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Panasonic FS42 vs Sony A230

Portability
95
Imaging
33
Features
10
Overall
23
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A230 front
Portability
69
Imaging
49
Features
40
Overall
45

Panasonic FS42 vs Sony A230 Key Specs

Panasonic FS42
(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
Sony A230
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 490g - 128 x 97 x 68mm
  • Announced May 2009
  • Old Model is Sony A200
  • New Model is Sony A290
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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.

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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.

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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 dimension2.7"2.5"Larger display (+0.2")

Common features in the Panasonic FS42 and Sony A230

 FS42 A230 
AnnouncedApril 2009May 2009Same generation
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kExact 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Panasonic FS42 vs Sony A230 size comparison

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

Panasonic FS42 vs Sony A230 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FS42 vs Sony A230 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FS42 vs Sony A230 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FS42 Portrait photography details
Sony A230 Portrait photography details
19
manual focus not available
manual mode not available
no external flash support
sensor resolution low (10MP)
very small sensor (1/2.5")
no RAW support
53
manual focus
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
doesn't have liveview
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FS42 Street photography details
Sony A230 Street photography details
47
fixed screen
no image stabilization
very small sensor (1/2.5")
no RAW support
maximum ISO low (1,000)
67
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
fixed screen
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic FS42
Sports photography with Sony A230
16
max fps very slow (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
sensor resolution low (10MP)
very small sensor (1/2.5")
no phase detect autofocus
45
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
comes with phase detect autofocus
doesn't have liveview
max fps low (3.0 frames/s)
megapixel count low (10MP)
bad battery pack (230 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FS42 as a Travel photography camera
Sony A230 as a Travel photography camera
51
flash built-in
doesn't have Time Lapse function
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
wide angle not great (33mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
45
has built in flash
lack of Time Lapse mode
bad battery pack (230 shots)
megapixel count low (10MP)
does not have selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FS42 Landscape photography advice
Sony A230 Landscape photography advice
22
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (33mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
tiny screen (2.5")
manual mode not available
no image stabilization
sensor resolution low (10MP)
very small sensor (1/2.5")
maximum ISO low (1,000)
no RAW support
doesn't have Time Lapse function
51
manual focus
switch lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
screen is small (2.7")
doesn't have liveview
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
bad battery pack (230 per charge)
lack of Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FS42 Vlogging info
Sony A230 Vlogging info
22
wide angle not great (33mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
low res video (640 x 480 resolution)
doesn't have external mic socket
9
can't record video
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Panasonic FS42 vs Sony A230 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FS42 and Sony A230
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42Sony 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