Panasonic FX78 vs Sony S950
95 Imaging
35 Features
31 Overall
33


94 Imaging
33 Features
17 Overall
26
Panasonic FX78 vs Sony S950 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
- Also referred to as Lumix DMC-FX77
(Full Review)
- 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Display
- ISO 80 - 3200
- Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
- No Video
- 33-132mm (F3.3-5.2) lens
- 167g - 93 x 56 x 24mm
- Revealed February 2009

Panasonic FX78 vs Sony S950 Overview
Here, we are matching up the Panasonic FX78 and Sony S950, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by companies Panasonic and Sony. The resolution of the FX78 (12MP) and the S950 (10MP) is very comparable and both cameras have the identical sensor measurements (1/2.3").

The FX78 was revealed 24 months after the S950 making them a generation away from each other. Each of these cameras feature the same body design (Compact).
Before going straight to a in depth comparison, here is a short overview of how the FX78 grades vs the S950 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Panasonic FX78 vs Sony S950 Gallery
This is a sample of the gallery pics for Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX78 & Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S950. The full galleries are viewable at Panasonic FX78 Gallery & Sony S950 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Panasonic FX78 over the Sony S950
FX78 | S950 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | January 2011 | ![]() | February 2009 | Newer by 24 months |
Display size | 3.5" | ![]() | 2.7" | Larger display (+0.8") |
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Easily navigate |
Reasons to pick Sony S950 over the Panasonic FX78
S950 | FX78 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | Very accurate focus |
Common features in the Panasonic FX78 and Sony S950
FX78 | S950 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | Equal display resolution |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither offers selfie screen |
Panasonic FX78 vs Sony S950 Physical Comparison
When you are aiming to travel with your camera frequently, you should take into account its weight and measurements. The Panasonic FX78 offers outside dimensions of 100mm x 55mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") and a weight of 142 grams (0.31 lbs) while the Sony S950 has proportions of 93mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).
Check the Panasonic FX78 and Sony S950 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you use during that time. The following is a front view proportions comparison of the FX78 and the S950.

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the FX78 and S950 is 95 and 94 respectively.

Panasonic FX78 vs Sony S950 Sensor Comparison
In many cases, it is very difficult to see the difference in sensor dimensions purely by seeing specs. The pic underneath may give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the FX78 and S950.
As you can plainly see, the 2 cameras feature the identical sensor size but not the same MP. You can expect to see the Panasonic FX78 to provide greater detail because of its extra 2MP. Greater resolution can also help you crop pics way more aggressively. The fresher FX78 will have a benefit when it comes to sensor tech.

Panasonic FX78 vs Sony S950 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FX78 vs Sony S950 Specifications
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX78 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S950 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Make | Panasonic | Sony |
Model | Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX78 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S950 |
Also referred to as | Lumix DMC-FX77 | - |
Class | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Compact |
Introduced | 2011-01-25 | 2009-02-17 |
Body design | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | Venus Engine FHD | - |
Sensor type | CCD | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor measurements | 6.08 x 4.56mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
Sensor surface area | 27.7mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12 megapixels | 10 megapixels |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Full resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 4000 x 3000 |
Max native ISO | 6400 | 3200 |
Minimum native ISO | 100 | 80 |
RAW files | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch focus | ||
AF continuous | ||
AF single | ||
Tracking AF | ||
AF selectice | ||
AF center weighted | ||
Multi area AF | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detect AF | ||
Contract detect AF | ||
Phase detect AF | ||
Number of focus points | 11 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 24-120mm (5.0x) | 33-132mm (4.0x) |
Maximum aperture | f/2.5-5.9 | f/3.3-5.2 |
Macro focus distance | 5cm | 10cm |
Crop factor | 5.9 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display diagonal | 3.5 inch | 2.7 inch |
Resolution of display | 230k dot | 230k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch functionality | ||
Display tech | TFT LCD | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 60s | 2s |
Highest shutter speed | 1/1400s | 1/1600s |
Continuous shooting speed | 4.0 frames/s | 1.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Custom WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash range | 5.60 m | 3.50 m |
Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync |
External flash | ||
AEB | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
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) | - |
Max video resolution | 1920x1080 | None |
Video data format | MPEG-4, AVCHD | Motion JPEG |
Microphone 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 proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 142 gr (0.31 pounds) | 167 gr (0.37 pounds) |
Physical dimensions | 100 x 55 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") | 93 x 56 x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around score | not tested | not tested |
DXO Color Depth score | not tested | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range score | not tested | not tested |
DXO Low light score | not tested | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery life | 200 photos | - |
Battery format | Battery Pack | - |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal | Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal |
Storage slots | Single | Single |
Pricing at launch | $210 | $130 |