Panasonic FS42 vs Sony A230
95 Imaging
33 Features
10 Overall
23


69 Imaging
49 Features
40 Overall
45
Panasonic FS42 vs Sony A230 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 10MP - 1/2.5" Sensor
- 2.5" Fixed Display
- ISO 80 - 1000 (Boost to 6400)
- 640 x 480 video
- 33-132mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
- 132g - 98 x 55 x 22mm
- Revealed April 2009
(Full Review)

Panasonic FS42 vs Sony A230 Overview
Below, we are comparing the Panasonic FS42 and Sony A230, one is a Ultracompact and the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by competitors Panasonic and Sony. The image resolution of the FS42 (10MP) and the A230 (10MP) is fairly close but the FS42 (1/2.5") and A230 (APS-C) enjoy different sensor measurements.

The FS42 was introduced at a similar time to the A230 and they are of a similar generation. Both cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic FS42 being a Ultracompact camera and the Sony A230 being a Compact SLR camera.
Before delving in to a full comparison, below is a simple highlight of how the FS42 scores vs the A230 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Panasonic FS42 vs Sony A230 Gallery
Below is a sample of the gallery pictures for Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42 and Sony Alpha DSLR-A230. The whole galleries are provided at Panasonic FS42 Gallery and Sony A230 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Panasonic FS42 over the Sony A230
FS42 | A230 |
---|
Reasons to pick Sony A230 over the Panasonic FS42
A230 | FS42 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | More precise focus | ||
Display dimension | 2.7" | ![]() | 2.5" | Larger display (+0.2") |
Common features in the Panasonic FS42 and Sony A230
FS42 | A230 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | April 2009 | ![]() | May 2009 | Same generation |
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | Exact same display resolution |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither comes with selfie screen | ||
Touch display | ![]() | Neither comes with Touch display |
Panasonic FS42 vs Sony A230 Physical Comparison
For those who are looking to carry around your camera frequently, you will have to factor its weight and size. The Panasonic FS42 comes with physical dimensions of 98mm x 55mm x 22mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") along with a weight of 132 grams (0.29 lbs) whilst the Sony A230 has specifications of 128mm x 97mm x 68mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.7") with a weight of 490 grams (1.08 lbs).
Take a look at the Panasonic FS42 and Sony A230 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are working with at that moment. Following is the front view dimensions comparison of the FS42 compared to the A230.

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the FS42 and A230 is 95 and 69 respectively.

Panasonic FS42 vs Sony A230 Sensor Comparison
Normally, its tough to picture the difference in sensor sizes only by looking through technical specs. The picture here may offer you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the FS42 and A230.
As you have seen, each of the cameras posses the exact same megapixels but different sensor sizes. The FS42 has got the smaller sensor which should make achieving shallow DOF trickier.

Panasonic FS42 vs Sony A230 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FS42 vs Sony A230 Specifications
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42 | Sony Alpha DSLR-A230 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Panasonic | Sony |
Model type | Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42 | Sony Alpha DSLR-A230 |
Class | Ultracompact | Entry-Level DSLR |
Revealed | 2009-04-17 | 2009-05-18 |
Body design | Ultracompact | Compact SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | - | Bionz |
Sensor type | CCD | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/2.5" | APS-C |
Sensor dimensions | 5.744 x 4.308mm | 23.5 x 15.7mm |
Sensor area | 24.7mm² | 369.0mm² |
Sensor resolution | 10MP | 10MP |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Max resolution | 3648 x 2736 | 3872 x 2592 |
Max native ISO | 1000 | 3200 |
Max enhanced ISO | 6400 | - |
Min native ISO | 80 | 100 |
RAW format | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
AF touch | ||
AF continuous | ||
AF single | ||
AF tracking | ||
Selective AF | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
Multi area AF | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detect focusing | ||
Contract detect focusing | ||
Phase detect focusing | ||
Total focus points | - | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | fixed lens | Sony/Minolta Alpha |
Lens zoom range | 33-132mm (4.0x) | - |
Maximal aperture | f/2.8-5.9 | - |
Macro focusing distance | 5cm | - |
Amount of lenses | - | 143 |
Focal length multiplier | 6.3 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display diagonal | 2.5 inch | 2.7 inch |
Display resolution | 230 thousand dot | 230 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch screen | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | Optical (pentamirror) |
Viewfinder coverage | - | 95% |
Viewfinder magnification | - | 0.55x |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 60 seconds | 30 seconds |
Max shutter speed | 1/2000 seconds | 1/4000 seconds |
Continuous shutter speed | 2.0 frames per second | 3.0 frames per second |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | - | Yes |
Change WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash distance | 6.30 m | 10.00 m |
Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Max flash sync | - | 1/160 seconds |
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) | - |
Max video resolution | 640x480 | None |
Video data format | Motion JPEG | - |
Mic jack | ||
Headphone jack | ||
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 seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 132 gr (0.29 lb) | 490 gr (1.08 lb) |
Dimensions | 98 x 55 x 22mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") | 128 x 97 x 68mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.7") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall rating | not tested | 63 |
DXO Color Depth rating | not tested | 22.3 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | not tested | 11.4 |
DXO Low light rating | not tested | 531 |
Other | ||
Battery life | - | 230 photos |
Battery form | - | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | - | NP-FH50 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC card, Internal | SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo |
Storage slots | One | One |
Cost at release | $580 | $569 |