Panasonic FS42 vs Sony A500
95 Imaging
32 Features
10 Overall
23
63 Imaging
51 Features
52 Overall
51
Panasonic FS42 vs Sony A500 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 10MP - 1/2.5" Sensor
- 2.5" Fixed Display
- 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)
- 12MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Tilting Screen
- ISO 200 - 12800
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- No Video
- Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
- 630g - 137 x 104 x 84mm
- Launched August 2009
- Replacement is Sony A560
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone Panasonic FS42 vs Sony A500 Overview
Lets look a bit more in depth at the Panasonic FS42 vs Sony A500, one is a Ultracompact and the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by rivals Panasonic and Sony. The resolution of the FS42 (10MP) and the A500 (12MP) is relatively comparable but the FS42 (1/2.5") and A500 (APS-C) enjoy totally different sensor sizes.
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created ImagesThe FS42 was unveiled 4 months prior to the A500 and they are of a similar generation. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic FS42 being a Ultracompact camera and the Sony A500 being a Compact SLR camera.
Before we go in to a detailed comparison, below is a short summation of how the FS42 matches up against the A500 for portability, imaging, features and an overall score.
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Below is a preview of the gallery photos for Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42 and Sony Alpha DSLR-A500. The full galleries are provided at Panasonic FS42 Gallery and Sony A500 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Panasonic FS42 over the Sony A500
| FS42 | A500 |
|---|
Reasons to pick Sony A500 over the Panasonic FS42
| A500 | FS42 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manual focus |  | Very exact focus | ||
| Screen type | Tilting |  | Fixed | Tilting screen |
| Screen sizing | 3" |  | 2.5" | Bigger screen (+0.5") |
Common features in the Panasonic FS42 and Sony A500
| FS42 | A500 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Launched | April 2009 |  | August 2009 | Same generation |
| Screen resolution | 230k |  | 230k | Same screen resolution |
| Selfie screen |  | Absent selfie screen | ||
| Touch friendly screen |  | Absent Touch friendly screen |
Panasonic FS42 vs Sony A500 Physical Comparison
If you are intending to carry around your camera frequently, you will need to think about its weight and proportions. The Panasonic FS42 has exterior measurements 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 A500 has measurements of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") with a weight of 630 grams (1.39 lbs).
Analyze the Panasonic FS42 vs Sony A500 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you select at that moment. Here is the front view dimensions comparison of the FS42 and the A500.
Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the FS42 and A500 is 95 and 63 respectively.
Panasonic FS42 vs Sony A500 Sensor Comparison
Usually, it is hard to see the contrast in sensor sizes only by checking out a spec sheet. The image below should provide you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the FS42 and A500.
Clearly, each of the cameras enjoy different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The FS42 having a smaller sensor will make achieving shallower DOF trickier and the Sony A500 will show extra detail having an extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also let you crop photographs far more aggressively.
Panasonic FS42 vs Sony A500 Screen and ViewFinder
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Panasonic FS42 vs Sony A500 Specifications
| Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42 | Sony Alpha DSLR-A500 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Manufacturer | Panasonic | Sony |
| Model | Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42 | Sony Alpha DSLR-A500 |
| Type | Ultracompact | Entry-Level DSLR |
| Revealed | 2009-04-17 | 2009-08-27 |
| Body design | Ultracompact | Compact SLR |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Processor | - | Bionz |
| Sensor type | CCD | CMOS |
| Sensor size | 1/2.5" | APS-C |
| Sensor dimensions | 5.744 x 4.308mm | 23.5 x 15.6mm |
| Sensor surface area | 24.7mm² | 366.6mm² |
| Sensor resolution | 10MP | 12MP |
| Anti aliasing filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
| Maximum resolution | 3648 x 2736 | 4272 x 2848 |
| Maximum native ISO | 1000 | 12800 |
| Maximum boosted ISO | 6400 | - |
| Minimum native ISO | 80 | 200 |
| RAW photos | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Focus manually | ||
| AF touch | ||
| AF continuous | ||
| Single AF | ||
| AF tracking | ||
| AF selectice | ||
| Center weighted AF | ||
| Multi area AF | ||
| Live view AF | ||
| Face detect AF | ||
| Contract detect AF | ||
| Phase detect AF | ||
| Number of focus points | - | 9 |
| Lens | ||
| Lens mount | fixed lens | Sony/Minolta Alpha |
| Lens focal range | 33-132mm (4.0x) | - |
| Highest aperture | f/2.8-5.9 | - |
| Macro focus distance | 5cm | - |
| Available lenses | - | 143 |
| Focal length multiplier | 6.3 | 1.5 |
| Screen | ||
| Range of display | Fixed Type | Tilting |
| Display sizing | 2.5 inch | 3 inch |
| Display resolution | 230 thousand dot | 230 thousand dot |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch display | ||
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder type | None | Optical (pentamirror) |
| Viewfinder coverage | - | 95% |
| Viewfinder magnification | - | 0.53x |
| Features | ||
| Slowest shutter speed | 60 secs | 30 secs |
| Maximum shutter speed | 1/2000 secs | 1/4000 secs |
| Continuous shooting speed | 2.0fps | 5.0fps |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Expose Manually | ||
| Exposure compensation | - | Yes |
| Change WB | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Integrated flash | ||
| Flash range | 6.30 m | 12.00 m |
| Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless |
| Hot shoe | ||
| AE bracketing | ||
| WB bracketing | ||
| Maximum flash sync | - | 1/160 secs |
| Exposure | ||
| Multisegment | ||
| Average | ||
| Spot | ||
| Partial | ||
| AF area | ||
| Center weighted | ||
| Video features | ||
| Video resolutions | 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) | - |
| Maximum video resolution | 640x480 | None |
| Video file format | Motion JPEG | - |
| Mic input | ||
| Headphone input | ||
| 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 | 132g (0.29 lb) | 630g (1.39 lb) |
| Dimensions | 98 x 55 x 22mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") | 137 x 104 x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") |
| DXO scores | ||
| DXO All around score | not tested | 64 |
| DXO Color Depth score | not tested | 21.8 |
| DXO Dynamic range score | not tested | 11.6 |
| DXO Low light score | not tested | 772 |
| Other | ||
| Battery life | - | 520 images |
| Battery format | - | Battery Pack |
| Battery model | - | NP-FM500H |
| Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
| Time lapse feature | ||
| Type of storage | SD/SDHC card, Internal | SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
| Storage slots | 1 | 1 |
| Retail cost | $580 | $638 |