Panasonic LX100 II vs Sony W550: A Thorough Comparison for Serious Photographers and Enthusiasts

Choosing a camera in today's sprawling market can feel daunting, especially when the models you're considering are as fundamentally different as the Panasonic Lumix DC-LX100 II and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550. One presents a high-end compact powerhouse tailored to expressive, versatile shooting, while the other is an entry-level ultracompact designed for straightforward point-and-shoot convenience. I've spent countless hours testing both under diverse scenarios, and in this in-depth comparison, I’ll break down how these two stack up across the most important photography genres, technical specifications, and practical usability factors. Whether you’re a working pro in need of a pocketable backup or a casual snapshooter looking for simple reliability, you’ll find clear insights here to guide your decision.

Let’s dive in.

First Impressions: Size, Ergonomics, and Design

From the start, the Panasonic LX100 II and Sony W550 couldn’t be more different in terms of physical design and intent.

The Panasonic LX100 II is a hefty large-sensor compact camera with the kind of grip and control layout that hints at serious photographic capability. Despite being a "compact," it weighs close to 400 grams and feels substantial in hand. Its body dimensions (115 x 66 x 64 mm) suggest the camera invites you to hold it like a miniature DSLR, giving tactile assurance even during long shoots.

Contrast this with the Sony DSC-W550, an ultracompact camera that’s all about pocketability and simplicity. It tips the scales at just 110 grams, with a super-slim profile (94 x 56 x 19 mm). It's closer to a point-and-shoot wallet companion, barely noticeable when tucked into a jacket pocket or purse.

If you're somebody who prizes command over convenience, LX100 II’s more assertive ergonomics will be a delight, with dials and buttons ready for direct adjustments. Sony’s W550, meanwhile, caters to the "grab and go" crowd - eminently portable, but with fewer physical controls.

Seeing is Believing: Control Layout and Top-View Design

Ergonomics isn't just about size; the way a camera’s controls are arranged drastically affects ease of use in the field.

The LX100 II features dedicated dials for shutter speed, aperture, exposure compensation, and an intuitive mode dial that supports creative priorities. From experience, this means rapid manual adjustments are possible without diving into menus - huge for working photographers shooting fast-moving scenes or subtle portraits.

The Sony W550's top layout is minimal. This ultracompact offers virtually zero external manual controls: a shutter, zoom rocker, flash button, and power toggle. It demands menu and touchscreen navigation for other settings, which can feel sluggish if you're trying to capture fleeting moments or nail creative exposure.

If you prefer the tactile feedback of direct manual control, Panasonic wins hands down.

Essential Core: Sensor Technology and Image Quality

The heart of any camera's imaging potential is its sensor, and here’s where the biggest technological and performance gap lies.

The LX100 II sports a large Four Thirds-type MOS sensor measuring 17.3 x 13mm with 17 megapixels resolution. This sensor size is significantly larger than the W550’s tiny 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor (6.17 x 4.55mm at 14 megapixels). The larger sensor size typically translates into markedly better image quality - greater dynamic range, more pleasing depth of field control, and superior low-light performance.

From hands-on testing, the LX100 II reliably produces images with impressively rich color depth and excellent tonal gradation. Thanks to the Venus Engine processor, noise suppression at high ISO is effective while preserving detail, essential for portraits and landscapes shot in challenging conditions.

The Sony W550, while decent for casual daylight snapshots, shows its limitations past ISO 400 due to the smaller sensor and older CCD tech, resulting in increased noise and reduced detail retention. Its 14MP count doesn’t translate into higher-quality images given the sensor size constraints.

If image quality and creative flexibility matter to you - as they do to many enthusiasts and pros - the LX100 II’s sensor is a clear winner.

The Viewing Experience: LCD and Viewfinder

Composition and review largely depend on the display and viewfinder quality.

Panasonic equips the LX100 II with a solid 3-inch fixed touchscreen at 1240k dots resolution and a bright electronic viewfinder (EVF) boasting 2.76 million dots and 100% coverage. The EVF’s 0.7x magnification offers a professional-grade framing experience that’s crucial for sunny environments or precise manual focusing. The touchscreen aids intuitive menu navigation and focusing, speeding up operation on the fly.

The W550 has a matching 3-inch LCD but with only 230k dots resolution - notably less sharp - and no EVF at all. This makes it harder to review images in bright light or compose with the same visual clarity. No touch functionality further hampers ease of use.

So, Panasonic again takes the lead with far superior viewing aids, fostering confidence for meticulous composition.

Lens Systems and Focal Ranges - Flexibility in Frame

In-camera lens quality is a deal-maker for fixed-lens compacts.

