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Panasonic FS15 vs Sony A9

Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
17
Overall
27
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS15 front
 
Sony Alpha A9 front
Portability
65
Imaging
74
Features
93
Overall
81

Panasonic FS15 vs Sony A9 Key Specs

Panasonic FS15
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600 (Boost to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 29-145mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 136g - 97 x 54 x 22mm
  • Revealed January 2009
Sony A9
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Raise to 204800)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 673g - 127 x 96 x 63mm
  • Revealed April 2017
  • Replacement is Sony A9 II
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Panasonic FS15 vs Sony A9 Overview

On this page, we will be reviewing the Panasonic FS15 versus Sony A9, one is a Ultracompact and the latter is a Pro Mirrorless by companies Panasonic and Sony. There is a huge difference among the image resolutions of the FS15 (12MP) and A9 (24MP) and the FS15 (1/2.3") and A9 (Full frame) provide totally different sensor sizes.

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The FS15 was unveiled 9 years prior to the A9 which is a fairly significant gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both the cameras have different body design with the Panasonic FS15 being a Ultracompact camera and the Sony A9 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving right into a in-depth comparison, here is a brief view of how the FS15 matches up versus the A9 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic FS15 over the Sony A9

 FS15 A9 

Reasons to pick Sony A9 over the Panasonic FS15

 A9 FS15 
RevealedApril 2017January 2009Newer by 100 months
Manual focus More accurate focus
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution1440k230kSharper screen (+1210k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Panasonic FS15 and Sony A9

 FS15 A9 
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen

Panasonic FS15 vs Sony A9 Physical Comparison

When you are going to travel with your camera regularly, you'll have to consider its weight and volume. The Panasonic FS15 provides outside measurements of 97mm x 54mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.1" x 0.9") having a weight of 136 grams (0.30 lbs) and the Sony A9 has sizing of 127mm x 96mm x 63mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.5") and a weight of 673 grams (1.48 lbs).

See the Panasonic FS15 versus Sony A9 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you are using at that time. Underneath is a front view sizing comparison of the FS15 and the A9.

Panasonic FS15 vs Sony A9 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the FS15 and A9 is 95 and 65 respectively.

Panasonic FS15 vs Sony A9 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FS15 vs Sony A9 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is very tough to see the contrast in sensor dimensions just by going through specifications. The image below will provide you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the FS15 and A9.

To sum up, the 2 cameras have different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The FS15 with its smaller sensor will make achieving shallower depth of field more difficult and the Sony A9 will show more detail having an extra 12MP. Higher resolution will help you crop pictures a bit more aggressively. The more aged FS15 will be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

Panasonic FS15 vs Sony A9 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FS15 vs Sony A9 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FS15 vs Sony A9 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FS15 Portrait photography info
Sony A9 Portrait photography info
21
lack of manual focus
no manual exposure
no external flash support
low megapixels (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
84
has manual focus
good MP (24MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
comes with face detection focus
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FS15 as a Street photography camera
Sony A9 as a Street photography camera
57
image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
79
has a tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
big sensor size (Full frame)
exports RAW formats
includes touch focus
environment sealing
great high ISO (51,200)
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FS15 Sports photography details
Sony A9 Sports photography details
25
image stabilization (Optical)
max fps low (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
low megapixels (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
87
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
quiet shooting (1/32,000 seconds)
fast shooting (20.0 frames/s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good MP (24MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
comes with tracking autofocus
environment sealing
better than average battery power (650 CIPA)
has phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FS15 Travel photography info
Sony A9 Travel photography info
51
built-in flash
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
wide angle not the best (29mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
74
better than average battery power (650 CIPA)
environment sealing
connects via bluetooth
includes touch focus
good MP (24MP)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FS15 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony A9 as a Landscape photography camera
28
image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (29mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
no manual exposure
low megapixels (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
86
has manual focus
switch lenses (Sony E mount)
pretty good screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good MP (24 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
great high ISO (51,200)
exports RAW formats
environment sealing
better than average battery power (650 CIPA)
2 card slots
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FS15 Vlogging information
Sony A9 Vlogging information
25
image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not the best (29mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
display is not selfie friendly
low res video (640 x 480 pxls)
doesn't have external mic port
37
has touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
comes with face detection focus
video resolution high (3840 x 2160 pxls)
has external mic support
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
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Panasonic FS15 vs Sony A9 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FS15 and Sony A9
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS15Sony Alpha A9
General Information
Company Panasonic Sony
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS15 Sony Alpha A9
Type Ultracompact Pro Mirrorless
Revealed 2009-01-16 2017-04-19
Physical type Ultracompact SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip - BIONZ X
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Full frame
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 35.6 x 23.8mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 847.3mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 24 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4000 x 3000 6000 x 4000
Maximum native ISO 1600 51200
Maximum boosted ISO 6400 204800
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW format
Lowest boosted ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 11 693
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Sony E
Lens zoom range 29-145mm (5.0x) -
Maximal aperture f/3.3-5.9 -
Macro focusing range 5cm -
Amount of lenses - 121
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display size 2.7 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 230k dots 1,440k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 3,686k dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.78x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/8000 secs
Highest quiet shutter speed - 1/32000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 2.0fps 20.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance - no built-in flash
Flash settings Auto, Auto Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced Off Flash off, Autoflash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync., Red-eye reduction, Wireless, Hi-speed sync
Hot shoe
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) -
Maximum video resolution 640x480 3840x2160
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Mic support
Headphone support
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
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 136g (0.30 lb) 673g (1.48 lb)
Physical dimensions 97 x 54 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.1" x 0.9") 127 x 96 x 63mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.5")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 92
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 24.9
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 13.3
DXO Low light rating not tested 3517
Other
Battery life - 650 photographs
Battery style - Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-FZ100
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2, 5, 10 secs + continuous)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II compatible)
Card slots 1 Two
Retail cost $180 $4,498