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Panasonic FS15 vs Sony W650

Portability
95
Imaging
34
Features
17
Overall
27
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS15 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W650 front
Portability
96
Imaging
39
Features
32
Overall
36

Panasonic FS15 vs Sony W650 Key Specs

Panasonic FS15
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600 (Increase to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 29-145mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 136g - 97 x 54 x 22mm
  • Introduced January 2009
Sony W650
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-125mm (F2.6-6.3) lens
  • 124g - 94 x 56 x 19mm
  • Launched January 2012
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Panasonic FS15 vs Sony W650 Overview

Its time to take a more detailed look at the Panasonic FS15 and Sony W650, one is a Ultracompact and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Panasonic and Sony. There is a huge difference among the image resolutions of the FS15 (12MP) and W650 (16MP) but both cameras provide the identical sensor size (1/2.3").

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The FS15 was unveiled 4 years earlier than the W650 which is a fairly significant gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of these cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic FS15 being a Ultracompact camera and the Sony W650 being a Compact camera.

Before getting straight to a detailed comparison, here is a concise introduction of how the FS15 matches up versus the W650 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic FS15 over the Sony W650

 FS15 W650 

Reasons to pick Sony W650 over the Panasonic FS15

 W650 FS15 
LaunchedJanuary 2012January 2009Newer by 36 months
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")

Common features in the Panasonic FS15 and Sony W650

 FS15 W650 
Manually focus Lack of manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kSame screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch screen Neither has Touch screen

Panasonic FS15 vs Sony W650 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is planning to travel with your camera often, you're going to have to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic FS15 has outer measurements of 97mm x 54mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.1" x 0.9") with a weight of 136 grams (0.30 lbs) whilst the Sony W650 has dimensions of 94mm x 56mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7") along with a weight of 124 grams (0.27 lbs).

Analyze the Panasonic FS15 and Sony W650 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you are using at that moment. Following is a front view dimension comparison of the FS15 vs the W650.

Panasonic FS15 vs Sony W650 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the FS15 and W650 is 95 and 96 respectively.

Panasonic FS15 vs Sony W650 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FS15 vs Sony W650 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is very tough to envision the difference in sensor dimensions just by looking through specifications. The picture underneath will help give you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the FS15 and W650.

Plainly, both the cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit not the same megapixels. You should expect the Sony W650 to render extra detail having an extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop pictures way more aggressively. The more aged FS15 will be disadvantaged in sensor tech.

Panasonic FS15 vs Sony W650 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FS15 vs Sony W650 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FS15 vs Sony W650 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FS15 Portrait photography factors
Sony W650 Portrait photography factors
20
manual focus not available
lack of manual mode
can't use external flash
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
34
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
includes face detect focusing
manual focus not available
no manual exposure
external flash not possible
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FS15 Street photography highlights
Sony W650 Street photography highlights
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
63
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (124g)
screen is fixed
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FS15 Sports photography advice
Sony W650 Sports photography advice
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
max fps very slow (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
40
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
includes tracking focus
max frames per second low (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic FS15
Travel photography with Sony W650
51
has built in flash
doesn't have Timelapse recording
resolution not great (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
wide angle not the best (29mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
69
lighter than others (124 grams)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
really wide (25mm)
does not have Timelapse mode
screen is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f2.6)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FS15 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony W650 as a Landscape photography camera
27
has image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (29mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
tiny screen (2.7")
lack of manual mode
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
doesn't have Timelapse recording
43
really wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.6)
no manual exposure
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
does not have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FS15 Vlogging highlights
Sony W650 Vlogging highlights
25
has 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 microphone support
33
really wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detect focusing
lighter than others (124g)
slow max aperture (f2.6)
screen is not selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have microphone socket
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Panasonic FS15 vs Sony W650 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FS15 and Sony W650
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS15Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W650
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Sony
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS15 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W650
Class Ultracompact Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2009-01-16 2012-01-10
Physical type Ultracompact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor - BIONZ
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 surface area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2 4:3 and 16:9
Full resolution 4000 x 3000 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 1600 3200
Max boosted ISO 6400 -
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 11 -
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 29-145mm (5.0x) 25-125mm (5.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.3-5.9 f/2.6-6.3
Macro focusing distance 5cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.7 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen tech - Clear Photo TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 seconds 2 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 2.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance - 3.70 m
Flash modes Auto, Auto Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced Off Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported 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)
Max video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 136 gr (0.30 pounds) 124 gr (0.27 pounds)
Physical dimensions 97 x 54 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.1" x 0.9") 94 x 56 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7")
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 life - 220 photographs
Form of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-BN
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, microSD/micro SDHC, Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Card slots One One
Cost at launch $180 $140