Panasonic’s LX100 II has a fast Leica-branded zoom lens with a versatile 24-75mm equivalent focal length range and a bright maximum aperture of f/1.7-2.8. This fast aperture, especially at the wide end, contributes significantly to excellent low-light performance and beautiful background separation. The 3cm macro focusing distance also allows close-up creativity.

Sony W550’s lens ranges from 26-104mm with a maximum aperture spanning f/2.7-5.7, which is much slower and less helpful in dim conditions or for shallow depth-of-field effects. Its macro range starts at 5cm, so it’s serviceable but not outstanding for close-ups. You’ll notice more lens distortion and flare in certain shooting conditions with this lens, reflecting its consumer-grade construction.

The LX100 II’s lens system is vastly superior in both speed and optical quality, granting more expressive control whether shooting portraits, street scenes, or landscapes.

Continuous Shooting and Autofocus Performance - Capturing the Decisive Moment

Burst shooting and autofocus responsiveness are crucial for wildlife, sports, and street photographers.

The LX100 II offers up to 11 frames per second (fps) continuous shooting, coupled with a contrast-detection autofocus system with 49 focus points and face detection, continuous AF, and tracking capabilities. While lacking the phase-detection autofocus systems found on the latest mirrorless cameras, Panasonic’s implementation is still quick and reliable in typical conditions, adept at locking onto moving subjects and adjusting focus smoothly.

The Sony W550 delivers only 1 fps continuous shooting, with contrast-detection AF across 9 points but no AF tracking or face detection. This severely restricts its usability for action or wildlife photography, where rapid focus adjustments are critical.

If you enjoy shooting sports, animals, or street action, Panasonic’s autofocus system and shooting speed are far more suited to the task.

Portraits and Bokeh: Skin Tones, Depth, and Eye Detection

Portrait photographers know how demanding pleasing skin tones and background separation can be.

The LX100 II’s large sensor and fast Leica lens impart natural, creamy bokeh with smooth falloff. Its Venus Engine assists in delivering accurate, vibrant skin tones straight out of camera. Panasonic’s autofocus includes face detection, which helps maintain sharp eyes - crucial when shooting humans or pets.

The W550 lacks face detection and, due to its small sensor and slower aperture, struggles to produce the shallow depth of field that separates professional portraits from snapshots. Skin tones are serviceable under good lighting but less nuanced.

For serious portrait work - even casual family snaps - you’ll find the LX100 II a more effective and satisfying tool.

Landscapes and Weather Sealing: Durability and Dynamic Range

Outdoor photographers demand robust build quality and excellent tonal latitude.

Neither camera is weather sealed, so neither is intended to withstand heavy rain or dust. For rainy or rugged conditions, you’ll need protective covers or a weather-sealed system camera elsewhere in your kit.

However, the LX100 II’s sensor and processor combo enables higher dynamic range capture, preserving details in highlights and shadows - especially important when photographing complex landscapes with bright skies and shaded foregrounds.

Sony W550’s limited dynamic range and sensor response mean landscape shots are often less detailed or suffer blown highlights in contrasty scenes.

Wildlife and Sports: Telephoto Reach and Burst Rates

Need a camera to capture fast animals or action sport moments?

The Panasonic’s reach tops out at 75mm equivalent, not ideal for long-range wildlife shots but acceptable for closer subjects, small animals, or controlled environments. Combined with 11 fps burst shooting, it's the better tool for fast-paced photography.

The Sony’s 104mm max focal length offers more telephoto reach, but the slow aperture and 1 fps shooting speed reduce effectiveness considerably. Its autofocus is no match for quick moving subjects.

In my experience, neither is truly optimized for wildlife or sports, but Panasonic’s LX100 II gives you a fighting chance where the Sony struggles.

Street and Travel Photography: Portability Meets Versatility

Street shooting thrives on portability and discretion.

Sony W550 shines in pure pocketability, fitting easily into any outerwear pocket; it’s a fantastic little travel companion if convenience is your priority above all.

The LX100 II, although compact relative to DSLRs, is bulkier and weighs more, requiring a small bag or neck strap.

However, with its quick manual controls, fast lens, and superior image quality, the LX100 II produces much more satisfying street photos and travel memories. Battery life is decent (~340 shots), and the camera supports Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for easy image sharing, a plus for travelers.

Macro and Close-Up: Magnification and Focusing Precision

The LX100 II offers macro focusing down to 3cm, and its manual focus aids and focus peaking help achieve precision around tiny details, essential for serious macro shooters.

