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Panasonic FS15 vs Sony A37

Portability
95
Imaging
34
Features
17
Overall
27
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS15 front
 
Sony SLT-A37 front
Portability
67
Imaging
57
Features
65
Overall
60

Panasonic FS15 vs Sony A37 Key Specs

Panasonic FS15
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • 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
  • Released January 2009
Sony A37
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.6" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 506g - 124 x 92 x 85mm
  • Announced May 2012
  • Superseded the Sony A35
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Panasonic FS15 vs Sony A37 Overview

In this article, we will be looking at the Panasonic FS15 and Sony A37, former is a Ultracompact while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by brands Panasonic and Sony. There exists a sizable gap among the sensor resolutions of the FS15 (12MP) and A37 (16MP) and the FS15 (1/2.3") and A37 (APS-C) come with totally different sensor dimensions.

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The FS15 was brought out 4 years prior to the A37 which is a fairly significant difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of these cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic FS15 being a Ultracompact camera and the Sony A37 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before going straight into a complete comparison, below is a simple synopsis of how the FS15 scores versus the A37 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FS15 over the Sony A37

 FS15 A37 
Screen sizing2.7"2.6"Bigger screen (+0.1")

Reasons to pick Sony A37 over the Panasonic FS15

 A37 FS15 
AnnouncedMay 2012January 2009More modern by 40 months
Manual focus Dial exact focusing
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen

Common features in the Panasonic FS15 and Sony A37

 FS15 A37 
Screen resolution230k230kThe same screen resolution
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither includes Touch friendly screen

Panasonic FS15 vs Sony A37 Physical Comparison

In case you're aiming to carry around your camera often, you're going to have to consider its weight and proportions. The Panasonic FS15 features 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) and the Sony A37 has measurements of 124mm x 92mm x 85mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 3.3") having a weight of 506 grams (1.12 lbs).

Examine the Panasonic FS15 and Sony A37 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are working with at that time. The following is the front view scale comparison of the FS15 against the A37.

Panasonic FS15 vs Sony A37 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the FS15 and A37 is 95 and 67 respectively.

Panasonic FS15 vs Sony A37 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FS15 vs Sony A37 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is tough to visualise the contrast in sensor sizes merely by checking out a spec sheet. The image here will help offer you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the FS15 and A37.

Clearly, both of those cameras enjoy different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The FS15 because of its smaller sensor will make shooting shallower depth of field harder and the Sony A37 will show more detail having its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also help you crop pictures far more aggressively. The more aged FS15 will be disadvantaged in sensor tech.

Panasonic FS15 vs Sony A37 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FS15 vs Sony A37 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FS15 vs Sony A37 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FS15 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony A37 as a Portrait photography camera
20
focusing manually not possible
manual mode not possible
external flash not possible
MP count low (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
74
manual focus
good MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
comes with face detect focus
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FS15 Street photography information
Sony A37 Street photography information
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
77
screen tilts
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
very good ISO range (25,600)
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FS15 Sports photography info
Sony A37 Sports photography info
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
slow frames per second (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
MP count low (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
61
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
comes with phase detect auto focus
max fps very slow (6.0 frames per second)
low battery pack (500 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FS15 Travel photography info
Sony A37 Travel photography info
51
built-in flash
doesn't have Time Lapse function
MP count low (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not good (29mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
54
good MP (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
lack of Timelapse function
low battery pack (500 per charge)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FS15 Landscape photography details
Sony A37 Landscape photography details
27
built in image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (29mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
small screen (2.7 inch)
manual mode not possible
MP count low (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
doesn't have Time Lapse function
64
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
very good ISO range (25,600)
supports RAW formats
screen is somewhat small (2.6")
low battery pack (500 CIPA)
lack of Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic FS15
Vlogging with Sony A37
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not good (29mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video quality not great (640 x 480 resolution)
doesn't have mic support
35
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detect focus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does have microphone port
display is not selfie friendly
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Panasonic FS15 vs Sony A37 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FS15 and Sony A37
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS15Sony SLT-A37
General Information
Make Panasonic Sony
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS15 Sony SLT-A37
Class Ultracompact Entry-Level DSLR
Released 2009-01-16 2012-05-16
Body design Ultracompact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4000 x 3000 4912 x 3264
Max native ISO 1600 25600
Max enhanced ISO 6400 -
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 11 15
Cross type focus points - 3
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens zoom range 29-145mm (5.0x) -
Largest aperture f/3.3-5.9 -
Macro focusing range 5cm -
Available lenses - 143
Crop factor 5.9 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display diagonal 2.7 inch 2.6 inch
Resolution of display 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,440 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.73x
Features
Min shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 2.0 frames per second 6.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance - 12.00 m
Flash modes Auto, Auto Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced Off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync - 1/160 secs
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) 1920 x 1080 (60, 29.97 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 640 x 424 (29.97 fps)
Max video resolution 640x480 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
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 seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 136 grams (0.30 lbs) 506 grams (1.12 lbs)
Dimensions 97 x 54 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.1" x 0.9") 124 x 92 x 85mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 75
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.3
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.9
DXO Low light rating not tested 799
Other
Battery life - 500 pictures
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-FW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec 3 or 5 images)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots One One
Price at release $180 $522