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Panasonic FS12 vs Sony W730

Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
14
Overall
26
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W730 front
Portability
96
Imaging
40
Features
33
Overall
37

Panasonic FS12 vs Sony W730 Key Specs

Panasonic FS12
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • 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 W730
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-224mm (F3.3-6.3) lens
  • 122g - 93 x 52 x 22mm
  • Announced January 2013
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Panasonic FS12 vs Sony W730 Overview

The following is a in-depth review of the Panasonic FS12 and Sony W730, one is a Ultracompact and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Panasonic and Sony. There is a crucial difference among the resolutions of the FS12 (12MP) and W730 (16MP) but both cameras posses the same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The FS12 was announced 4 years earlier than the W730 which is a fairly serious gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both cameras have different body design with the Panasonic FS12 being a Ultracompact camera and the Sony W730 being a Compact camera.

Before going into a complete comparison, here is a quick summation of how the FS12 matches up versus the W730 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FS12 over the Sony W730

 FS12 W730 

Reasons to pick Sony W730 over the Panasonic FS12

 W730 FS12 
AnnouncedJanuary 2013April 2009Newer by 45 months
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Panasonic FS12 and Sony W730

 FS12 W730 
Manually focus Lack of manual focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions2.7"2.7"Equal display sizing
Display resolution230k230kExact same display resolution
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen

Panasonic FS12 vs Sony W730 Physical Comparison

When you are planning to travel with your camera often, you will want to consider its weight and proportions. The Panasonic FS12 offers outer measurements of 97mm x 55mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.9") having a weight of 129 grams (0.28 lbs) and the Sony W730 has measurements of 93mm x 52mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.0" x 0.9") and a weight of 122 grams (0.27 lbs).

Check out the Panasonic FS12 and Sony W730 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you select at that moment. The following is a front view size comparison of the FS12 versus the W730.

Panasonic FS12 vs Sony W730 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the FS12 and W730 is 95 and 96 respectively.

Panasonic FS12 vs Sony W730 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FS12 vs Sony W730 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is hard to envision the gap in sensor dimensions simply by researching a spec sheet. The image underneath might provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the FS12 and W730.

As you can see, the 2 cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but not the same resolution. You should anticipate the Sony W730 to render more detail with its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop photos more aggressively. The more aged FS12 will be behind in sensor innovation.

Panasonic FS12 vs Sony W730 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FS12 vs Sony W730 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FS12 vs Sony W730 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FS12 Portrait photography features
Sony W730 Portrait photography features
21
lack of manual focus
manual mode not possible
can't use external flash
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
35
MP count good (16MP)
has face detection autofocus
manual focus not available
no manual control
external flash not possible
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic FS12
Street photography with Sony W730
57
has image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
67
has image stabilization (Optical)
comes with touch to focus
lighter than competitors in class (122g)
screen does not articulate
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FS12 Sports photography features
Sony W730 Sports photography features
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
max fps very slow (2.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
low megapixels (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
41
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
has tracking autofocus
slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FS12 Travel photography details
Sony W730 Travel photography details
51
flash built-in
no Time Lapse recording
low megapixels (12MP)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
wide angle not fantastic (31mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
71
lighter than competitors in class (122g)
comes with touch to focus
MP count good (16MP)
has built in flash
decently wide (25mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
does not offer selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FS12 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony W730 as a Landscape photography camera
28
has image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (31mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
small screen (2.7 inch)
manual mode not possible
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
no Time Lapse recording
39
decently wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
no manual control
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FS12 Vlogging features
Sony W730 Vlogging features
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not fantastic (31mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
video res low (640 x 480 pxls)
no external mic support
34
decently wide (25mm)
screen is touchscreen
has image stabilization (Optical)
has face detection autofocus
lighter than competitors in class (122 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
does not offer selfie friendly display
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have external mic socket
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Panasonic FS12 vs Sony W730 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FS12 and Sony W730
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W730
General Information
Company Panasonic Sony
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W730
Type Ultracompact Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2009-04-17 2013-01-08
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 12 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4000 x 3000 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 1600 3200
Highest enhanced ISO 6400 -
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 31-124mm (4.0x) 25-224mm (9.0x)
Maximum aperture f/2.8-5.9 f/3.3-6.3
Macro focusing range 5cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.7 inches 2.7 inches
Display resolution 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display technology - TFT LCD display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 60 seconds 2 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 2.0 frames per second 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 6.30 m 2.80 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync, Advanced Flash
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported 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)
Highest video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 129 gr (0.28 lb) 122 gr (0.27 lb)
Physical dimensions 97 x 55 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.9") 93 x 52 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.0" x 0.9")
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 - 240 images
Battery type - Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-BN
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Card slots 1 1
Retail cost $228 $138