The W550 provides macro at 5cm, workable for casual close-ups but limiting creative macro exploration.

Night and Astro Photography: Low Light and Exposure Modes

Shooting stars or nocturnal scenes tests sensor noise and exposure control.

Panasonic’s camera supports high ISO up to 25600 and offers manual exposure modes plus long exposures. Optical stabilization assists hand-held night shots. Image quality remains clean enough for casual astro photography.

Sony’s W550 maxes out at ISO 3200 and limited shutter speeds up to 1/1600s, lacking manual mode or long exposure capabilities, making it unsuitable for night or astro photography.

Video Capabilities: Recording Quality and Usability

Video shooters will appreciate the LX100 II’s 4K UHD at 30 fps recording at 100 Mbps, with MJPEG and AVCHD options. 4K photo mode allows perfect still grabs from video sequences, a modern convenience.

Its lack of a microphone port may be limiting for serious videographers, but optical image stabilization compensates well for handheld footage.

Sony’s W550 delivers only 720p HD video at 30fps and 640x480 VGA options, far behind modern standards and without stabilization benefits.

Professional Workflow and Reliability

Professionals need RAW support, reliable builds, and smooth integration into their editing pipeline.

Only the Panasonic LX100 II offers RAW file capture, which provides essential flexibility for post-processing. Sony W550 shoots JPEG-only, restricting editorial control.

Build quality-wise, LX100 II's magnesium alloy chassis feels solid and stable but lacks full weather sealing. Battery life at ~340 shots per charge is average and manageable with spares. Wireless support eases rapid transfers during shoots.

Sony’s entry-level design offers minimal professional workflow features and less reliable performance metrics.

Connectivity, Storage, and Battery Life

LX100 II supports SD cards (including SDXC UHS-I), USB charging, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth, making wireless transfer and remote control possible.

The Sony W550, though offering HDMI and USB 2.0, lacks any wireless connectivity, relying on physical transfers. Storage options are versatile (including Memory Sticks), but overall convenience is diminished.

LX100 II’s battery life of roughly 340 shots per charge is decent given its capabilities and power demands, whereas W550’s battery-related details are sparse, though its smaller sensor likely demands less power.

The Bottom Line With Scores and Genre Recommendations

Here’s a quick visual summary of how each camera performs across typical photography genres, based on my hands-on results and testing benchmarks.

Panasonic LX100 II front Panasonic LX100 II screen back Sony W550 screen back

The Panasonic LX100 II excels across nearly every category - portrait, landscape, street, and video - though it is somewhat bulky for pure pocket carry. The Sony W550 is strictly a beginner’s convenient snapshot tool, suitable mainly for casual daylight family photos but quickly outpaced for serious creative and professional use.

Who Should Choose the Panasonic LX100 II?

If you want a versatile, high-quality compact camera that nearly replaces the need for an interchangeable lens system in a pinch, the LX100 II is a standout option. Ideal for:

• Enthusiast and professional photographers seeking a travel-friendly secondary camera
• Anyone valuing manual control, fast aperture lenses, and RAW image capture
• Portrait and street photographers who want quality bokeh and reliable autofocus
• Landscape and night photographers requiring dynamic range and long exposure capabilities
• Video creators wanting 4K footage with solid image stabilization

At around $998, it’s not cheap - but it’s a compelling, well-rounded camera that stands up to demanding shooting conditions and creative ambitions.

Who Might Find the Sony W550 Suitable?

If you’re after simplicity, portability, and low cost with minimal need for advanced features, the Sony W550 covers this ground fine. Good for:

• Casual shooters who prioritize easy point-and-shoot without fuss
• Families wanting a basic camera for bright daylight snaps
• Travellers who need the smallest footprint over image quality
• Beginners learning the basics of digital photography without overwhelming options

At just over $100, it’s accessible but realistically limited in long-term utility.

Closing Thoughts: Expensive Investment or Affordable Simplicity?

The Panasonic LX100 II and Sony W550 occupy separate ends of the camera compact spectrum. My tests and experience show that while the W550 offers nothing revolutionary, it performs adequately within its entry-level niche. The LX100 II, however, punches well above its class with a combination of excellent image quality, advanced controls, and impressive video features that will satisfy many serious photographers.

If your budget allows and you want a camera that grows with your skills and ambitions, the LX100 II is undoubtedly the smarter choice. But if portability and price triumph over creativity and technical performance, the Sony W550 serves as a no-frills option.

I hope this detailed breakdown helps you navigate these two options with more clarity. Feel free to reach out for personalized advice tailored to your specific photography goals!

Happy shooting.