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Panasonic FS15 vs Sony QX1

Portability
95
Imaging
34
Features
17
Overall
27
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS15 front
 
Sony Alpha QX1 front
Portability
90
Imaging
63
Features
48
Overall
57

Panasonic FS15 vs Sony QX1 Key Specs

Panasonic FS15
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600 (Expand to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 29-145mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 136g - 97 x 54 x 22mm
  • Announced January 2009
Sony QX1
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - APS-C Sensor
  • " Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 16000
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 216g - 74 x 70 x 53mm
  • Launched September 2014
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Panasonic FS15 vs Sony QX1 Overview

Here is a complete analysis of the Panasonic FS15 vs Sony QX1, former being a Ultracompact while the latter is a Lens-style by brands Panasonic and Sony. There exists a noticeable gap among the resolutions of the FS15 (12MP) and QX1 (20MP) and the FS15 (1/2.3") and QX1 (APS-C) enjoy different sensor dimensions.

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The FS15 was introduced 6 years prior to the QX1 and that is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of the cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic FS15 being a Ultracompact camera and the Sony QX1 being a Lens-style camera.

Before getting through a full comparison, below is a concise view of how the FS15 scores versus the QX1 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FS15 over the Sony QX1

 FS15 QX1 
Screen dimension2.7""Bigger screen (+2.7")
Screen resolution230k0kSharper screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony QX1 over the Panasonic FS15

 QX1 FS15 
LaunchedSeptember 2014January 2009Fresher by 68 months
Focus manually More precise focus
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Panasonic FS15 and Sony QX1

 FS15 QX1 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen

Panasonic FS15 vs Sony QX1 Physical Comparison

If you're looking to carry your camera frequently, you will need to take into account its weight and proportions. The Panasonic FS15 has outer dimensions of 97mm x 54mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.1" x 0.9") and a weight of 136 grams (0.30 lbs) and the Sony QX1 has measurements of 74mm x 70mm x 53mm (2.9" x 2.8" x 2.1") accompanied by a weight of 216 grams (0.48 lbs).

See the Panasonic FS15 vs Sony QX1 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you have attached during that time. The following is the front view dimensions comparison of the FS15 compared to the QX1.

Panasonic FS15 vs Sony QX1 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the FS15 and QX1 is 95 and 90 respectively.

Panasonic FS15 vs Sony QX1 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FS15 vs Sony QX1 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is hard to visualize the contrast in sensor sizing just by looking through technical specs. The visual here should provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the FS15 and QX1.

As you have seen, each of the cameras have got different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The FS15 with its smaller sensor is going to make getting shallower depth of field more difficult and the Sony QX1 will render more detail using its extra 8MP. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop shots much more aggressively. The older FS15 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Panasonic FS15 vs Sony QX1 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FS15 vs Sony QX1 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FS15 vs Sony QX1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FS15 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony QX1 as a Portrait photography camera
20
no manual focus
no manual exposure
external flash not possible
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
66
you can focus manually
MP count good (20 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
has face detect focusing
delivers RAW formats
manual exposure not available
can't use external flash
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FS15 Street photography advice
Sony QX1 Street photography advice
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
69
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
includes touch to focus
fixed screen
does not have image stabilization
heavier than competition in class (216 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FS15 Sports photography features
Sony QX1 Sports photography features
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
slow fps (2.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
56
MP count good (20MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
good battery life (440 per charge)
painfully slow continuous shooting (4.0 fps)
does not have image stabilization
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FS15 Travel photography factors
Sony QX1 Travel photography factors
51
has built in flash
no Time Lapse mode
sensor resolution low (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not great (29mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
71
good battery life (440 shots)
includes touch to focus
MP count good (20MP)
built-in flash
doesn't have Time Lapse function
heavier than competition in class (216 grams)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic FS15
Landscape photography with Sony QX1
27
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (29mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
no manual exposure
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
no Time Lapse mode
64
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Sony E mount)
MP count good (20 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
good battery life (440 shots)
screen is small ( inches)
manual exposure not available
does not have image stabilization
doesn't have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FS15 Vlogging info
Sony QX1 Vlogging info
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not great (29mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low res video (640 x 480 pixels)
no mic jack
32
touchscreen enabled
has face detect focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
display is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
doesn't have mic socket
heavier than competition in class (216g)
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Panasonic FS15 vs Sony QX1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FS15 and Sony QX1
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS15Sony Alpha QX1
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Sony
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS15 Sony Alpha QX1
Type Ultracompact Lens-style
Announced 2009-01-16 2014-09-03
Physical type Ultracompact Lens-style
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Bionz X
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.2 x 15.4mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 357.3mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 20 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2 4:3 and 3:2
Peak resolution 4000 x 3000 5456 x 3632
Highest native ISO 1600 16000
Highest enhanced ISO 6400 -
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 11 25
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Sony E
Lens zoom range 29-145mm (5.0x) -
Maximum aperture f/3.3-5.9 -
Macro focusing distance 5cm -
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1.6
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.7 inch -
Resolution of display 230k dots 0k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 2.0fps 4.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance - 4.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, Auto Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced Off Off, auto, fill, slow sync, rear sync
External flash
AEB
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) 1920 x 1080 (30p)
Highest video resolution 640x480 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4
Mic port
Headphone port
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 136 gr (0.30 pounds) 216 gr (0.48 pounds)
Dimensions 97 x 54 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.1" x 0.9") 74 x 70 x 53mm (2.9" x 2.8" x 2.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life - 440 shots
Battery type - Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-FW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2, 10 secs)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal microSD, microSDHC, microSDXC, Memory Stick Micro
Card slots Single Single
Retail cost $180 $500