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Panasonic FS12 vs Sony A37

Portability
95
Imaging
34
Features
14
Overall
26
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12 front
 
Sony SLT-A37 front
Portability
67
Imaging
57
Features
65
Overall
60

Panasonic FS12 vs Sony A37 Key Specs

Panasonic FS12
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • 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
  • Introduced April 2009
Sony A37
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.6" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 506g - 124 x 92 x 85mm
  • Introduced May 2012
  • Replaced the Sony A35
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Panasonic FS12 vs Sony A37 Overview

The following is a extended comparison of the Panasonic FS12 versus Sony A37, former is a Ultracompact while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by brands Panasonic and Sony. There is a large difference among the resolutions of the FS12 (12MP) and A37 (16MP) and the FS12 (1/2.3") and A37 (APS-C) possess totally different sensor size.

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The FS12 was launched 4 years earlier than the A37 which is a fairly serious difference as far as camera tech is concerned. The two cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic FS12 being a Ultracompact camera and the Sony A37 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before we go straight into a comprehensive comparison, below is a simple view of how the FS12 matches up versus the A37 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FS12 over the Sony A37

 FS12 A37 
Screen sizing2.7"2.6"Bigger screen (+0.1")

Reasons to pick Sony A37 over the Panasonic FS12

 A37 FS12 
IntroducedMay 2012April 2009Newer by 37 months
Focus manually Dial precise focusing
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen

Common features in the Panasonic FS12 and Sony A37

 FS12 A37 
Screen resolution230k230kSame screen resolution
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch friendly screen No Touch friendly screen

Panasonic FS12 vs Sony A37 Physical Comparison

If you are intending to travel with your camera, you will have to factor its weight and volume. The Panasonic FS12 provides exterior 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 A37 has sizing of 124mm x 92mm x 85mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 3.3") along with a weight of 506 grams (1.12 lbs).

Check out the Panasonic FS12 versus Sony A37 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you have at the time. Below is the front view measurement comparison of the FS12 compared to the A37.

Panasonic FS12 vs Sony A37 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the FS12 and A37 is 95 and 67 respectively.

Panasonic FS12 vs Sony A37 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FS12 vs Sony A37 Sensor Comparison

Often, its hard to see the contrast in sensor dimensions simply by going through specs. The image below will help offer you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the FS12 and A37.

As you can plainly see, both cameras enjoy different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The FS12 featuring a smaller sensor will make shooting bokeh harder and the Sony A37 will produce more detail utilizing its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop photographs far more aggressively. The more aged FS12 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor innovation.

Panasonic FS12 vs Sony A37 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FS12 vs Sony A37 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FS12 vs Sony A37 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FS12 Portrait photography details
Sony A37 Portrait photography details
20
manual focus not available
manual mode not available
external flash not possible
MP count low (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
74
you can focus manually
good megapixels (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
has face detection focus
exports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FS12 Street photography advice
Sony A37 Street photography advice
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
77
screen tilts
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW files
great high ISO (25,600)
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FS12 as a Sports photography camera
Sony A37 as a Sports photography camera
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
MP count low (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
61
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
has phase detect auto focus
continuous shooting slow (6.0 frames/s)
terrible battery power (500 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FS12 as a Travel photography camera
Sony A37 as a Travel photography camera
51
built-in flash
no Time Lapse recording
MP count low (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not good (31mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
54
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
doesn't have Timelapse mode
terrible battery power (500 per charge)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic FS12
Landscape photography with Sony A37
27
has image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (31mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is small (2.7 inch)
manual mode not available
MP count low (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
no Time Lapse recording
64
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
great high ISO (25,600)
exports RAW files
tiny screen (2.6 inches)
terrible battery power (500 shots)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FS12 as a Vlogging camera
Sony A37 as a Vlogging camera
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not good (31mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low video resolution (640 x 480 resolution)
no mic support
35
image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detection focus
high video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
has external microphone support
display isn't selfie friendly
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Panasonic FS12 vs Sony A37 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FS12 and Sony A37
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12Sony SLT-A37
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Sony
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12 Sony SLT-A37
Category Ultracompact Entry-Level DSLR
Introduced 2009-04-17 2012-05-16
Physical type Ultracompact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4000 x 3000 4912 x 3264
Highest native ISO 1600 25600
Highest boosted ISO 6400 -
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points - 15
Cross focus points - 3
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens focal range 31-124mm (4.0x) -
Maximal aperture f/2.8-5.9 -
Macro focus distance 5cm -
Amount of lenses - 143
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1.5
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Tilting
Display size 2.7 inch 2.6 inch
Resolution of display 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,440 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.73x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 2.0fps 6.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 6.30 m 12.00 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize - 1/160 seconds
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) 1920 x 1080 (60, 29.97 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 640 x 424 (29.97 fps)
Highest video resolution 640x480 1920x1080
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Microphone support
Headphone support
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 sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 129 grams (0.28 lb) 506 grams (1.12 lb)
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 All around score not tested 75
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.3
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 12.9
DXO Low light score not tested 799
Other
Battery life - 500 photos
Battery style - Battery Pack
Battery model - NP-FW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec 3 or 5 images)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Single Single
Cost at launch $228 $522