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Panasonic FS15 vs Sony H20

Portability
95
Imaging
34
Features
17
Overall
27
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS15 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H20 front
Portability
87
Imaging
33
Features
29
Overall
31

Panasonic FS15 vs Sony H20 Key Specs

Panasonic FS15
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • 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
  • Released January 2009
Sony H20
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 38-380mm (F3.5-4.4) lens
  • 250g - 107 x 69 x 47mm
  • Announced May 2009
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Panasonic FS15 vs Sony H20 Overview

Here, we will be contrasting the Panasonic FS15 vs Sony H20, one being a Ultracompact and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by manufacturers Panasonic and Sony. The sensor resolution of the FS15 (12MP) and the H20 (10MP) is pretty similar and both cameras offer the identical sensor size (1/2.3").

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The FS15 was announced 3 months prior to the H20 and they are both of a similar generation. Both of these cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic FS15 being a Ultracompact camera and the Sony H20 being a Compact camera.

Before getting into a thorough comparison, here is a brief synopsis of how the FS15 grades vs the H20 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FS15 over the Sony H20

 FS15 H20 

Reasons to pick Sony H20 over the Panasonic FS15

 H20 FS15 
Manually focus Dial exact focus
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")

Common features in the Panasonic FS15 and Sony H20

 FS15 H20 
AnnouncedJanuary 2009May 2009Similar generation
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kEqual screen resolution
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch screen Absent Touch screen

Panasonic FS15 vs Sony H20 Physical Comparison

If you're aiming to lug around your camera regularly, you'll need to think about its weight and proportions. The Panasonic FS15 features outside 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 H20 has measurements of 107mm x 69mm x 47mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.9") having a weight of 250 grams (0.55 lbs).

See the Panasonic FS15 vs Sony H20 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you select during that time. Following is a front view over all size comparison of the FS15 vs the H20.

Panasonic FS15 vs Sony H20 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the FS15 and H20 is 95 and 87 respectively.

Panasonic FS15 vs Sony H20 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FS15 vs Sony H20 Sensor Comparison

Often, it can be difficult to picture the difference between sensor measurements just by reviewing technical specs. The graphic below should provide you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the FS15 and H20.

As you have seen, both cameras come with the identical sensor size albeit different resolution. You should expect the Panasonic FS15 to offer greater detail with its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop photographs a good deal more aggressively.

Panasonic FS15 vs Sony H20 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FS15 vs Sony H20 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FS15 vs Sony H20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FS15 Portrait photography factors
Sony H20 Portrait photography factors
20
manual focus not available
no manual exposure
no external flash support
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
27
has manual focus
external flash not possible
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Panasonic FS15 Street photography details
Sony H20 Street photography details
56
image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
51
image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
more heavy than competition (250g)
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FS15 as a Sports photography camera
Sony H20 as a Sports photography camera
25
image stabilization (Optical)
slow fps (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
26
image stabilization (Optical)
slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames/s)
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FS15 Travel photography features
Sony H20 Travel photography features
51
flash built-in
no Timelapse recording
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not great (29mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
51
flash built-in
great reach (380mm)
no Timelapse recording
more heavy than competition (250 grams)
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
wide angle not the best (38mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic FS15
Landscape photography with Sony H20
27
image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (29mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
small screen (2.7")
no manual exposure
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
no Timelapse recording
36
has manual focus
screen size is decent (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (38mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
low megapixels (10MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
no Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FS15 Vlogging advice
Sony H20 Vlogging advice
25
image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not great (29mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (640 x 480 resolution)
no external microphone jack
23
image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not the best (38mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
screen is not selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
no external microphone support
more heavy than competition (250g)
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Panasonic FS15 vs Sony H20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FS15 and Sony H20
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS15Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H20
General Information
Company Panasonic Sony
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS15 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H20
Category Ultracompact Small Sensor Compact
Released 2009-01-16 2009-05-14
Physical type Ultracompact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 10 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4000 x 3000 3648 x 2736
Highest native ISO 1600 3200
Highest boosted ISO 6400 -
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 29-145mm (5.0x) 38-380mm (10.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.3-5.9 f/3.5-4.4
Macro focusing distance 5cm 2cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.7 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000s 1/2000s
Continuous shooting rate 2.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance - 7.10 m
Flash settings Auto, Auto Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced Off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Front Curtain, Rear Curtain
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
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) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 640x480 1280x720
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 grams (0.30 lbs) 250 grams (0.55 lbs)
Physical dimensions 97 x 54 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.1" x 0.9") 107 x 69 x 47mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 ID - NP-BG1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Launch cost $180 $249