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Panasonic FX78 vs Sony W230

Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
31
Overall
33
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX78 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230 front
Portability
95
Imaging
34
Features
25
Overall
30

Panasonic FX78 vs Sony W230 Key Specs

Panasonic FX78
(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
  • Additionally Known as Lumix DMC-FX77
Sony W230
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 30-120mm (F2.8-5.8) lens
  • 156g - 95 x 57 x 22mm
  • Released February 2009
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Panasonic FX78 vs Sony W230 Overview

Here, we will be reviewing the Panasonic FX78 and Sony W230, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by manufacturers Panasonic and Sony. The resolution of the FX78 (12MP) and the W230 (12MP) is relatively similar and both cameras posses the identical sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The FX78 was brought out 24 months after the W230 which makes them a generation away from one another. The two cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before going straight to a full comparison, here is a short introduction of how the FX78 grades against the W230 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FX78 over the Sony W230

 FX78 W230 
ReleasedJanuary 2011February 2009Newer by 24 months
Screen size3.5"3"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Sony W230 over the Panasonic FX78

 W230 FX78 
Focus manually Dial accurate focusing

Common features in the Panasonic FX78 and Sony W230

 FX78 W230 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kSame screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen

Panasonic FX78 vs Sony W230 Physical Comparison

In case you're going to travel with your camera regularly, you will need to take into account its weight and size. The Panasonic FX78 enjoys exterior measurements of 100mm x 55mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") accompanied by a weight of 142 grams (0.31 lbs) and the Sony W230 has specifications of 95mm x 57mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") having a weight of 156 grams (0.34 lbs).

Compare the Panasonic FX78 and Sony W230 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you are utilising during that time. Here is a front view overall size comparison of the FX78 compared to the W230.

Panasonic FX78 vs Sony W230 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the FX78 and W230 is 95 and 95 respectively.

Panasonic FX78 vs Sony W230 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FX78 vs Sony W230 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is very tough to visualize the contrast between sensor dimensions simply by going over specifications. The image here will offer you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the FX78 and W230.

To sum up, both of these cameras feature the identical sensor size and the same MP so you should expect similar quality of photographs however you would want to factor the release date of the products into consideration. The fresher FX78 provides a benefit with regard to sensor technology.

Panasonic FX78 vs Sony W230 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FX78 vs Sony W230 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FX78 vs Sony W230 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FX78 Portrait photography factors
Sony W230 Portrait photography factors
21
manual focus not available
manual exposure not possible
can't use external flash
megapixel count low (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
27
focusing manually
no manual control
no external flash support
MP count low (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic FX78
Street photography with Sony W230
57
built in image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
56
image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FX78 Sports photography advice
Sony W230 Sports photography advice
28
built in image stabilization (Optical)
offers tracking focus
maximum shutter speed is a little low (1/1,400 seconds)
slow continuous shooting (4.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
megapixel count low (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
not so great battery power (200 shots)
lacks phase detect AF
25
image stabilization (Optical)
max fps low (2.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
MP count low (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FX78 as a Travel photography camera
Sony W230 as a Travel photography camera
56
flash built-in
relatively wide (24mm)
lack of Time Lapse recording
not so great battery power (200 per charge)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f2.5)
51
has built in flash
no Timelapse mode
MP count low (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
wide angle not the best (30mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FX78 Landscape photography highlights
Sony W230 Landscape photography highlights
36
relatively wide (24mm)
screen larger than average (3.5 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.5)
manual exposure not possible
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
not so great battery power (200 CIPA)
lack of Time Lapse recording
36
focusing manually
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (30mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
no manual control
MP count low (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
no Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FX78 Vlogging information
Sony W230 Vlogging information
33
relatively wide (24mm)
screen is touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
great video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
slow max aperture (f2.5)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
lack of mic support
25
image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not the best (30mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
display is not selfie friendly
low video resolution (640 x 480 resolution)
no external microphone socket
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Panasonic FX78 vs Sony W230 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FX78 and Sony W230
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX78Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230
General Information
Brand Panasonic Sony
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX78 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230
Also referred to as Lumix DMC-FX77 -
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2011-01-25 2009-02-17
Physical type 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 area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 6400 3200
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-120mm (5.0x) 30-120mm (4.0x)
Highest aperture f/2.5-5.9 f/2.8-5.8
Macro focusing distance 5cm 4cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3.5 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display tech TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 secs 1 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/1400 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shooting rate 4.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 5.60 m 3.90 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
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) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 640x480
Video format MPEG-4, AVCHD Motion JPEG
Microphone port
Headphone port
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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 142g (0.31 lb) 156g (0.34 lb)
Physical dimensions 100 x 55 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") 95 x 57 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 200 images -
Battery type 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
Card slots 1 1
Price at launch $210 $180