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Panasonic FS12 vs Sony HX1

Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
14
Overall
26
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX1 front
Portability
67
Imaging
32
Features
36
Overall
33

Panasonic FS12 vs Sony HX1 Key Specs

Panasonic FS12
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600 (Increase 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 HX1
(Full Review)
  • 9MP - 1/2.4" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 125 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1440 x 1080 video
  • 28-560mm (F2.8-5.2) lens
  • 544g - 115 x 83 x 92mm
  • Released April 2009
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Panasonic FS12 vs Sony HX1 Overview

In this article, we are analyzing the Panasonic FS12 and Sony HX1, one is a Ultracompact and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by competitors Panasonic and Sony. There is a crucial difference among the image resolutions of the FS12 (12MP) and HX1 (9MP) and the FS12 (1/2.3") and HX1 (1/2.4") use different sensor sizing.

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The FS12 was revealed at a similar time to the HX1 so they are of a similar generation. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic FS12 being a Ultracompact camera and the Sony HX1 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before delving straight into a in-depth comparison, below is a concise view of how the FS12 scores vs the HX1 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FS12 over the Sony HX1

 FS12 HX1 

Reasons to pick Sony HX1 over the Panasonic FS12

 HX1 FS12 
Focus manually More accurate focus
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")

Common features in the Panasonic FS12 and Sony HX1

 FS12 HX1 
ReleasedApril 2009April 2009Same generation
Display resolution230k230kExact same display resolution
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither contains Touch friendly display

Panasonic FS12 vs Sony HX1 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is intending to carry around your camera, you will need to factor in its weight and proportions. The Panasonic FS12 has got exterior dimensions of 97mm x 55mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.9") and a weight of 129 grams (0.28 lbs) whilst the Sony HX1 has measurements of 115mm x 83mm x 92mm (4.5" x 3.3" x 3.6") with a weight of 544 grams (1.20 lbs).

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Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are using at that moment. The following is the front view proportions comparison of the FS12 compared to the HX1.

Panasonic FS12 vs Sony HX1 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the FS12 and HX1 is 95 and 67 respectively.

Panasonic FS12 vs Sony HX1 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FS12 vs Sony HX1 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is very tough to imagine the difference in sensor sizes merely by checking out a spec sheet. The pic here will give you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the FS12 and HX1.

Clearly, the 2 cameras enjoy different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The FS12 with its larger sensor is going to make getting bokeh less difficult and the Panasonic FS12 will show more detail because of its extra 3MP. Greater resolution will also let you crop photos far more aggressively.

Panasonic FS12 vs Sony HX1 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FS12 vs Sony HX1 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FS12 vs Sony HX1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FS12 Portrait photography factors
Sony HX1 Portrait photography factors
21
no manual focus
manual mode not available
can't use external flash
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
27
manual focus
cannot use external flash
MP count low (9MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.4")
no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FS12 as a Street photography camera
Sony HX1 as a Street photography camera
57
built in image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
50
tilting screen
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor size is very small (1/2.4")
no RAW files
heavier than competition in class (544 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic FS12
Sports photography with Sony HX1
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
36
long zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count low (9MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.4")
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FS12 as a Travel photography camera
Sony HX1 as a Travel photography camera
51
flash built-in
lack of Time Lapse mode
low megapixels (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
wide angle not the best (31mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
48
flash built-in
decently wide (28mm)
long reach (560mm)
lack of Time Lapse mode
heavier than competition in class (544g)
MP count low (9MP)
does not feature selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic FS12
Landscape photography with Sony HX1
28
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (31mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
small screen (2.7 inch)
manual mode not available
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
lack of Time Lapse mode
39
manual focus
decently wide (28mm)
screen size is good (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
MP count low (9 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.4")
no RAW files
lack of Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FS12 as a Vlogging camera
Sony HX1 as a Vlogging camera
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not the best (31mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
display is not selfie friendly
low res video (640 x 480 pixels)
lack of mic support
22
decently wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
does not feature selfie friendly display
low quality video (1440 x 1080 pixels)
lack of external mic jack
heavier than competition in class (544g)
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Panasonic FS12 vs Sony HX1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FS12 and Sony HX1
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX1
General Information
Company Panasonic Sony
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX1
Category Ultracompact Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2009-04-17 2009-04-22
Body design Ultracompact SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Powered by - Bionz
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.4"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.104 x 4.578mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 27.9mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 9 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4000 x 3000 3456 x 2592
Maximum native ISO 1600 3200
Maximum enhanced ISO 6400 -
Minimum native ISO 80 125
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points - 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 31-124mm (4.0x) 28-560mm (20.0x)
Highest aperture f/2.8-5.9 f/2.8-5.2
Macro focusing distance 5cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display diagonal 2.7 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 2.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 6.30 m 9.20 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Front Curtain, Rear Curtain
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
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) 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 640x480 1440x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG H.264
Mic 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
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 129g (0.28 lbs) 544g (1.20 lbs)
Dimensions 97 x 55 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.9") 115 x 83 x 92mm (4.5" x 3.3" x 3.6")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery ID - NP-FH50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC card, Internal Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Cost at release $228 $47,999