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Panasonic FS42 vs Sony A900

Portability
95
Imaging
33
Features
10
Overall
23
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A900 front
Portability
54
Imaging
67
Features
62
Overall
65

Panasonic FS42 vs Sony A900 Key Specs

Panasonic FS42
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.5" Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1000 (Bump to 6400)
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 33-132mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 132g - 98 x 55 x 22mm
  • Released April 2009
Sony A900
(Full Review)
  • 25MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 895g - 156 x 117 x 82mm
  • Released October 2008
  • Updated by Sony A99
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Panasonic FS42 vs Sony A900 Overview

Let's take a more detailed look at the Panasonic FS42 and Sony A900, one being a Ultracompact and the latter is a Advanced DSLR by brands Panasonic and Sony. There exists a big gap among the image resolutions of the FS42 (10MP) and A900 (25MP) and the FS42 (1/2.5") and A900 (Full frame) posses different sensor sizing.

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The FS42 was launched 6 months later than the A900 which means that they are both of a similar generation. Both of the cameras have different body design with the Panasonic FS42 being a Ultracompact camera and the Sony A900 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before delving right into a complete comparison, here is a concise summation of how the FS42 matches up against the A900 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FS42 over the Sony A900

 FS42 A900 

Reasons to pick Sony A900 over the Panasonic FS42

 A900 FS42 
Manually focus Dial accurate focusing
Screen dimensions3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution922k230kClearer screen (+692k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic FS42 and Sony A900

 FS42 A900 
ReleasedApril 2009October 2008Same generation
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither offers Touch friendly screen

Panasonic FS42 vs Sony A900 Physical Comparison

When you are going to carry your camera frequently, you're going to have to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic FS42 offers physical dimensions of 98mm x 55mm x 22mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") and a weight of 132 grams (0.29 lbs) whilst the Sony A900 has dimensions of 156mm x 117mm x 82mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 3.2") accompanied by a weight of 895 grams (1.97 lbs).

Compare the Panasonic FS42 and Sony A900 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are utilizing during that time. Underneath is a front view over all size comparison of the FS42 vs the A900.

Panasonic FS42 vs Sony A900 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the FS42 and A900 is 95 and 54 respectively.

Panasonic FS42 vs Sony A900 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FS42 vs Sony A900 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, its difficult to visualize the contrast in sensor sizing purely by viewing specs. The visual below will give you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the FS42 and A900.

As you can plainly see, both of these cameras have different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The FS42 because of its smaller sensor is going to make achieving shallower DOF trickier and the Sony A900 will provide you with extra detail utilizing its extra 15MP. Higher resolution will let you crop pictures a bit more aggressively.

Panasonic FS42 vs Sony A900 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FS42 vs Sony A900 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FS42 vs Sony A900 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FS42 Portrait photography advice
Sony A900 Portrait photography advice
19
no manual focus
manual exposure not available
no external flash support
sensor resolution not great (10 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.5")
doesn't have RAW files
72
you can focus manually
amazing resolution (25 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
supports RAW files
does not have liveview
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FS42 Street photography features
Sony A900 Street photography features
47
screen does not articulate
does not have image stabilization
small sensor (1/2.5")
doesn't have RAW files
low maximum ISO (1,000)
66
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
great sensor size (Full frame)
supports RAW files
weather sealing
no moving screen
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FS42 as a Sports photography camera
Sony A900 as a Sports photography camera
16
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (10 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.5")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
71
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
amazing resolution (25 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
weather sealing
supports phase detect auto focus
does not have liveview
continuous shooting slow (5.0 frames per second)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FS42 as a Travel photography camera
Sony A900 as a Travel photography camera
51
has built in flash
lack of Timelapse function
sensor resolution not great (10 megapixels)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
wide angle not the best (33mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
55
weather sealing
amazing resolution (25MP)
does not have Timelapse mode
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FS42 Landscape photography advice
Sony A900 Landscape photography advice
22
no manual focus
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (33mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
screen is somewhat small (2.5 inch)
manual exposure not available
does not have image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (10MP)
small sensor (1/2.5")
low maximum ISO (1,000)
doesn't have RAW files
lack of Timelapse function
73
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
amazing resolution (25MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
supports RAW files
weather sealing
2 card slots
does not have liveview
does not have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FS42 Vlogging features
Sony A900 Vlogging features
22
wide angle not the best (33mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
video quality not great (640 x 480 pixels)
lack of microphone socket
9
can't record video
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Panasonic FS42 vs Sony A900 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FS42 and Sony A900
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42Sony Alpha DSLR-A900
General Information
Company Panasonic Sony
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42 Sony Alpha DSLR-A900
Category Ultracompact Advanced DSLR
Released 2009-04-17 2008-10-22
Physical type Ultracompact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by - Bionz
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.5" Full frame
Sensor measurements 5.744 x 4.308mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor surface area 24.7mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixels 25 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 3648 x 2736 6048 x 4032
Max native ISO 1000 6400
Max enhanced ISO 6400 -
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens focal range 33-132mm (4.0x) -
Largest aperture f/2.8-5.9 -
Macro focus distance 5cm -
Number of lenses - 143
Crop factor 6.3 1
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.5 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 230k dots 922k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display tech - TFT Xtra Fine color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.74x
Features
Min shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 2.0fps 5.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 6.30 m no built-in flash
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize - 1/250 seconds
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) -
Max video resolution 640x480 None
Video data format Motion JPEG -
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 132 grams (0.29 pounds) 895 grams (1.97 pounds)
Physical dimensions 98 x 55 x 22mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") 156 x 117 x 82mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 3.2")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 79
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.7
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 12.3
DXO Low light score not tested 1431
Other
Battery life - 880 shots
Type of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model - NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC card, Internal Compact Flash (Type I or II), Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, UDMA Mode 5, Supports FAT12 / FAT16 / FAT32
Card slots One 2
Retail pricing $580 $2,736