Sony Alpha DSLR-A900 vs Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ200

In this comparison, we will evaluate the Sony Alpha DSLR-A900 and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ200, highlighting the advantages of each over the other, discussing their pros and cons, shared strengths and weaknesses, and providing a rating based on their available features and specifications to assist you in choosing the one that best suits your needs.

Sony Alpha DSLR-A900 was introduced in October 2008 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ200 was introduced in July 2012. Let us first list highlights of the models.

Now that we've looked at the most essential specifications and gained a basic understanding of these cameras, we can delve into more details and see the differences between them.

This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Sony Alpha DSLR-A900 over Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ200.

This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ200 over Sony Alpha DSLR-A900.

We already listed pros and cons of each model. However, you may also find useful to look at their common strengths and weaknesses shown side-by-side.

Screen

Sony Alpha DSLR-A900 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ200 have 3.0" screens with 922k dot and 460k dot resolutions respectively. Sony Alpha DSLR-A900 has a Fixed screen Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ200 has a Fully Articulated screen which makes it selfie and vlogger friendly and generally very useful for video shooting.

Viewfinder

Sony Alpha DSLR-A900 has a built-in Optical (pentaprism) viewfinderPanasonic Lumix DMC-FZ200 has a built-in Electronic viewfinder with 1,312k dot resolution. They both have 100% coverage.

Sony Alpha DSLR-A900 features a 24.6 megapixel Full Frame CMOS sensor with dimensions of 35.9 x 24 mm and a total area of 861.6 mm². Its native ISO range is 100 - 6,400. Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ200 features a 12.1 megapixel 1/2.3-inch BSI-CMOS sensor with dimensions of 6.17 x 4.55 mm and a total area of 20.7 mm². Its native ISO range is 100 - 3,200 and expands to 100 - 6,400 in boosted mode.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ200 has BSI-CMOS sensor, short for Backside Illuminated Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor sensor. In traditional CMOS sensors, the wiring and circuitry are located on the front side of the sensor, which can block some of the incoming light. BSI technology flips this design by placing the photosensitive elements (pixels) on the backside of the sensor, allowing more light to reach the pixels. This significantly enhances light sensitivity and improves low-light performance. BSI-CMOS sensors are particularly effective in low-light conditions, as they can capture more light, resulting in brighter and less noisy images. This makes them well-suited for indoor and night photography. BSI-CMOS sensors deliver a higher SNR and reduced cross-talk.

Sony Alpha DSLR-A900 is equipped with BIONZ processor and can take pictures up to 6048 x 4032 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 4400 x 2936, 4400 x 2936, 3024 x 2016, 6048 x 3408, 4400 x 2472, 3024 x 1704, 3924 x 2656, 2896 x 1928, 1984 x 1320 with 3:2, 16:9 aspect ratios. Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ200 is equipped with Venus Engine VII FHD processor and can take pictures up to 4000 x 3000 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 4000 x 3000, 4000 x 2672, 4000 x 2248, 2992 x 2992, 2816 x 2112, 2816 x 1880, 2816 x 1584, 2112 x 2112, 2048 x 1536, 2048 x 1360, 1920 x 1080, 1600 x 1200, 1600 x 1064, 1600 x 904, 1504 x 1504 with 1:1, 4:3, 3:2, 16:9 aspect ratios.

Image Stabilization

The cameras have a built-in image stabilization. On Sony Alpha DSLR-A900 it means that you are still getting vibration reduction when it is paired with non-image stabilizied lenses. It also works with lenses with optical image stabilization and in combination can achieve even better compensation.

USB Inputs and HDMI Outputs

Both models have USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) inputs for data transfer. Sony Alpha DSLR-A900 has a Mini Type C HDMI and Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ200 has a Mini HDMI connector for video signal output.

Battery

Sony Alpha DSLR-A900 comes with NP-FM500H battery pack with battery life of 880 shots.

External Storage Slots

Sony Alpha DSLR-A900 has two card slots - one for Compact Flash (Type I or II), Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo and one for . Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ200 has a single SD/SDHC/SDXC card slot.

Shutter

Sony Alpha DSLR-A900 has Electronically controlled Vertical-traverse Carbon Fiber Focal-plane shutter. Shutter speed can go up to 1/8000 sec on Sony Alpha DSLR-A900, and up to 1/4000 sec on Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ200. Sony Alpha DSLR-A900 can shoot continuously up to 5.0 fps. Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ200 can shoot continuously up to 12.0 fps.

Flash

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ200 has a built-in flash with maximum range of 13.50 m and also accepts external flash which can be connected via Shoe Mount. Sony Alpha DSLR-A900 has no built-in flash but an external flash may be connected via Proprietary Hot Shoe (compatible w/ Sony & Minolta flashes). The fastest flash synchronization speed is 1/250 sec on Sony Alpha DSLR-A900 and 1/4000 sec on Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ200.

Sony Alpha DSLR-A900 body has dimensions of 156 x 117 x 82 mm (6.14 x 4.61 x 3.23") and Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ200 body has dimensions of 125 x 87 x 110 mm (4.92 x 3.43 x 4.33"). Sony Alpha DSLR-A900 weighs 895 g (1.97 lb / 31.57 oz) and Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ200 weighs 588 g (1.30 lb / 20.74 oz).

Sony Alpha DSLR-A900

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ200

156 mm

117 mm

125 mm

87 mm

117 mm

87 mm

82 mm

110 mm