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Panasonic FS15 vs Sony A230

Portability
95
Imaging
34
Features
17
Overall
27
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS15 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A230 front
Portability
69
Imaging
50
Features
40
Overall
46

Panasonic FS15 vs Sony A230 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
  • Launched January 2009
Sony A230
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 490g - 128 x 97 x 68mm
  • Released May 2009
  • Replaced the Sony A200
  • Refreshed by Sony A290
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Panasonic FS15 vs Sony A230 Overview

Its time to look a little more in depth at the Panasonic FS15 and Sony A230, one is a Ultracompact and the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by brands Panasonic and Sony. The image resolution of the FS15 (12MP) and the A230 (10MP) is fairly comparable but the FS15 (1/2.3") and A230 (APS-C) feature totally different sensor size.

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The FS15 was launched 4 months earlier than the A230 and they are of a similar generation. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic FS15 being a Ultracompact camera and the Sony A230 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before diving in to a comprehensive comparison, below is a quick summation of how the FS15 grades vs the A230 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FS15 over the Sony A230

 FS15 A230 

Reasons to pick Sony A230 over the Panasonic FS15

 A230 FS15 
Focus manually Very precise focusing

Common features in the Panasonic FS15 and Sony A230

 FS15 A230 
ReleasedJanuary 2009May 2009Same generation
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing2.7"2.7"Equivalent display size
Display resolution230k230kEqual display resolution
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch friendly display Absent Touch friendly display

Panasonic FS15 vs Sony A230 Physical Comparison

For those who are aiming to travel with your camera regularly, you are going to need to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic FS15 features external measurements of 97mm x 54mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.1" x 0.9") along with a weight of 136 grams (0.30 lbs) while the Sony A230 has dimensions of 128mm x 97mm x 68mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.7") along with a weight of 490 grams (1.08 lbs).

Compare the Panasonic FS15 and Sony A230 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you are working with at that moment. The following is the front view over all size comparison of the FS15 vs the A230.

Panasonic FS15 vs Sony A230 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the FS15 and A230 is 95 and 69 respectively.

Panasonic FS15 vs Sony A230 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FS15 vs Sony A230 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it's hard to envision the gap in sensor dimensions merely by seeing specs. The picture underneath may offer you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the FS15 and A230.

As you can plainly see, both the cameras enjoy different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The FS15 because of its smaller sensor will make achieving shallower depth of field trickier and the Panasonic FS15 will provide extra detail utilizing its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will allow you to crop images far more aggressively.

Panasonic FS15 vs Sony A230 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FS15 vs Sony A230 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FS15 vs Sony A230 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FS15 Portrait photography details
Sony A230 Portrait photography details
20
manual focus not available
no manual exposure
no external flash support
megapixel count low (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
54
manual focus
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
no liveview feature
MP count low (10 megapixels)
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic FS15
Street photography with Sony A230
56
image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
67
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
no articulating screen
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FS15 as a Sports photography camera
Sony A230 as a Sports photography camera
25
image stabilization (Optical)
slow fps (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
46
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect AF
no liveview feature
slow frames per second (3.0 fps)
MP count low (10MP)
not so great battery life (230 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FS15 Travel photography factors
Sony A230 Travel photography factors
51
built-in flash
does not have Timelapse mode
megapixel count low (12MP)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
wide angle not fantastic (29mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
45
flash built-in
missing Time Lapse recording
not so great battery life (230 CIPA)
MP count low (10 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FS15 Landscape photography info
Sony A230 Landscape photography info
27
image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (29mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
small screen (2.7 inch)
no manual exposure
megapixel count low (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
does not have Timelapse mode
51
manual focus
switch lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
small screen (2.7 inch)
no liveview feature
MP count low (10MP)
not so great battery life (230 CIPA)
missing Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FS15 Vlogging highlights
Sony A230 Vlogging highlights
25
image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not fantastic (29mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
low quality video (640 x 480 pixels)
does not have external microphone port
9
no video
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Panasonic FS15 vs Sony A230 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FS15 and Sony A230
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS15Sony Alpha DSLR-A230
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Sony
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS15 Sony Alpha DSLR-A230
Type Ultracompact Entry-Level DSLR
Launched 2009-01-16 2009-05-18
Physical type Ultracompact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor - Bionz
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 10MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4000 x 3000 3872 x 2592
Maximum native ISO 1600 3200
Maximum enhanced ISO 6400 -
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens zoom range 29-145mm (5.0x) -
Maximum aperture f/3.3-5.9 -
Macro focusing distance 5cm -
Available lenses - 143
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.7 inch 2.7 inch
Display resolution 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.55x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 2.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance - 10.00 m
Flash settings Auto, Auto Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced Off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize - 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) -
Maximum video resolution 640x480 None
Video file format Motion JPEG -
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 136 grams (0.30 lb) 490 grams (1.08 lb)
Dimensions 97 x 54 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.1" x 0.9") 128 x 97 x 68mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 63
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 22.3
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 11.4
DXO Low light rating not tested 531
Other
Battery life - 230 photographs
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-FH50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo
Card slots One One
Cost at release $180 $569