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Panasonic FS12 vs Sony A33

Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
14
Overall
26
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12 front
 
Sony SLT-A33 front
Portability
67
Imaging
54
Features
80
Overall
64

Panasonic FS12 vs Sony A33 Key Specs

Panasonic FS12
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600 (Push 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 A33
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Raise to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 500g - 124 x 92 x 85mm
  • Released August 2010
  • Renewed by Sony A35
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Panasonic FS12 vs Sony A33 Overview

Here, we are evaluating the Panasonic FS12 versus Sony A33, former is a Ultracompact while the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by brands Panasonic and Sony. The sensor resolution of the FS12 (12MP) and the A33 (14MP) is very comparable but the FS12 (1/2.3") and A33 (APS-C) posses totally different sensor sizing.

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The FS12 was released 16 months before the A33 making them a generation away from each other. Both the cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic FS12 being a Ultracompact camera and the Sony A33 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before getting straight to a comprehensive comparison, here is a simple highlight of how the FS12 grades against the A33 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic FS12 over the Sony A33

 FS12 A33 

Reasons to pick Sony A33 over the Panasonic FS12

 A33 FS12 
ReleasedAugust 2010April 2009Newer by 16 months
Focus manually Dial accurate focusing
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display size3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution921k230kCrisper display (+691k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Common features in the Panasonic FS12 and Sony A33

 FS12 A33 
Touch display Missing Touch display

Panasonic FS12 vs Sony A33 Physical Comparison

When you are looking to travel with your camera regularly, you have to think about its weight and proportions. The Panasonic FS12 enjoys exterior measurements of 97mm x 55mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.9") and a weight of 129 grams (0.28 lbs) while the Sony A33 has measurements of 124mm x 92mm x 85mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 3.3") along with a weight of 500 grams (1.10 lbs).

Analyze the Panasonic FS12 versus Sony A33 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are utilizing at the time. The following is a front view over all size comparison of the FS12 versus the A33.

Panasonic FS12 vs Sony A33 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the FS12 and A33 is 95 and 67 respectively.

Panasonic FS12 vs Sony A33 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FS12 vs Sony A33 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it can be tough to visualise the gap in sensor dimensions just by checking out technical specs. The picture here will provide you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the FS12 and A33.

As you have seen, each of these cameras feature different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The FS12 because of its smaller sensor will make shooting bokeh harder and the Sony A33 will produce more detail as a result of its extra 2MP. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop photos way more aggressively. The more aged FS12 will be behind in sensor technology.

Panasonic FS12 vs Sony A33 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FS12 vs Sony A33 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FS12 vs Sony A33 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic FS12
Portrait photography with Sony A33
21
lack of manual focus
manual mode not possible
cannot use external flash
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
72
manual focus
megapixel count decent (14MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
provides face detect focusing
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic FS12
Street photography with Sony A33
57
image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
76
screen articulates fully
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FS12 Sports photography highlights
Sony A33 Sports photography highlights
25
image stabilization (Optical)
low frames per second (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
67
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (14MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
comes with phase detect AF
low battery pack (340 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic FS12
Travel photography with Sony A33
51
flash built-in
does not have Time Lapse function
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not great (31mm)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
61
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
screen is selfie friendly
no Timelapse mode
low battery pack (340 CIPA)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic FS12
Landscape photography with Sony A33
28
image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (31mm)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
manual mode not possible
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
does not have Time Lapse function
67
manual focus
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen is a decent size (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW files
low battery pack (340 shots)
no Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic FS12
Vlogging with Sony A33
25
image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not great (31mm)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
display isn't selfie friendly
video res low (640 x 480 pxls)
does not have mic support
77
screen is selfie friendly
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detect focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does have microphone port
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Panasonic FS12 vs Sony A33 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FS12 and Sony A33
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12Sony SLT-A33
General Information
Company Panasonic Sony
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12 Sony SLT-A33
Category Ultracompact Entry-Level DSLR
Launched 2009-04-17 2010-08-24
Body design Ultracompact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Bionz
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4000 x 3000 4592 x 3056
Maximum native ISO 1600 12800
Maximum enhanced ISO 6400 25600
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points - 15
Cross focus points - 3
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens focal range 31-124mm (4.0x) -
Max aperture f/2.8-5.9 -
Macro focus range 5cm -
Total lenses - 143
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Screen diagonal 2.7 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 230 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,150 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.73x
Features
Min shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 2.0fps 7.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 6.30 m 10.00 m (@ ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync - 1/160 secs
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, 29.97 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 640 x 424 (29.97 fps)
Maximum video resolution 640x480 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 129g (0.28 lb) 500g (1.10 lb)
Physical dimensions 97 x 55 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.9") 124 x 92 x 85mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 70
DXO Color Depth score not tested 22.8
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 12.6
DXO Low light score not tested 591
Other
Battery life - 340 pictures
Battery form - Battery Pack
Battery model - NP-FW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots 1 1
Price at release $228 $230