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Panasonic FS12 vs Sony RX10 IV

Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
14
Overall
26
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 IV front
Portability
52
Imaging
53
Features
82
Overall
64

Panasonic FS12 vs Sony RX10 IV Key Specs

Panasonic FS12
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • 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
  • Launched April 2009
Sony RX10 IV
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 125 - 12800 (Bump to 25600)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 24-600mm (F2.4-4.0) lens
  • 1095g - 133 x 94 x 145mm
  • Introduced September 2017
  • Superseded the Sony RX10 III
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Panasonic FS12 vs Sony RX10 IV Overview

Following is a in-depth review of the Panasonic FS12 versus Sony RX10 IV, one is a Ultracompact and the latter is a Large Sensor Superzoom by competitors Panasonic and Sony. There is a significant difference between the image resolutions of the FS12 (12MP) and RX10 IV (20MP) and the FS12 (1/2.3") and RX10 IV (1") offer totally different sensor size.

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The FS12 was revealed 9 years earlier than the RX10 IV which is quite a sizable gap as far as tech is concerned. Both of these cameras have different body design with the Panasonic FS12 being a Ultracompact camera and the Sony RX10 IV being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before we go right into a more detailed comparison, here is a simple summary of how the FS12 matches up versus the RX10 IV with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FS12 over the Sony RX10 IV

 FS12 RX10 IV 

Reasons to pick Sony RX10 IV over the Panasonic FS12

 RX10 IV FS12 
IntroducedSeptember 2017April 2009More modern by 102 months
Manual focus Very exact focus
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution1440k230kSharper screen (+1210k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Panasonic FS12 and Sony RX10 IV

 FS12 RX10 IV 
Selfie screen No selfie screen

Panasonic FS12 vs Sony RX10 IV Physical Comparison

For anybody who is going to carry around your camera regularly, you're going to have to consider its weight and size. The Panasonic FS12 provides physical dimensions 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 RX10 IV has specifications of 133mm x 94mm x 145mm (5.2" x 3.7" x 5.7") having a weight of 1095 grams (2.41 lbs).

See the Panasonic FS12 versus Sony RX10 IV in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are using at that time. Underneath is a front view sizing comparison of the FS12 compared to the RX10 IV.

Panasonic FS12 vs Sony RX10 IV size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the FS12 and RX10 IV is 95 and 52 respectively.

Panasonic FS12 vs Sony RX10 IV top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FS12 vs Sony RX10 IV Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is difficult to visualise the difference between sensor sizes merely by looking at specs. The picture below may provide you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the FS12 and RX10 IV.

As you can plainly see, both of these cameras provide different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The FS12 using its tinier sensor will make getting bokeh trickier and the Sony RX10 IV will resolve greater detail because of its extra 8MP. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop shots more aggressively. The more aged FS12 is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.

Panasonic FS12 vs Sony RX10 IV sensor size comparison

Panasonic FS12 vs Sony RX10 IV Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FS12 vs Sony RX10 IV Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic FS12
Portrait photography with Sony RX10 IV
21
manual focus not available
manual mode not possible
can't use external flash
low resolution (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
71
has manual focus
high flash sync (1/2,000s)
megapixel count decent (20 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (1")
has face detection focus
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FS12 as a Street photography camera
Sony RX10 IV as a Street photography camera
57
image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
64
screen tilts
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor size is nice (1")
delivers RAW formats
has focus via touch
weather proof
more heavy than others (1,095g)
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Panasonic FS12 as a Sports photography camera
Sony RX10 IV as a Sports photography camera
25
image stabilization (Optical)
slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
low resolution (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
76
incredible zoom range (24-600mm 25.0 x zoom)
silent shooting (1/32,000s)
max fps high (24.0 fps)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (20MP)
sensor size is nice (1")
has tracking autofocus
weather proof
has phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic FS12
Travel photography with Sony RX10 IV
51
has built in flash
no Time Lapse function
low resolution (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
wide angle not the best (31mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
56
weather proof
connects via bluetooth
has focus via touch
megapixel count decent (20 megapixels)
built-in flash
pretty wide (24mm)
long reach (600mm)
no Timelapse function
more heavy than others (1,095g)
does not have selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.4)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FS12 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony RX10 IV as a Landscape photography camera
28
image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (31mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
small screen (2.7 inches)
manual mode not possible
low resolution (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
no Time Lapse function
62
has manual focus
pretty wide (24mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (20 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (1")
delivers RAW formats
weather proof
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.4)
no Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FS12 as a Vlogging camera
Sony RX10 IV as a Vlogging camera
25
image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not the best (31mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
display is not selfie friendly
video res low (640 x 480 pixels)
no external mic port
29
pretty wide (24mm)
touchscreen capability
has image stabilization (Optical)
has face detection focus
high res video (3840 x 2160 pixels)
has external microphone jack
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.4)
does not have selfie friendly screen
more heavy than others (1,095g)
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Panasonic FS12 vs Sony RX10 IV Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FS12 and Sony RX10 IV
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 IV
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Sony
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 IV
Category Ultracompact Large Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2009-04-17 2017-09-12
Body design Ultracompact SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Chip - Bionz X
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 13.2 x 8.8mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 116.2mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 20 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4000 x 3000 5472 x 3648
Max native ISO 1600 12800
Max enhanced ISO 6400 25600
Lowest native ISO 80 125
RAW images
Lowest enhanced ISO - 64
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points - 315
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 31-124mm (4.0x) 24-600mm (25.0x)
Max aperture f/2.8-5.9 f/2.4-4.0
Macro focusing distance 5cm 3cm
Crop factor 5.9 2.7
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen diagonal 2.7 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 230 thousand dot 1,440 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,359 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.7x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Fastest silent shutter speed - 1/32000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 2.0 frames per second 24.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 6.30 m 10.80 m (at Auto ISO)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, fill-flash, slow sync, rear sync, off
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync - 1/2000 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 3840 x 2160 (30p, 25p, 24p), 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 24p) ,1440 x 1080 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Max video resolution 640x480 3840x2160
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
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 129 gr (0.28 pounds) 1095 gr (2.41 pounds)
Physical dimensions 97 x 55 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.9") 133 x 94 x 145mm (5.2" x 3.7" x 5.7")
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 life - 400 pictures
Type of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-FW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, continuous)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots Single Single
Price at release $228 $1,698