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Panasonic FS12 vs Sony HX7V

Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
14
Overall
26
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX7V front
Portability
92
Imaging
39
Features
37
Overall
38

Panasonic FS12 vs Sony HX7V 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 HX7V
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 208g - 102 x 58 x 29mm
  • Introduced July 2011
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Panasonic FS12 vs Sony HX7V Overview

On this page, we will be analyzing the Panasonic FS12 and Sony HX7V, former is a Ultracompact while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by competitors Panasonic and Sony. There exists a sizable gap among the resolutions of the FS12 (12MP) and HX7V (16MP) but both cameras have the same sensor size (1/2.3").

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The FS12 was announced 3 years before the HX7V which is a fairly significant difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of the cameras have different body design with the Panasonic FS12 being a Ultracompact camera and the Sony HX7V being a Compact camera.

Before we go straight to a thorough comparison, here is a quick summary of how the FS12 matches up vs the HX7V when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FS12 over the Sony HX7V

 FS12 HX7V 

Reasons to pick Sony HX7V over the Panasonic FS12

 HX7V FS12 
IntroducedJuly 2011April 2009Newer by 27 months
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution921k230kClearer screen (+691k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic FS12 and Sony HX7V

 FS12 HX7V 
Manual focus No manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch screen Missing Touch screen

Panasonic FS12 vs Sony HX7V Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to travel with your camera regularly, you have to consider its weight and proportions. The Panasonic FS12 has exterior measurements of 97mm x 55mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.9") along with a weight of 129 grams (0.28 lbs) whilst the Sony HX7V has measurements of 102mm x 58mm x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1") and a weight of 208 grams (0.46 lbs).

Take a look at the Panasonic FS12 and Sony HX7V in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are utilising at that moment. Here is a front view overall size comparison of the FS12 compared to the HX7V.

Panasonic FS12 vs Sony HX7V size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the FS12 and HX7V is 95 and 92 respectively.

Panasonic FS12 vs Sony HX7V top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FS12 vs Sony HX7V Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it can be tough to imagine the contrast in sensor dimensions merely by viewing specifications. The picture below might give you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the FS12 and HX7V.

To sum up, the 2 cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit different resolution. You can expect the Sony HX7V to result in extra detail with its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop pictures a bit more aggressively. The more aged FS12 will be disadvantaged in sensor tech.

Panasonic FS12 vs Sony HX7V sensor size comparison

Panasonic FS12 vs Sony HX7V Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FS12 vs Sony HX7V Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FS12 Portrait photography advice
Sony HX7V Portrait photography advice
21
lack of manual focus
no manual control
cannot use external flash
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW files
30
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
no manual control
no external flash support
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FS12 Street photography advice
Sony HX7V Street photography advice
57
image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW files
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FS12 Sports photography info
Sony HX7V Sports photography info
25
image stabilization (Optical)
low frames per second (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
39
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
no shutter priority mode
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FS12 as a Travel photography camera
Sony HX7V as a Travel photography camera
51
built-in flash
missing Timelapse function
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not good (31mm)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
67
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
flash built-in
rather wide (25mm)
long reach (250mm)
missing Timelapse function
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FS12 Landscape photography advice
Sony HX7V Landscape photography advice
28
image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (31mm)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
no manual control
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW files
missing Timelapse function
42
rather wide (25mm)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
no manual control
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
missing Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FS12 Vlogging information
Sony HX7V Vlogging information
25
image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not good (31mm)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
display isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (640 x 480 pxls)
missing microphone support
32
rather wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
screen is not selfie friendly
missing external microphone jack
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Panasonic FS12 vs Sony HX7V Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FS12 and Sony HX7V
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX7V
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Sony
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX7V
Class Ultracompact Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2009-04-17 2011-07-19
Body design Ultracompact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip - BIONZ
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Full resolution 4000 x 3000 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 1600 3200
Max boosted ISO 6400 -
Minimum native ISO 80 125
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
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 fixed lens
Lens zoom range 31-124mm (4.0x) 25-250mm (10.0x)
Highest aperture f/2.8-5.9 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focusing range 5cm -
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.7" 3"
Screen resolution 230k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen tech - XtraFine LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 2.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 6.30 m 4.80 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 640x480 1920x1080
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 129g (0.28 lb) 208g (0.46 lb)
Physical dimensions 97 x 55 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.9") 102 x 58 x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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-BG1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots 1 1
Launch pricing $228 $499