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Panasonic FX78 vs Sony W800

Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
31
Overall
33
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX78 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W800 front
Portability
96
Imaging
44
Features
29
Overall
38

Panasonic FX78 vs Sony W800 Key Specs

Panasonic FX78
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-120mm (F2.5-5.9) lens
  • 142g - 100 x 55 x 21mm
  • Launched January 2011
  • Other Name is Lumix DMC-FX77
Sony W800
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-130mm (F3.2-6.4) lens
  • 125g - 97 x 55 x 21mm
  • Introduced February 2014
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Panasonic FX78 vs Sony W800 Overview

In this write-up, we will be analyzing the Panasonic FX78 and Sony W800, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by companies Panasonic and Sony. There exists a large gap between the sensor resolutions of the FX78 (12MP) and W800 (20MP) but they use the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The FX78 was brought out 4 years earlier than the W800 and that is quite a serious difference as far as technology is concerned. Both of the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before diving in to a complete comparison, below is a simple highlight of how the FX78 matches up vs the W800 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FX78 over the Sony W800

 FX78 W800 
Screen sizing3.5"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.8")
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Sony W800 over the Panasonic FX78

 W800 FX78 
IntroducedFebruary 2014January 2011More recent by 37 months

Common features in the Panasonic FX78 and Sony W800

 FX78 W800 
Manually focus No manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kThe same screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen

Panasonic FX78 vs Sony W800 Physical Comparison

For those who are intending to lug around your camera frequently, you are going to need to consider its weight and measurements. The Panasonic FX78 enjoys exterior dimensions of 100mm x 55mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") having a weight of 142 grams (0.31 lbs) and the Sony W800 has proportions of 97mm x 55mm x 21mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.8") along with a weight of 125 grams (0.28 lbs).

Check the Panasonic FX78 and Sony W800 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you use during that time. Below is the front view dimension comparison of the FX78 compared to the W800.

Panasonic FX78 vs Sony W800 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the FX78 and W800 is 95 and 96 respectively.

Panasonic FX78 vs Sony W800 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FX78 vs Sony W800 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it's difficult to imagine the difference between sensor measurements simply by checking technical specs. The graphic underneath might give you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the FX78 and W800.

As you have seen, both of those cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit different MP. You can expect the Sony W800 to give you more detail having its extra 8MP. Higher resolution will enable you to crop shots far more aggressively. The older FX78 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.

Panasonic FX78 vs Sony W800 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FX78 vs Sony W800 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FX78 vs Sony W800 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FX78 Portrait photography details
Sony W800 Portrait photography details
21
lack of manual focus
manual mode not available
external flash not possible
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
37
MP count decent (20 megapixels)
includes face detection autofocus
lack of manual focus
manual mode not possible
can't use external flash
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FX78 as a Street photography camera
Sony W800 as a Street photography camera
57
image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
64
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (125 grams)
screen is fixed
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic FX78
Sports photography with Sony W800
28
image stabilization (Optical)
provides tracking focus
maximum shutter speed is a little low (1/1,400 seconds)
very slow continuous shooting (4.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
bad battery power (200 shots)
has no phase detect AF
43
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (20MP)
includes tracking autofocus
low fps (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FX78 Travel photography information
Sony W800 Travel photography information
56
has built in flash
reasonably wide (24mm)
lack of Time Lapse mode
bad battery power (200 CIPA)
megapixel count low (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.5)
70
lighter than competitors in class (125 grams)
MP count decent (20MP)
built-in flash
pretty wide (26mm)
lack of Time Lapse function
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic FX78
Landscape photography with Sony W800
36
reasonably wide (24mm)
screen larger than average (3.5 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.5)
manual mode not available
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
bad battery power (200 shots)
lack of Time Lapse mode
40
pretty wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (20MP)
lack of manual focus
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
small screen (2.7 inch)
manual mode not possible
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
lack of Time Lapse function
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic FX78
Vlogging with Sony W800
33
reasonably wide (24mm)
touchscreen enabled
image stabilization (Optical)
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.5)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of mic support
33
pretty wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detection autofocus
lighter than competitors in class (125g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of external mic port
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Panasonic FX78 vs Sony W800 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FX78 and Sony W800
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX78Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W800
General Information
Make Panasonic Sony
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX78 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W800
Alternative name Lumix DMC-FX77 -
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2011-01-25 2014-02-13
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Venus Engine FHD -
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 20 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4000 x 3000 5152 x 3864
Highest native ISO 6400 3200
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 11 -
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-120mm (5.0x) 26-130mm (5.0x)
Maximal aperture f/2.5-5.9 f/3.2-6.4
Macro focus range 5cm -
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3.5 inch 2.7 inch
Screen resolution 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen technology TFT LCD TFT LCD display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 60 seconds 2 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/1400 seconds 1/1500 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 4.0 frames per second 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 5.60 m 3.50 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto / Flash On / Slow Synchro / Flash Off / Advanced Flash
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance 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) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, AVCHD AVI MPEG4
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 142 gr (0.31 pounds) 125 gr (0.28 pounds)
Dimensions 100 x 55 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") 97 x 55 x 21mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 images -
Battery form Battery Pack -
Battery model - NP-BN
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots 1 1
Price at release $210 $90