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Panasonic FS12 vs Sony TF1

Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
14
Overall
26
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TF1 front
Portability
94
Imaging
40
Features
34
Overall
37

Panasonic FS12 vs Sony TF1 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
  • Released April 2009
Sony TF1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-100mm (F3.6-4.7) lens
  • 152g - 102 x 62 x 23mm
  • Released June 2013
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Panasonic FS12 vs Sony TF1 Overview

Here is a thorough review of the Panasonic FS12 and Sony TF1, one being a Ultracompact and the latter is a Waterproof by manufacturers Panasonic and Sony. There is a sizeable difference between the resolutions of the FS12 (12MP) and TF1 (16MP) but they come with the same exact sensor size (1/2.3").

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The FS12 was released 5 years earlier than the TF1 and that is quite a large gap as far as tech is concerned. The two cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic FS12 being a Ultracompact camera and the Sony TF1 being a Compact camera.

Before diving through a step-by-step comparison, below is a brief summary of how the FS12 grades vs the TF1 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FS12 over the Sony TF1

 FS12 TF1 

Reasons to pick Sony TF1 over the Panasonic FS12

 TF1 FS12 
ReleasedJune 2013April 2009Fresher by 50 months
Screen resolution460k230kClearer screen (+230k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Panasonic FS12 and Sony TF1

 FS12 TF1 
Focus manually Lack of manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing2.7"2.7"Equivalent screen size
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen

Panasonic FS12 vs Sony TF1 Physical Comparison

If you're looking to carry your camera frequently, you have to factor its weight and size. The Panasonic FS12 enjoys external dimensions of 97mm x 55mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 129 grams (0.28 lbs) and the Sony TF1 has specifications of 102mm x 62mm x 23mm (4.0" x 2.4" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 152 grams (0.34 lbs).

Examine the Panasonic FS12 and Sony TF1 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you are working with at that moment. Following is the front view measurements comparison of the FS12 versus the TF1.

Panasonic FS12 vs Sony TF1 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the FS12 and TF1 is 95 and 94 respectively.

Panasonic FS12 vs Sony TF1 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FS12 vs Sony TF1 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is very hard to see the contrast between sensor sizing purely by reviewing technical specs. The graphic here may give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the FS12 and TF1.

As you can tell, both of these cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same megapixels. You should count on the Sony TF1 to offer more detail as a result of its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will allow you to crop shots far more aggressively. The older FS12 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.

Panasonic FS12 vs Sony TF1 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FS12 vs Sony TF1 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FS12 vs Sony TF1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FS12 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony TF1 as a Portrait photography camera
21
lack of manual focus
no manual exposure
can't use external flash
low resolution (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
35
MP count good (16 megapixels)
supports face detection focusing
lack of manual focus
no manual mode
external flash not possible
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic FS12
Street photography with Sony TF1
57
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
69
image stabilization (Optical)
supports focus by touch
environment sealing
lighter than average (152g)
fixed screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FS12 Sports photography info
Sony TF1 Sports photography info
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
max frames per second very slow (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
low resolution (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
42
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16MP)
supports tracking autofocus
environment sealing
low frames per second (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
terrible battery power (240 CIPA)
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic FS12
Travel photography with Sony TF1
51
flash built-in
no Timelapse function
low resolution (12 megapixels)
does not feature selfie friendly display
wide angle not great (31mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
69
lighter than average (152g)
environment sealing
supports focus by touch
MP count good (16MP)
flash built-in
fairly wide (25mm)
no Time Lapse function
terrible battery power (240 shots)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.6)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic FS12
Landscape photography with Sony TF1
28
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (31mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
no manual exposure
low resolution (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
no Timelapse function
40
fairly wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16MP)
environment sealing
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.6)
tiny screen (2.7")
no manual mode
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
terrible battery power (240 CIPA)
no Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FS12 Vlogging details
Sony TF1 Vlogging details
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not great (31mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
does not feature selfie friendly display
low res video (640 x 480 pixels)
no microphone jack
33
fairly wide (25mm)
touchscreen functionality
image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detection focusing
lighter than average (152g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.6)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
no external mic socket
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Panasonic FS12 vs Sony TF1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FS12 and Sony TF1
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TF1
General Information
Brand Panasonic Sony
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TF1
Category Ultracompact Waterproof
Released 2009-04-17 2013-06-21
Physical type Ultracompact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 16MP
Anti aliasing 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 80 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 31-124mm (4.0x) 25-100mm (4.0x)
Max aperture f/2.8-5.9 f/3.6-4.7
Macro focus range 5cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.7 inches 2.7 inches
Display resolution 230k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display technology - TFT LCD display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 seconds 2 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 2.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 6.30 m 3.90 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync, Advanced Flash
External flash
AE bracketing
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) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video file format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic port
Headphone port
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 sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 129 grams (0.28 lbs) 152 grams (0.34 lbs)
Dimensions 97 x 55 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.9") 102 x 62 x 23mm (4.0" x 2.4" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life - 240 photographs
Type of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model - NP-BN
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Single Single
Retail cost $228 $266