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Panasonic LX100 II vs Sony A550

Portability
81
Imaging
57
Features
75
Overall
64
Panasonic Lumix DC-LX100 II front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 front
Portability
63
Imaging
54
Features
65
Overall
58

Panasonic LX100 II vs Sony A550 Key Specs

Panasonic LX100 II
(Full Review)
  • 17MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 24-75mm (F1.7-2.8) lens
  • 392g - 115 x 66 x 64mm
  • Released August 2018
  • Replaced the Panasonic LX100
Sony A550
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 200 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 632g - 137 x 104 x 84mm
  • Revealed December 2009
  • Superseded the Sony A100
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Panasonic LX100 II vs Sony A550 Overview

Following is a in-depth comparison of the Panasonic LX100 II vs Sony A550, former is a Large Sensor Compact while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by competitors Panasonic and Sony. There exists a sizable gap between the image resolutions of the LX100 II (17MP) and A550 (14MP) and the LX100 II (Four Thirds) and A550 (APS-C) boast totally different sensor dimensions.

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The LX100 II was introduced 8 years after the A550 which is quite a significant difference as far as technology is concerned. Both the cameras have different body design with the Panasonic LX100 II being a Large Sensor Compact camera and the Sony A550 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before diving into a in-depth comparison, here is a concise view of how the LX100 II grades against the A550 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic LX100 II over the Sony A550

 LX100 II A550 
RevealedAugust 2018December 2009More modern by 106 months
Screen resolution1240k922kClearer screen (+318k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Sony A550 over the Panasonic LX100 II

 A550 LX100 II 
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen

Common features in the Panasonic LX100 II and Sony A550

 LX100 II A550 
Manual focus Dial accurate focus
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen sizing
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen

Panasonic LX100 II vs Sony A550 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is looking to carry around your camera, you need to factor its weight and proportions. The Panasonic LX100 II has got outside dimensions of 115mm x 66mm x 64mm (4.5" x 2.6" x 2.5") along with a weight of 392 grams (0.86 lbs) whilst the Sony A550 has measurements of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") accompanied by a weight of 632 grams (1.39 lbs).

Look at the Panasonic LX100 II vs Sony A550 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are utilising at that time. Below is a front view sizing comparison of the LX100 II vs the A550.

Panasonic LX100 II vs Sony A550 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the LX100 II and A550 is 81 and 63 respectively.

Panasonic LX100 II vs Sony A550 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic LX100 II vs Sony A550 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, its tough to see the contrast between sensor sizes merely by reading specs. The image below might give you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the LX100 II and A550.

As you can plainly see, each of these cameras have different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The LX100 II having a tinier sensor will make getting shallow depth of field more difficult and the Panasonic LX100 II will deliver extra detail using its extra 3 Megapixels. Higher resolution will allow you to crop shots a bit more aggressively. The more modern LX100 II is going to have a benefit with regard to sensor technology.

Panasonic LX100 II vs Sony A550 sensor size comparison

Panasonic LX100 II vs Sony A550 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic LX100 II vs Sony A550 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic LX100 II Portrait photography features
Sony A550 Portrait photography features
74
manual focus
resolution is good (17MP)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
comes with face detect focusing
delivers RAW files
72
manual focus
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
features face detect focusing
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Panasonic LX100 II Street photography advice
Sony A550 Street photography advice
77
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
offers focus via touch
above average high ISO (25,600)
screen is fixed
74
screen tilts
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic LX100 II
Sports photography with Sony A550
71
quiet mode (1/16,000s)
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (17MP)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
comes with tracking focus
good battery life (340 shots)
no phase detect AF
67
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (14MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect AF
terrible battery pack (480 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic LX100 II Travel photography factors
Sony A550 Travel photography factors
78
good battery life (340 per charge)
supports bluetooth
offers focus via touch
resolution is good (17 megapixels)
decently wide (24mm)
fast max aperture (f1.7)
does not have a selfie friendly display
52
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
lack of Timelapse function
terrible battery pack (480 shots)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic LX100 II Landscape photography details
Sony A550 Landscape photography details
76
manual focus
decently wide (24mm)
fast max aperture (f1.7)
pretty good screen size (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (17 megapixels)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
above average high ISO (25,600)
delivers RAW files
good battery life (340 shots)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
66
manual focus
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (14MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
terrible battery pack (480 CIPA)
lack of Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic LX100 II
Vlogging with Sony A550
36
decently wide (24mm)
fast max aperture (f1.7)
screen is touchscreen
image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detect focusing
high res video (3840 x 2160 resolution)
does not have a selfie friendly display
missing microphone socket
9
no video
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Panasonic LX100 II vs Sony A550 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic LX100 II and Sony A550
 Panasonic Lumix DC-LX100 IISony Alpha DSLR-A550
General Information
Make Panasonic Sony
Model type Panasonic Lumix DC-LX100 II Sony Alpha DSLR-A550
Type Large Sensor Compact Entry-Level DSLR
Released 2018-08-22 2009-12-09
Physical type Large Sensor Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Venus Engine Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 17 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4736 x 3552 4592 x 3056
Maximum native ISO 25600 12800
Min native ISO 200 200
RAW data
Min enhanced ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 49 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens zoom range 24-75mm (3.1x) -
Largest aperture f/1.7-2.8 -
Macro focusing distance 3cm -
Available lenses - 143
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen size 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 1,240 thousand dots 922 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder resolution 2,760 thousand dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100% 95%
Viewfinder magnification 0.7x 0.53x
Features
Min shutter speed 1800 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Max silent shutter speed 1/16000 secs -
Continuous shutter rate 11.0 frames/s 7.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 7.00 m (with included external flash at ISO 100) 12.00 m
Flash modes no built-in flash Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize - 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 100 Mbps, MP4, H.264, AAC -
Maximum video resolution 3840x2160 None
Video data format MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264 -
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB DMW-BLE9 lithium-ion battery & USB charger USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 392 gr (0.86 pounds) 632 gr (1.39 pounds)
Physical dimensions 115 x 66 x 64mm (4.5" x 2.6" x 2.5") 137 x 104 x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 66
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 21.9
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 11.8
DXO Low light rating not tested 807
Other
Battery life 340 pictures 480 pictures
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I supported) SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots One One
Cost at release $998 $749