Panasonic Lumix DMC FP1 vs Sony Cybershot DSC W310 Comparison
Panasonic Lumix DMC FP1
Sony Cybershot DSC W310
The Panasonic Lumix DMC FP1 and the Sony Cybershot DSC W310 are aimed at anyone who is looking for a relatively inexpensive pocket sized digital camera. They are roughly the same size and are available for around the same price.
In my tests the Panasonic Lumix DMC FP1 performed very well for a camera in this price range whereas the Sony Cybershot DSC W310 found the going that much harder.
Basic Specification
Panasonic Lumix DMC FP1
12 megapixels
4x Optical Zoom
2.7 inch LCD screen
Macro Focus: 10cm
No Wide Angle Lens
High Definition Movies
Dimensions: 98.6 x 58.9 x 18.6 mm
Weight: 141g
Sony Cybershot DSC W310
12 megapixels
4x optical zoom
2.7 inch LCD screen
Macro Focus 5cm
Wide Angle Lens
Standard Definition Movies
Dimensions: 5.3 x 55 18.7mm
Weight: 137g
Features
There is not a great deal to choose between the features offered by these two cameras. They both have the same number of megapixels and both offer 4x optical zoom. The main differences are that the Lumix DMC FP1 can shoot High Definition movies while Sony have equipped the Cybershot DSC W310 with a wide angle lens. This can come in handy when you are trying to squeeze wider scenes into a photo.
Design
The two cameras look a little different. This is mainly due to the fact Panasonic has added a sliding lens cover to the Lumix DMC FP1. This helps to give this camera a more distinctive look. You have a choice when it comes to colours with the Lumix DMC FP1 being available in blue, black, orange and pink while the Cybershot DSC W310 is available in black, silver and pink.
These cameras are small and lightweight and you should have no problem slipping them into a pocket.
Start Up and Shutter Lag
Well done Panasonic. The Lumix DMC FP1 competes very well with more expensive cameras when it comes to shutter lag delay. The Cybershot DSC W310 struggles a bit in this area and is on the slow side.
Power Supply
Both cameras run on lithium ion batteries. Sony and Panasonic supply a battery and all you need to recharge it with the cameras as standard.
Picture Quality
This is an area where I found a big difference between the two cameras. I found it difficult to produce a series of sharp images with the Cybershot DSC W310. The Lumix DMC FP1 on the other hand performed very well for a camera in this price bracket. The difference in quality will be accentuated if you are planning to produce prints that are larger than snapshot size. Taking price into account the Lumix DMC FP1 also did better than expected when shooting indoors. As well as the sharpness of the photos I also liked the vivid colours.
It is difficult to say why I found it hard to take good shots with the Cybershot DSC W310. In the past I have found that digital cameras with wide angle lenses can struggle to match the picture quality of a lens with a more standard focal length. This is especially true at the cheaper end of the market.
Ease of Use
There is not a great deal of difference when it comes to ease of use. I found both cameras quite straightforward. They can both be used in fully automatic mode and it should not take you long before you work out where to change key settings.
Verdict
For my money there is a clear winner in this comparison. I think the Panasonic Lumix DMC FP1 is a step or two ahead of the Cybershot DSC W310. It offers very good value for money at a little over £100 when compared with other pocket cameras in this price range.
Product Shots
Front View
Panasonic Lumix DMC FP1
Sony Cybershot DSC W310
Back View
Panasonic Lumix DMC FP1
Sony Cybershot DSC W310
Top View
Panasonic Lumix DMC FP1
Sony Cybershot DSC W310
