• 1/2.33 inch 28.2mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 125.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 10.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 3200

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Differences

Panasonic DMC-FX580S advantages over Sony DSLR-A230

  • Less expensive
    $400 vs $549 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Thinner
    21 mm vs 67 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    167g vs 725g
    Lighter weight
  • More pixels
    12.1 vs 10.2 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Higher extended ISO
    6400 vs 3200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Sony DSLR-A230 advantages over Panasonic DMC-FX580S

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1/2.33 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 6.12 vs 1.53 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 510 vs 350 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
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • 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
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • 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

The Competition

Compared to Panasonic DMC-FX48S

Panasonic DMC-FX580S
Panasonic DMC-FX48S
  • $303
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • $259
  • 1/2.33 inch

Compare Panasonic DMC-FX580S vs Panasonic DMC-FX48S

Sony DSLR-A230
Panasonic DMC-FX48S
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $259
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner

Compare Sony DSLR-A230 vs Panasonic DMC-FX48S

Compared to Canon SD960 IS

Panasonic DMC-FX580S
Canon SD960 IS
  • $303
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Wider angle lens
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Manual focus

Compare Panasonic DMC-FX580S vs Canon SD960 IS

Sony DSLR-A230
Canon SD960 IS
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner

Compare Sony DSLR-A230 vs Canon SD960 IS

Compared to Sony DSLR-A330

Panasonic DMC-FX580S
Sony DSLR-A330
  • $303
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner
  • $530
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Panasonic DMC-FX580S vs Sony DSLR-A330

Sony DSLR-A230
Sony DSLR-A330
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • More viewfinder magnification
  • $530
  • APS-C
  • Tiltable Screen

Compare Sony DSLR-A230 vs Sony DSLR-A330

Compared to Nikon D3000

Panasonic DMC-FX580S
Nikon D3000
  • $303
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $450
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Panasonic DMC-FX580S vs Nikon D3000

Sony DSLR-A230
Nikon D3000
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • HDMI out
  • $450
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Faster JPEG shooting

Compare Sony DSLR-A230 vs Nikon D3000

Compared to Canon SD980 IS

Panasonic DMC-FX580S
Canon SD980 IS
  • $303
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Longer exposure
  • $249
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • HDMI out

Compare Panasonic DMC-FX580S vs Canon SD980 IS

Sony DSLR-A230
Canon SD980 IS
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $249
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner

Compare Sony DSLR-A230 vs Canon SD980 IS

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