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Panasonic FS15 vs Sony A850

Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
17
Overall
27
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS15 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A850 front
Portability
54
Imaging
68
Features
60
Overall
64

Panasonic FS15 vs Sony A850 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 A850
(Full Review)
  • 25MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 3200 (Raise to 6400)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 895g - 156 x 117 x 82mm
  • Announced April 2010
Photography Glossary

Panasonic FS15 vs Sony A850 Overview

In this write-up, we are matching up the Panasonic FS15 and Sony A850, former is a Ultracompact while the other is a Advanced DSLR by brands Panasonic and Sony. There exists a large gap between the image resolutions of the FS15 (12MP) and A850 (25MP) and the FS15 (1/2.3") and A850 (Full frame) come with different sensor dimensions.

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The FS15 was launched 15 months prior to the A850 making the cameras a generation away from one another. Both of these cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic FS15 being a Ultracompact camera and the Sony A850 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before diving straight into a in-depth comparison, below is a quick synopsis of how the FS15 matches up vs the A850 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FS15 over the Sony A850

 FS15 A850 

Reasons to pick Sony A850 over the Panasonic FS15

 A850 FS15 
AnnouncedApril 2010January 2009Newer by 15 months
Manual focus Very accurate focusing
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution922k230kCrisper display (+692k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic FS15 and Sony A850

 FS15 A850 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch display Lack of Touch display

Panasonic FS15 vs Sony A850 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is looking to travel with your camera frequently, you'll need to consider its weight and proportions. The Panasonic FS15 comes with physical dimensions of 97mm x 54mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.1" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 136 grams (0.30 lbs) and the Sony A850 has measurements of 156mm x 117mm x 82mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 3.2") with a weight of 895 grams (1.97 lbs).

Compare the Panasonic FS15 and Sony A850 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are employing at the time. Below is the front view physical size comparison of the FS15 versus the A850.

Panasonic FS15 vs Sony A850 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the FS15 and A850 is 95 and 54 respectively.

Panasonic FS15 vs Sony A850 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FS15 vs Sony A850 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it's tough to picture the difference between sensor dimensions just by checking technical specs. The image underneath may provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the FS15 and A850.

As you have seen, both the cameras offer different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The FS15 due to its tinier sensor is going to make shooting bokeh more challenging and the Sony A850 will resolve more detail utilizing its extra 13 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also help you crop images a little more aggressively. The more aged FS15 is going to be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Panasonic FS15 vs Sony A850 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FS15 vs Sony A850 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FS15 vs Sony A850 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FS15 Portrait photography factors
Sony A850 Portrait photography factors
21
lack of manual focus
no manual mode
cannot use external flash
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
72
focusing manually
resolution is high (25MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
exports RAW formats
doesn't have liveview
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FS15 Street photography factors
Sony A850 Street photography factors
57
has image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
66
image stabilization (Sensor based)
big sensor size (Full frame)
exports RAW formats
environment sealing
no articulating screen
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FS15 Sports photography features
Sony A850 Sports photography features
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
71
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is high (25MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
environment sealing
supports phase detect autofocus
doesn't have liveview
max frames per second very slow (3.0 frames per second)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FS15 Travel photography features
Sony A850 Travel photography features
51
flash built-in
does not have Timelapse mode
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
wide angle not the best (29mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
55
environment sealing
resolution is high (25MP)
does not have Timelapse mode
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic FS15
Landscape photography with Sony A850
28
has image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (29mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
small screen (2.7 inches)
no manual mode
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
does not have Timelapse mode
73
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
good sized screen (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is high (25 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
exports RAW formats
environment sealing
2 card slots
doesn't have liveview
does not have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FS15 Vlogging info
Sony A850 Vlogging info
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not the best (29mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is not selfie friendly
video quality not great (640 x 480 pixels)
does not have external microphone support
9
no video shooting
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Panasonic FS15 vs Sony A850 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FS15 and Sony A850
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS15Sony Alpha DSLR-A850
General Information
Brand Panasonic Sony
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS15 Sony Alpha DSLR-A850
Category Ultracompact Advanced DSLR
Launched 2009-01-16 2010-04-15
Physical type Ultracompact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Chip - Bionz
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Full frame
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 25MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4000 x 3000 6048 x 4032
Maximum native ISO 1600 3200
Maximum boosted ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 80 200
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens zoom range 29-145mm (5.0x) -
Highest aperture f/3.3-5.9 -
Macro focusing range 5cm -
Amount of lenses - 143
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.7" 3"
Resolution of display 230 thousand dots 922 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display tech - TFT Xtra Fine color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 98%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.74x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/8000s
Continuous shooting rate 2.0 frames per sec 3.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance - no built-in flash
Flash options Auto, Auto Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced Off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize - 1/250s
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 None
Video data format Motion JPEG -
Microphone support
Headphone support
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 gr (0.30 pounds) 895 gr (1.97 pounds)
Dimensions 97 x 54 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.1" x 0.9") 156 x 117 x 82mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 3.2")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 79
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.8
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.2
DXO Low light rating not tested 1415
Other
Battery life - 880 photographs
Battery style - Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal Compact Flash (Type I or II), UDMA, Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo
Card slots 1 2
Retail pricing $180 $0