Panasonic FX78 vs Sony A330
95 Imaging
35 Features
31 Overall
33


67 Imaging
50 Features
50 Overall
50
Panasonic FX78 vs Sony A330 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3.5" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 6400
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 24-120mm (F2.5-5.9) lens
- 142g - 100 x 55 x 21mm
- Introduced January 2011
- Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-FX77
(Full Review)
- 10MP - APS-C Sensor
- 2.7" Tilting Display
- ISO 100 - 3200
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- No Video
- Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
- 529g - 128 x 97 x 71mm
- Launched May 2009
- Succeeded the Sony A300

Panasonic FX78 vs Sony A330 Overview
Below, we are evaluating the Panasonic FX78 versus Sony A330, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by companies Panasonic and Sony. The sensor resolution of the FX78 (12MP) and the A330 (10MP) is very similar but the FX78 (1/2.3") and A330 (APS-C) come with different sensor size.

The FX78 was released 21 months later than the A330 making the cameras a generation apart from one another. Both the cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic FX78 being a Compact camera and the Sony A330 being a Compact SLR camera.
Before delving in to a detailed comparison, below is a quick highlight of how the FX78 matches up vs the A330 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Panasonic FX78 vs Sony A330 Gallery
The following is a sample of the gallery pics for Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX78 & Sony Alpha DSLR-A330. The complete galleries are viewable at Panasonic FX78 Gallery & Sony A330 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Panasonic FX78 over the Sony A330
FX78 | A330 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | January 2011 | ![]() | May 2009 | Fresher by 21 months |
Display dimension | 3.5" | ![]() | 2.7" | Larger display (+0.8") |
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Easily navigate |
Reasons to pick Sony A330 over the Panasonic FX78
A330 | FX78 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | More exact focusing | ||
Display type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting display |
Common features in the Panasonic FX78 and Sony A330
FX78 | A330 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | Identical display resolution |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither includes selfie screen |
Panasonic FX78 vs Sony A330 Physical Comparison
For anybody who is looking to carry your camera frequently, you will want to factor in its weight and proportions. The Panasonic FX78 features exterior dimensions of 100mm x 55mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") accompanied by a weight of 142 grams (0.31 lbs) whilst the Sony A330 has measurements of 128mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.8") and a weight of 529 grams (1.17 lbs).
Look at the Panasonic FX78 versus Sony A330 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you have attached at the time. Underneath is the front view sizing comparison of the FX78 and the A330.

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the FX78 and A330 is 95 and 67 respectively.

Panasonic FX78 vs Sony A330 Sensor Comparison
Normally, it's hard to visualize the contrast between sensor sizing purely by going over specs. The visual below will help give you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the FX78 and A330.
All in all, both cameras posses different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The FX78 because of its tinier sensor is going to make achieving shallow depth of field more challenging and the Panasonic FX78 will deliver extra detail as a result of its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will also help you crop images somewhat more aggressively. The newer FX78 provides an advantage with regard to sensor tech.

Panasonic FX78 vs Sony A330 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FX78 vs Sony A330 Specifications
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX78 | Sony Alpha DSLR-A330 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Panasonic | Sony |
Model type | Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX78 | Sony Alpha DSLR-A330 |
Also called as | Lumix DMC-FX77 | - |
Category | Small Sensor Compact | Entry-Level DSLR |
Introduced | 2011-01-25 | 2009-05-18 |
Body design | Compact | Compact SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | Venus Engine FHD | Bionz |
Sensor type | CCD | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | APS-C |
Sensor dimensions | 6.08 x 4.56mm | 23.5 x 15.7mm |
Sensor surface area | 27.7mm² | 369.0mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12 megapixels | 10 megapixels |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Highest Possible resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 3872 x 2592 |
Maximum native ISO | 6400 | 3200 |
Minimum native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW photos | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch focus | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detect autofocus | ||
Contract detect autofocus | ||
Phase detect autofocus | ||
Total focus points | 11 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens support | fixed lens | Sony/Minolta Alpha |
Lens zoom range | 24-120mm (5.0x) | - |
Highest aperture | f/2.5-5.9 | - |
Macro focusing range | 5cm | - |
Number of lenses | - | 143 |
Crop factor | 5.9 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Display size | 3.5 inches | 2.7 inches |
Resolution of display | 230k dot | 230k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch operation | ||
Display technology | TFT LCD | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | Optical (pentamirror) |
Viewfinder coverage | - | 95 percent |
Viewfinder magnification | - | 0.49x |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 60 secs | 30 secs |
Max shutter speed | 1/1400 secs | 1/4000 secs |
Continuous shutter speed | 4.0fps | 3.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | - | Yes |
Set white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash distance | 5.60 m | 10.00 m |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless |
External flash | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Max flash sync | - | 1/160 secs |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) | - |
Maximum video resolution | 1920x1080 | None |
Video file format | MPEG-4, AVCHD | - |
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 | ||
Environment seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 142g (0.31 pounds) | 529g (1.17 pounds) |
Dimensions | 100 x 55 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") | 128 x 97 x 71mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.8") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall rating | not tested | 64 |
DXO Color Depth rating | not tested | 22.4 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | not tested | 11.5 |
DXO Low light rating | not tested | 535 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 200 images | 230 images |
Battery format | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | - | NP-FH50 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal | SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo |
Storage slots | One | One |
Pricing at release | $210 | $545 |