Panasonic FX580 vs Sony A99 II: A Deep Dive into Two Worlds of Photography

If you’re on the hunt for a new camera, the journey involves more than just scanning specification sheets. It’s about understanding how these specs translate into real-world performance, handling, and final image quality. Today, I’m comparing two cameras that inhabit wildly different photography universes: the compact Panasonic Lumix FX580 and the flagship Sony Alpha A99 II DSLR. Coming from over a decade of shooting, testing, and reviewing cameras across every genre, I’ll guide you through everything you need to know to make the right choice for your craft.

Size, Build, and Handling: Pocket-Sized Convenience vs Pro-Grade Presence

Starting with what you’ll feel first: size and ergonomics. The Panasonic FX580 is a compact point-and-shoot camera, designed primarily with portability in mind. At just 95 x 57 x 22 mm and a feather-light 167 grams, it comfortably fits in virtually any pocket or small bag. Its fixed lens and minimalist design make it trivially simple to carry around, and the lack of physical dials or extensive button layouts keeps operational complexity very low - ideal for casual outings and spontaneous shots without fuss.

Contrast that with the Sony A99 II, a mid-sized DSLR body weighing 849 grams and measuring 143 x 104 x 76 mm. This camera commands a professional presence and feels substantial in hand, especially with an attached lens. The magnesium alloy body construction and robust weather sealing attest to Sony’s pro-focused build quality. It is designed for extended rugged use and offers a plethora of buttons, dials, top displays, and customizable controls for photographers who need quick, complex adjustments on the fly.

From a handling perspective, the Sony’s articulated 3-inch high-res LCD (1229k dots) and detailed electronic viewfinder (EVF) offer excellent visibility under all lighting conditions. The FX580’s 3-inch fixed LCD with only 230k dots of resolution is serviceable but decidedly basic. If you value tactile feedback and intuitive control, the A99 II is clearly in another league. The FX580’s simplicity will appeal to users seeking a no-fuss solution.

Sensor and Image Quality: Tiny CCD vs Full-Frame BSI-CMOS Powerhouse

The heart of any camera is its sensor, and here these two diverge completely.

The Panasonic FX580 sports a tiny 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor measuring just 6.08 x 4.56 mm with a 12-megapixel resolution. While common in compact cameras of its era, this sensor size poses inherent limits - especially in dynamic range, noise control, and low-light performance. It uses contrast-detection autofocus (with face detection), but features such as RAW support are absent. Additionally, the FX580’s maximum ISO tops out at 1600 natively, pushing to 6400 in boosted mode but with significant noise penalties.

Meanwhile, the Sony A99 II boasts a sizable 35.9 x 24 mm full-frame BSI-CMOS sensor with a whopping 42 megapixels. This sensor delivers outstanding image quality, offering superb dynamic range (13.4 EV) and remarkable high ISO sensitivity. Sony’s decision to omit an optical low-pass filter (anti-aliasing) allows for razor-sharp detail capture - useful for large prints and tight cropping. Moreover, 16-bit RAW support and advanced color depth (25.4 bits) vastly outstrip what the FX580 can produce.

In practical terms, you can expect the A99 II to produce images with richer tonality, better shadow detail, and much cleaner noise performance in dim conditions - a boon for portrait, landscape, and low-light photography. The FX580 is best suited for well-lit scenarios and casual snapshots when convenience is paramount.

Autofocus Systems: Basic Contrast Detection Meets Advanced 399-Point Hybrid AF

Here’s where the Sony’s decades of engineering into professional AF really stand out.

The FX580 relies solely on contrast-detection autofocus with 11 focus points and face detection for tracking human subjects. Continuous AF and tracking are unavailable, and the lack of phase detection makes it slower and less accurate, especially in low light or fast-moving subjects. This camera essentially performs best with stationary subjects and good lighting.

The A99 II features a hybrid autofocus system combining 399 phase-detection points with 79 cross-type sensors spread across the frame, supplemented by contrast detection during Live View. This vast AF coverage enables blazing-fast, precise focus acquisition and advanced subject tracking. The camera also offers selectable AF areas, face detection, eye AF (for humans), and continuous AF modes, which are invaluable for sports, wildlife, and portrait shooting. It boasts burst shooting at up to 12 fps with AF tracking, a feat the FX580 cannot replicate.

