Panasonic FS42 vs Sony A390
95 Imaging
33 Features
10 Overall
23


66 Imaging
53 Features
54 Overall
53
Panasonic FS42 vs Sony A390 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 10MP - 1/2.5" Sensor
- 2.5" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 1000 (Raise to 6400)
- 640 x 480 video
- 33-132mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
- 132g - 98 x 55 x 22mm
- Revealed April 2009
(Full Review)
- 14MP - APS-C Sensor
- 2.7" Tilting Display
- ISO 100 - 3200
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- No Video
- Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
- 549g - 128 x 97 x 86mm
- Released July 2010
- Succeeded the Sony A380

Panasonic FS42 vs Sony A390 Overview
The following is a in depth analysis of the Panasonic FS42 vs Sony A390, former is a Ultracompact while the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by competitors Panasonic and Sony. There is a noticeable difference among the image resolutions of the FS42 (10MP) and A390 (14MP) and the FS42 (1/2.5") and A390 (APS-C) use totally different sensor dimensions.

The FS42 was revealed 15 months prior to the A390 making the cameras a generation away from each other. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic FS42 being a Ultracompact camera and the Sony A390 being a Compact SLR camera.
Before diving in to a in-depth comparison, below is a quick view of how the FS42 matches up versus the A390 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Panasonic FS42 vs Sony A390 Gallery
Below is a sample of the gallery pictures for Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42 & Sony Alpha DSLR-A390. The full galleries are available at Panasonic FS42 Gallery & Sony A390 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Panasonic FS42 over the Sony A390
FS42 | A390 |
---|
Reasons to pick Sony A390 over the Panasonic FS42
A390 | FS42 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | July 2010 | ![]() | April 2009 | Newer by 15 months |
Manually focus | ![]() | Very precise focus | ||
Display type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting display |
Display sizing | 2.7" | ![]() | 2.5" | Larger display (+0.2") |
Common features in the Panasonic FS42 and Sony A390
FS42 | A390 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | Identical display resolution |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither features selfie screen | ||
Touch display | ![]() | Neither features Touch display |
Panasonic FS42 vs Sony A390 Physical Comparison
When you are looking to travel with your camera often, you are going to need to factor its weight and volume. The Panasonic FS42 enjoys physical dimensions of 98mm x 55mm x 22mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 132 grams (0.29 lbs) whilst the Sony A390 has sizing of 128mm x 97mm x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") along with a weight of 549 grams (1.21 lbs).
Compare the Panasonic FS42 vs Sony A390 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you have attached during that time. Following is the front view size comparison of the FS42 versus the A390.

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the FS42 and A390 is 95 and 66 respectively.

Panasonic FS42 vs Sony A390 Sensor Comparison
Usually, its tough to envision the difference in sensor dimensions purely by researching specifications. The image below might give you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the FS42 and A390.
Plainly, both the cameras offer different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The FS42 having a smaller sensor will make shooting shallower depth of field trickier and the Sony A390 will result in more detail because of its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will make it easier to crop pics a little more aggressively. The more aged FS42 will be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Panasonic FS42 vs Sony A390 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FS42 vs Sony A390 Specifications
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42 | Sony Alpha DSLR-A390 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Make | Panasonic | Sony |
Model | Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42 | Sony Alpha DSLR-A390 |
Class | Ultracompact | Entry-Level DSLR |
Revealed | 2009-04-17 | 2010-07-28 |
Body design | Ultracompact | Compact SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor 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 surface area | 24.7mm² | 369.0mm² |
Sensor resolution | 10MP | 14MP |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Full resolution | 3648 x 2736 | 4592 x 3056 |
Max native ISO | 1000 | 3200 |
Max boosted ISO | 6400 | - |
Min native ISO | 80 | 100 |
RAW data | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detection autofocus | ||
Contract detection autofocus | ||
Phase detection autofocus | ||
Number of focus points | - | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | fixed lens | Sony/Minolta Alpha |
Lens focal range | 33-132mm (4.0x) | - |
Maximum aperture | f/2.8-5.9 | - |
Macro focus distance | 5cm | - |
Total lenses | - | 143 |
Focal length multiplier | 6.3 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Range of screen | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Screen sizing | 2.5 inch | 2.7 inch |
Resolution of screen | 230k dot | 230k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch friendly | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | Optical (pentamirror) |
Viewfinder coverage | - | 95 percent |
Viewfinder magnification | - | 0.49x |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 60s | 30s |
Highest shutter speed | 1/2000s | 1/4000s |
Continuous shooting speed | 2.0 frames/s | 3.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | - | Yes |
Set white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash range | 6.30 m | 10.00 m (at ISO 100) |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless |
Hot shoe | ||
AE bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Highest flash sync | - | 1/160s |
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) | - |
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 proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 132 grams (0.29 lb) | 549 grams (1.21 lb) |
Dimensions | 98 x 55 x 22mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") | 128 x 97 x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around score | not tested | 66 |
DXO Color Depth score | not tested | 22.5 |
DXO Dynamic range score | not tested | 11.5 |
DXO Low light score | not tested | 607 |
Other | ||
Battery life | - | 230 images |
Battery form | - | Battery Pack |
Battery model | - | NP-FH50 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Storage media | SD/SDHC card, Internal | SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo |
Storage slots | 1 | 1 |
Launch cost | $580 | $500 |