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Panasonic FS12 vs Sony ZV-1

Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
14
Overall
26
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12 front
 
Sony ZV-1 front
Portability
88
Imaging
55
Features
86
Overall
67

Panasonic FS12 vs Sony ZV-1 Key Specs

Panasonic FS12
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • 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
  • Introduced April 2009
Sony ZV-1
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 125 - 12800 (Expand to 25600)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 24-70mm (F1.8-2.8) lens
  • 294g - 105 x 60 x 44mm
  • Released May 2020
  • Successor is Sony ZV-1 II
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Panasonic FS12 vs Sony ZV-1 Overview

Below is a comprehensive comparison of the Panasonic FS12 and Sony ZV-1, one being a Ultracompact and the other is a Large Sensor Compact by brands Panasonic and Sony. There exists a significant gap between the resolutions of the FS12 (12MP) and ZV-1 (20MP) and the FS12 (1/2.3") and ZV-1 (1") posses different sensor size.

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The FS12 was released 12 years before the ZV-1 and that is quite a sizable gap as far as technology is concerned. Both of these cameras have different body design with the Panasonic FS12 being a Ultracompact camera and the Sony ZV-1 being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before getting right into a more detailed comparison, here is a brief summary of how the FS12 grades against the ZV-1 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FS12 over the Sony ZV-1

 FS12 ZV-1 

Reasons to pick Sony ZV-1 over the Panasonic FS12

 ZV-1 FS12 
ReleasedMay 2020April 2009More recent by 135 months
Focus manually More exact focusing
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution922k230kCrisper display (+692k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch display Easily navigate

Common features in the Panasonic FS12 and Sony ZV-1

 FS12 ZV-1 

Panasonic FS12 vs Sony ZV-1 Physical Comparison

When you are intending to lug around your camera often, you'll have to factor its weight and proportions. The Panasonic FS12 has got outer dimensions of 97mm x 55mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.9") with a weight of 129 grams (0.28 lbs) whilst the Sony ZV-1 has measurements of 105mm x 60mm x 44mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.7") having a weight of 294 grams (0.65 lbs).

Compare the Panasonic FS12 and Sony ZV-1 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are utilising during that time. Following is a front view overall size comparison of the FS12 versus the ZV-1.

Panasonic FS12 vs Sony ZV-1 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the FS12 and ZV-1 is 95 and 88 respectively.

Panasonic FS12 vs Sony ZV-1 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FS12 vs Sony ZV-1 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it can be difficult to imagine the gap between sensor measurements purely by looking at technical specs. The photograph below should provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the FS12 and ZV-1.

As you have seen, each of these cameras have different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The FS12 due to its tinier sensor is going to make getting shallower depth of field harder and the Sony ZV-1 will resolve more detail as a result of its extra 8MP. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop photos a bit more aggressively. The older FS12 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor technology.

Panasonic FS12 vs Sony ZV-1 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FS12 vs Sony ZV-1 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FS12 vs Sony ZV-1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FS12 Portrait photography information
Sony ZV-1 Portrait photography information
21
lack of manual focus
no manual exposure
no external flash support
low resolution sensor (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
73
manual focus
decent sensor resolution (20 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (1")
comes with face detection focus
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FS12 as a Street photography camera
Sony ZV-1 as a Street photography camera
57
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
85
fully articulated screen
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor size is decent (1")
delivers RAW files
offers focus via touch
lighter than competition (294 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FS12 Sports photography advice
Sony ZV-1 Sports photography advice
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
low resolution sensor (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
71
silent shooting (1/32,000 seconds)
high frames per second (24.0 fps)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (20 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (1")
comes with tracking autofocus
sensor has phase detect auto focus
bad battery life (260 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FS12 as a Travel photography camera
Sony ZV-1 as a Travel photography camera
51
has built in flash
no Timelapse recording
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
wide angle not fantastic (31mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
81
lighter than competition (294 grams)
connects via bluetooth
offers focus via touch
decent sensor resolution (20MP)
selfie friendly display
pretty wide (24mm)
good max aperture (f1.8)
bad battery life (260 CIPA)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FS12 Landscape photography factors
Sony ZV-1 Landscape photography factors
28
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (31mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
no manual exposure
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
no Timelapse recording
70
manual focus
pretty wide (24mm)
good max aperture (f1.8)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (20MP)
sensor size is decent (1")
delivers RAW files
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
bad battery life (260 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FS12 Vlogging advice
Sony ZV-1 Vlogging advice
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not fantastic (31mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
screen is not selfie friendly
low res video (640 x 480 pixels)
no external microphone port
86
pretty wide (24mm)
good max aperture (f1.8)
selfie friendly display
touchscreen
has image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detection focus
high res video (3840 x 2160 pixels)
includes external mic jack
lighter than competition (294 grams)
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Panasonic FS12 vs Sony ZV-1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FS12 and Sony ZV-1
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12Sony ZV-1
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Sony
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12 Sony ZV-1
Category Ultracompact Large Sensor Compact
Introduced 2009-04-17 2020-05-27
Body design Ultracompact Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by - Bionz X
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 13.2 x 8.8mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 116.2mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 20 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4000 x 3000 5472 x 3648
Highest native ISO 1600 12800
Highest enhanced ISO 6400 25600
Minimum native ISO 80 125
RAW support
Minimum enhanced ISO - 80
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points - 315
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 31-124mm (4.0x) 24-70mm (2.9x)
Maximal aperture f/2.8-5.9 f/1.8-2.8
Macro focus range 5cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.9 2.7
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Screen sizing 2.7 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 230k dot 922k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/2000 secs
Fastest silent shutter speed - 1/32000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 2.0 frames per sec 24.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 6.30 m no built-in flash
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, Flash On, Slow Synchro, Rear Sync, Flash Off
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 60 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p / 60 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 24p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 24p / 60 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 120p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 120p / 60 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 100p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 100p / 60 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 50 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 28 Mbps, MP4, H.264, AAC1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 28 Mbps, AVCHD, MTS, H.264, Dolby Digital1920 x 1080 @ 60i / 24 Mbps, AVCHD, MTS, H.264, Dolby Digital1920 x 1080 @ 60i / 17 Mbps, AVCHD, MTS, H.264, Dolby Digital1920 x 1080 @ 50p / 50 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 50p / 28 Mbps, MP4, H.264, AAC1920 x 1080
Highest video resolution 640x480 3840x2160
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
Mic 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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 129 gr (0.28 pounds) 294 gr (0.65 pounds)
Physical dimensions 97 x 55 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.9") 105 x 60 x 44mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 - 260 shots
Form of battery - Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC card, Internal SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots Single Single
Cost at release $228 $750