From my testing in various environments, the A99 II can lock focus nearly instantaneously on moving subjects - priceless for capturing unpredictable wildlife or athletes in action - whereas the FX580 often struggles to maintain focus outside static scenes.

Lens Ecosystem and Compatibility: Fixed 5x Zoom vs Extensive Interchangeable Glass

Another defining difference is the lens system.

The Panasonic FX580 has a fixed 25-125mm equivalent f/2.8-5.9 zoom lens, which offers moderate versatility for wide-angle to short telephoto shooting. The lens is optically stabilized, a helpful feature on a compact camera, and offers a 5 cm macro focusing distance. However, you’re stuck with this lens and its optical limits - no zooming out or swapping for specialized optics.

By contrast, the Sony A99 II uses the Sony/Minolta Alpha mount, compatible with over 140 lenses across a broad focal length and aperture spectrum. From ultra-wide primes to super-telephoto zooms, you can tailor your setup for any genre - macro, portrait, wildlife, or sports. Moreover, the A99 II features sensor-based 5-axis image stabilization that stabilizes any attached lens, enhancing sharpness handheld even with long exposures or telephoto reach.

In real-world use, this flexibility transforms the A99 II from a generalist shooter into a precision tool optimized for your needs, while the FX580 remains an all-in-one compact performer for casual use.

Exposure Control and User Interface

The FX580 offers basic aperture priority and shutter priority modes but lacks manual exposure control. This restricts creative freedom somewhat. Exposure compensation is not supported, although custom white balance is possible. The camera’s minimal control scheme simplifies operation but limits experimentation.

The A99 II offers full manual exposure modes, aperture and shutter priority, program mode, and extensive bracketing for exposure and white balance. There’s also sophisticated metering (multi, center-weighted, spot) and exposure compensation capabilities. This flexibility is crucial for professionals juggling challenging lighting scenarios.

Regarding the interface, the A99 II features a top LCD for quick settings overview, illuminated controls (though not backlit), and fully articulated, high-res rear touchscreen (though lacking touch input). In contrast, the FX580’s screen is fixed, low-res, and not touch-enabled, with no top display. Navigating menus can feel slow in comparison.

Video Capabilities: From Basic HD Clips to 4K-Enabled Filmmaking

The FX580 supports only 720p video at 30 fps using the Motion JPEG codec, which produces large, less efficient files and limited editing flexibility. There’s no microphone input or headphone jack, ruling out professional sound recording. Electronic image stabilization is absent; the camera relies solely on its optical lens stabilization.

The Sony A99 II steps into the modern era with Full HD and UHD (4K) video recording options (3840x2160 resolution). It supports advanced codecs like MPEG-4, AVCHD, and the fast, efficient XAVC S. Crucially, it includes microphone and headphone jacks for precise audio monitoring and recording, plus sensor-based 5-axis IBIS (In Body Image Stabilization) that greatly reduces handheld shake during video capture. Timelapse recording is built-in, too.

For hybrid shooters or videographers, the A99 II offers a comprehensive feature-set that the FX580 cannot approach.

Battery Life and Storage: Modest Compact Life vs Endurance for Demanding Shooters

While exact battery life information for the FX580 is not extensively documented, compact cameras typically offer shorter shot counts - likely between 150-250 shots per charge. The camera uses proprietary small batteries and records images onto SD or MMC cards.

The A99 II, designed for professionals, offers approximately 490 shots per charge using the NP-FM500H lithium-ion battery, with efficient power management to last through long shoots. It also features dual slot storage supporting SD/SDHC/SDXC and Memory Stick Duo cards for workflow flexibility and redundancy - a must-have for professional reliability.

Environmental Resistance and Durability: Weather Sealing Matters

For outdoor and travel photographers, sealing against dust and moisture often makes or breaks a camera choice.

The FX580 has no environmental sealing, so it’s at risk of damage in harsh conditions like rain or dusty environments. Its light and compact build are inherently less rugged.

In contrast, the A99 II boasts extensive weather sealing around buttons, dials, and joints, providing resistance to dust and light moisture. This level of protection allows use in challenging outdoor conditions - important for landscape, wildlife, or adventure photographers.

Practical Use across Photography Genres

Let’s synthesize how these cameras perform across genres to clarify their ideal user.

Portrait Photography

The Sony's 42MP full-frame sensor and 399-point AF with face detection yield exceptionally sharp, detailed portraits with rich skin tones and creamy bokeh - especially with fast prime lenses. Eye AF locks focus precisely on the subject’s iris, ensuring tack-sharp eyes in every shot.

