3 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the FS12 and NEX-F3 is 95 and 86 respectively.

Panasonic FS12 vs Sony NEX-F3 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FS12 vs Sony NEX-F3 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is hard to visualize the contrast between sensor sizes simply by reviewing specifications. The picture underneath may provide you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the FS12 and NEX-F3.

Plainly, the two cameras enjoy different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The FS12 due to its tinier sensor is going to make shooting shallower depth of field harder and the Sony NEX-F3 will offer greater detail having its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will also help you crop photos far more aggressively. The more aged FS12 is going to be behind when it comes to sensor technology.

Panasonic FS12 vs Sony NEX-F3 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FS12 vs Sony NEX-F3 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FS12 vs Sony NEX-F3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic FS12
Portrait photography with Sony NEX-F3
21
lack of manual focus
no manual mode
no external flash support
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
74
you can focus manually
MP count good (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FS12 as a Street photography camera
Sony NEX-F3 as a Street photography camera
57
has image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
76
has a tilting screen
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FS12 as a Sports photography camera
Sony NEX-F3 as a Sports photography camera
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
low frames per second (2.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
53
MP count good (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
better than average battery (470 per charge)
low fps (6.0 fps)
lack of image stabilization
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FS12 Travel photography details
Sony NEX-F3 Travel photography details
51
built-in flash
lack of Time Lapse recording
sensor resolution low (12MP)
does not have selfie friendly display
wide angle not the best (31mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
69
better than average battery (470 per charge)
MP count good (16MP)
built-in flash
missing Timelapse mode
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FS12 Landscape photography features
Sony NEX-F3 Landscape photography features
28
has image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (31mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
no manual mode
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
lack of Time Lapse recording
70
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Sony E mount)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
MP count good (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
better than average battery (470 per charge)
lack of image stabilization
missing Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FS12 Vlogging factors
Sony NEX-F3 Vlogging factors
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not the best (31mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
does not have selfie friendly display
low res video (640 x 480 resolution)
lack of mic jack
27
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
missing external microphone port
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Panasonic FS12 vs Sony NEX-F3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FS12 and Sony NEX-F3
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12Sony Alpha NEX-F3
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Sony
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12 Sony Alpha NEX-F3
Type Ultracompact Entry-Level Mirrorless
Announced 2009-04-17 2012-08-16
Body design Ultracompact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip - Bionz
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4000 x 3000 4912 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 1600 16000
Maximum boosted ISO 6400 -
Minimum native ISO 80 200
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points - 25
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Sony E
Lens focal range 31-124mm (4.0x) -
Maximum aperture f/2.8-5.9 -
Macro focus range 5cm -
Amount of lenses - 121
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1.5
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Tilting
Display size 2.7 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 230 thousand dot 920 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display tech - TFT Xtra Fine LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic (optional)
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 2.0fps 6.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 6.30 m -
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync - 1/160 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) 1920 x 1080 (60, 24 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 640x480 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
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 grams (0.28 lb) 314 grams (0.69 lb)
Dimensions 97 x 55 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.9") 117 x 67 x 42mm (4.6" x 2.6" x 1.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 73
DXO Color Depth score not tested 22.7
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 12.3
DXO Low light score not tested 1114
Other
Battery life - 470 photographs
Type of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model - NPFW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec 3 or 5 images)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC card, Internal SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots Single Single
Retail price $228 $470