Panasonic LF1 vs Sony W230
92 Imaging
37 Features
55 Overall
44


95 Imaging
34 Features
25 Overall
30
Panasonic LF1 vs Sony W230 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 80 - 6400 (Raise to 12800)
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 28-200mm (F2.0-5.9) lens
- 192g - 103 x 62 x 28mm
- Revealed November 2013
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 80 - 3200
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 640 x 480 video
- 30-120mm (F2.8-5.8) lens
- 156g - 95 x 57 x 22mm
- Announced February 2009

Panasonic LF1 vs Sony W230 Overview
Here, we are evaluating the Panasonic LF1 versus Sony W230, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by competitors Panasonic and Sony. The resolution of the LF1 (12MP) and the W230 (12MP) is very well matched but the LF1 (1/1.7") and W230 (1/2.3") offer different sensor size.

The LF1 was brought out 4 years later than the W230 and that is quite a big difference as far as technology is concerned. Both of these cameras feature the same body design (Compact).
Before getting into a step-by-step comparison, here is a simple view of how the LF1 scores vs the W230 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Panasonic LF1 vs Sony W230 Gallery
Here is a sample of the gallery pics for Panasonic Lumix DMC-LF1 & Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230. The entire galleries are provided at Panasonic LF1 Gallery & Sony W230 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Panasonic LF1 over the Sony W230
LF1 | W230 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | November 2013 | ![]() | February 2009 | Fresher by 59 months |
Display resolution | 920k | ![]() | 230k | Crisper display (+690k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sony W230 over the Panasonic LF1
W230 | LF1 |
---|
Common features in the Panasonic LF1 and Sony W230
LF1 | W230 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Very exact focusing | ||
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display size | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Same display size |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither has selfie screen | ||
Touch display | ![]() | Neither has Touch display |
Panasonic LF1 vs Sony W230 Physical Comparison
In case you're looking to carry your camera often, you'll have to factor in its weight and volume. The Panasonic LF1 has external measurements of 103mm x 62mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 192 grams (0.42 lbs) whilst the Sony W230 has sizing of 95mm x 57mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") and a weight of 156 grams (0.34 lbs).
Look at the Panasonic LF1 versus Sony W230 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into account, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you use at that moment. Here is a front view measurements comparison of the LF1 vs the W230.

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the LF1 and W230 is 92 and 95 respectively.

Panasonic LF1 vs Sony W230 Sensor Comparison
Sometimes, it is very difficult to picture the contrast between sensor sizing only by checking technical specs. The graphic here might offer you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the LF1 and W230.
As you can tell, each of these cameras feature the identical megapixels but different sensor sizing. The LF1 contains the larger sensor which is going to make achieving shallower depth of field simpler. The younger LF1 should have a benefit when it comes to sensor technology.

Panasonic LF1 vs Sony W230 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic LF1 vs Sony W230 Specifications
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LF1 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Panasonic | Sony |
Model | Panasonic Lumix DMC-LF1 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230 |
Class | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Compact |
Revealed | 2013-11-26 | 2009-02-17 |
Body design | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Sensor type | CMOS | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/1.7" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor measurements | 7.44 x 5.58mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
Sensor surface area | 41.5mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12 megapixel | 12 megapixel |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Max resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 4000 x 3000 |
Max native ISO | 6400 | 3200 |
Max enhanced ISO | 12800 | - |
Lowest native ISO | 80 | 80 |
RAW images | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detect focus | ||
Contract detect focus | ||
Phase detect focus | ||
Number of focus points | 23 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 28-200mm (7.1x) | 30-120mm (4.0x) |
Maximum aperture | f/2.0-5.9 | f/2.8-5.8 |
Macro focus distance | 3cm | 4cm |
Crop factor | 4.8 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Range of display | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display sizing | 3 inches | 3 inches |
Resolution of display | 920 thousand dot | 230 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch functionality | ||
Display tech | TFT Color LCD | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Electronic | None |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 60 seconds | 1 seconds |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/4000 seconds | 1/1600 seconds |
Continuous shutter speed | 10.0 frames per second | 2.0 frames per second |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash range | 7.00 m | 3.90 m |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (60, 50, 30, 25 fps), 1280 x 720p (60, 50, 30, 25 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25 fps) | 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
Max video resolution | 1920x1080 | 640x480 |
Video format | MPEG-4, AVCHD | Motion JPEG |
Microphone input | ||
Headphone input | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Built-In | 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 | 192 gr (0.42 lbs) | 156 gr (0.34 lbs) |
Physical dimensions | 103 x 62 x 28mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.1") | 95 x 57 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall score | 52 | not tested |
DXO Color Depth score | 20.8 | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range score | 11.6 | not tested |
DXO Low light score | 211 | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery life | 250 pictures | - |
Battery format | Battery Pack | - |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Storage media | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal | Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal |
Storage slots | 1 | 1 |
Cost at release | $500 | $180 |