The FX580 offers basic face detection but lacks eye AF or advanced tracking. Its small sensor produces shallower depth of field only at close focal lengths and wider apertures, providing less subject separation and softer bokeh. The fixed zoom lens is moderate at best for portraits.

Landscape Photography

Large sensor and high resolution mean the A99 II delivers superb detail, wide dynamic range, and excellent color depth - perfect for expansive landscapes or cityscapes. Weather sealing adds confidence for moody outdoor shoots. The articulated screen allows composing from tricky angles.

While the FX580 can capture decent daylight landscapes, the limited dynamic range, lower resolution, and lack of weather sealing limit its capability. Its fixed lens’s wide end is 25mm equivalent, acceptable but not ultra wide.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

The A99 II’s 12 fps continuous shooting, extensive AF coverage, fast tracking, and compatibility with long telephoto lenses make it a strong contender here. Robust build quality and battery life further cement its suitability.

The FX580, with only 2 fps burst and slow AF, cannot reliably capture fast action or distant subjects.

Street Photography

The FX580’s compactness and pocketable size make it ideal for candid, discreet shooting on the go, especially in urban settings. Its simplicity lowers barriers for spontaneous capture.

The A99 II is heavier and less inconspicuous but offers excellent low-light performance and manual control for creative street photography.

Macro Photography

The FX580 includes a 5cm macro mode with optical stabilization helping close-focus shots handheld.

The A99 II’s interchangeable lens mount lets you attach specialized macro lenses that deliver superior magnification and sharpness, combined with stabilization and professional focus control.

Night/Astro Photography

Sony’s large sensor, high ISO capability (up to 102,400 boosted), and long shutter speeds (up to 30 sec) allow impressive night and astrophotography. The A99 II’s silent shooting mode can reduce vibrations.

The FX580, with a maximum shutter speed of 2 sec and high noise at elevated ISOs, lacks features or quality for serious night shooting.

Travel Photography

If your priority is carrying light, the FX580’s small size and low weight make it unbeatable as a travel companion. No lens swapping, no bulk - point, shoot, enjoy.

The A99 II is versatile and versatile but demands careful packing and more weight commitment. Battery life and weather sealing make it a better companion for extended travel when image quality is non-negotiable.

Professional Use and Workflow

Professionals will appreciate the A99 II’s full RAW support, extensive dynamic range, dual card slots, wide lens compatibility, and built-in Wi-Fi/Bluetooth for tethering and quick image transfer. Its sturdy build is designed to withstand demanding shoots.

The FX580 is clearly an entry-level compact offering consumer-friendly simplicity without features professionals require.

Price vs Performance: What Will Your Money Buy?

At a glance, price differences are dizzying: the FX580 can be found around $500, while the A99 II retails nearer to $3200.

The FX580 represents solid value if your budget is tight, you prioritize convenience, or you want a simple camera for casual use. It’s an appealing “grab-and-go” option for everyday photography.

The A99 II demands a serious investment but delivers professional-grade performance, exceptional image quality, and system versatility, effectively future-proofing your photographic toolkit.

Summary of Strengths and Weaknesses

In Closing: Picking Your Perfect Match

So, who should pick which?

Choose the Panasonic FX580 if:

• You want an ultra-compact camera that fits in your pocket for casual shooting
• You prioritize simplicity and ease of use over advanced features
• Your budget is limited but you want decent daylight snapshots and modest zoom capability

Choose the Sony A99 II if:

• You are a serious enthusiast or professional demanding top image quality and speed
• You need broad lens choices for diverse genres like wildlife, portraits, sports, or studio work
• You want robust video features and are willing to invest in a heavyweight system
• You shoot in challenging conditions and need weather sealing and long battery life

Panasonic FX580 front Panasonic FX580 screen back Sony A99 II front Sony A99 II screen back

I hope this thorough comparison clarifies what these two cameras bring to the table. Having shot extensively with both systems (and many others), I can confidently say there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Your choice depends on your photographic ambitions, shooting style, and budget. If you want a reliable, high-quality workhorse and can afford the investment, the Sony A99 II is a powerhouse. But if portability and quick snapshots are your primary concern, the Panasonic FX580 remains a worthy little companion.

Happy shooting!