• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 14.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 12,800
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 600.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Sony A33 advantages over Panasonic FZ200

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.16 vs 1.54 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Fast startup
    ~0.80 vs 2.4 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Better color depth
    22.8 vs 19.1 bits
    Capture richer, more accurate colors
  • Higher effective ISO
    591 vs 114 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • More dynamic range
    12.6 vs 10.8 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • Thinner
    84 mm vs 110 mm
    Thinner
  • More dots on screen
    922k vs 461k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.73x vs 0.46x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • More pixels
    14.2 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Panasonic FZ200 advantages over Sony A33

  • Less expensive
    $599 vs $750 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 540 vs 270 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/4000 vs 1/160 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    12.1 fps vs 7.1 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • In-camera panoramas
    Both provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • RAW file ability
    Both provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • External Mic Jack
    Both provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • 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
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

Buy From

Review Excerpt

  • Max aperture f/2.8 across full 24x optical zoom range of Leica DC Vario-Elmarit-branded lens; Relatively sharp and detailed images for a superzoom camera; Full-res burst shooting at 12 frames per second; Advanced photographic capabilities (manual focusing/exposure controls, RAW image capture, etc.); Full HD video recording up to 60p.

  • Control scheme and menu layout frustrating to use, especially the over-reliance on the rear dial; Higher ISOs produce smudged and blurred images as noise reduction efforts increase; Tendency to clip highlights; EVF doesn't switch on automatically when you look through it.

The Competition

Compared to Nikon D3100

Sony A33
Nikon D3100
  • $540
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
Panasonic FZ200
Nikon D3100
  • $890
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Sony A55

Sony A33
Sony A55
  • $540
  • APS-C
  • $734
  • APS-C
  • Higher effective ISO
  • Built-in GPS
Panasonic FZ200
Sony A55
  • $890
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $734
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Sony A35

Sony A33
Sony A35
  • $540
  • APS-C
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Faster JPEG shooting
  • $567
  • APS-C
  • Higher effective ISO
  • Longer stills battery life
Panasonic FZ200
Sony A35
  • $890
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $567
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Panasonic FZ150

Sony A33
Panasonic FZ150
  • $540
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $498
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life
Panasonic FZ200
Panasonic FZ150
  • $890
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Slower slow-motion
  • $498
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Higher effective ISO

Compared to Leica V-LUX 4

Sony A33
Leica V-LUX 4
  • $540
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $1300
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Longer stills battery life
Panasonic FZ200
Leica V-LUX 4
  • $890
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $1300
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Headphone jack
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