• 1/2.33 inch 28.2mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 29.00mm - 145.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  •  

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Differences

Panasonic DMC-FS25S advantages over Sony NEX-F3

  • Less expensive
    $250 vs $600 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Thinner
    21 mm vs 41 mm
    Thinner
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots

Sony NEX-F3 advantages over Panasonic DMC-FS25S

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1/2.33 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.78 vs 1.53 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Fast startup
    ~1.50 vs 2.2 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 470 vs 330 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More dots on screen
    922k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Less shutter lag
    0.31 vs 0.90 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More pixels
    16.1 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    5.5 fps vs 1.7 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    12 vs 3 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    16000 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

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Review Excerpt

  • Great image quality; Above-average battery life for a mirrorless camera; Makes light work of shooting self-portraits; Very versatile video mode for a camera of this class.

  • Built-in flash is weak and uneven; Grip feels cramped due to low shutter button position; Bundled kit lens turns in a mediocre performance, and body isn't sold without the lens.

The Competition

Compared to Panasonic DMC-FS15

Panasonic DMC-FS25S
Panasonic DMC-FS15
  • $175
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • $200
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
Sony NEX-F3
Panasonic DMC-FS15
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $200
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Sony DSC-W290

Panasonic DMC-FS25S
Sony DSC-W290
  • $175
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Longer exposure
  • Higher extended ISO
  • $249
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Manual focus
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
Sony NEX-F3
Sony DSC-W290
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $249
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Samsung SL820

Panasonic DMC-FS25S
Samsung SL820
  • $175
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Longer exposure
  • Higher extended ISO
  • $199
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • HDMI out
  • Shoots 60p video
Sony NEX-F3
Samsung SL820
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $199
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Sony NEX-5R

Panasonic DMC-FS25S
Sony NEX-5R
  • $175
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Sony NEX-F3
Sony NEX-5R
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Touchscreen

Compared to Sony NEX-6

Panasonic DMC-FS25S
Sony NEX-6
  • $175
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Sony NEX-F3
Sony NEX-6
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder
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