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Panasonic FH1 vs Sony A55

Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
17
Overall
27
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH1 front
 
Sony SLT-A55 front
Portability
67
Imaging
56
Features
80
Overall
65

Panasonic FH1 vs Sony A55 Key Specs

Panasonic FH1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F2.8-6.9) lens
  • 163g - 98 x 55 x 23mm
  • Introduced January 2010
  • Also Known as Lumix DMC-FS10
Sony A55
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Raise to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 500g - 124 x 92 x 85mm
  • Released August 2010
  • Replacement is Sony A57
Photography Glossary

Panasonic FH1 vs Sony A55 Overview

Here, we will be matching up the Panasonic FH1 and Sony A55, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by manufacturers Panasonic and Sony. There is a big difference among the sensor resolutions of the FH1 (12MP) and A55 (16MP) and the FH1 (1/2.3") and A55 (APS-C) posses totally different sensor measurements.

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The FH1 was introduced 7 months prior to the A55 which means that they are of a similar generation. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic FH1 being a Compact camera and the Sony A55 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before we go straight to a step-by-step comparison, here is a concise synopsis of how the FH1 matches up versus the A55 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FH1 over the Sony A55

 FH1 A55 

Reasons to pick Sony A55 over the Panasonic FH1

 A55 FH1 
ReleasedAugust 2010January 2010More modern by 7 months
Manually focus Very accurate focus
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution921k230kCrisper screen (+691k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Common features in the Panasonic FH1 and Sony A55

 FH1 A55 
Touch screen Neither has Touch screen

Panasonic FH1 vs Sony A55 Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to carry around your camera often, you should factor its weight and volume. The Panasonic FH1 has physical dimensions of 98mm x 55mm x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") and a weight of 163 grams (0.36 lbs) and the Sony A55 has sizing of 124mm x 92mm x 85mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 3.3") with a weight of 500 grams (1.10 lbs).

Take a look at the Panasonic FH1 and Sony A55 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you use at the time. Here is a front view sizing comparison of the FH1 against the A55.

Panasonic FH1 vs Sony A55 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the FH1 and A55 is 95 and 67 respectively.

Panasonic FH1 vs Sony A55 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FH1 vs Sony A55 Sensor Comparison

Often, it can be hard to envision the gap in sensor sizes just by seeing specifications. The pic below will help offer you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the FH1 and A55.

To sum up, each of the cameras come with different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The FH1 with its smaller sensor will make shooting bokeh tougher and the Sony A55 will provide more detail using its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop shots a good deal more aggressively. The more aged FH1 will be behind with regard to sensor technology.

Panasonic FH1 vs Sony A55 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FH1 vs Sony A55 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FH1 vs Sony A55 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FH1 Portrait photography features
Sony A55 Portrait photography features
21
focusing manually not possible
lack of manual exposure
no external flash support
low resolution (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW files
73
you can focus manually
MP count good (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
includes face detect autofocus
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic FH1
Street photography with Sony A55
57
image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW files
77
screen can move to multiple angles
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FH1 Sports photography highlights
Sony A55 Sports photography highlights
25
image stabilization (Optical)
slow fps (6.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
low resolution (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
68
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports phase detect autofocus
bad battery power (380 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FH1 Travel photography features
Sony A55 Travel photography features
58
has built in flash
quite wide (28mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
low resolution (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
62
MP count good (16MP)
built-in flash
screen is selfie friendly
does not have Time Lapse mode
bad battery power (380 shots)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FH1 Landscape photography advice
Sony A55 Landscape photography advice
32
quite wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
tiny screen (2.7")
lack of manual exposure
low resolution (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW files
doesn't have Timelapse function
67
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
good sized screen (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
bad battery power (380 CIPA)
does not have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FH1 Vlogging information
Sony A55 Vlogging information
29
quite wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
display is not selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have microphone socket
78
screen is selfie friendly
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detect autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
comes with mic port
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Panasonic FH1 vs Sony A55 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FH1 and Sony A55
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH1Sony SLT-A55
General Information
Company Panasonic Sony
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH1 Sony SLT-A55
Also called as Lumix DMC-FS10 -
Class Small Sensor Compact Entry-Level DSLR
Introduced 2010-01-06 2010-08-24
Body design Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor - Bionz
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4000 x 3000 4912 x 3264
Highest native ISO 6400 12800
Highest boosted ISO - 25600
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 9 15
Cross type focus points - 3
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens zoom range 28-140mm (5.0x) -
Maximum aperture f/2.8-6.9 -
Macro focusing range 5cm -
Available lenses - 143
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1.5
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Display sizing 2.7 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 230k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,150k dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.73x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 6.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 6.80 m 10.00 m (@ ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Highest flash sync - 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60, 29.97 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 640 x 424 (29.97 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 163g (0.36 lbs) 500g (1.10 lbs)
Physical dimensions 98 x 55 x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") 124 x 92 x 85mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 73
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.0
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.4
DXO Low light rating not tested 816
Other
Battery life - 380 pictures
Battery form - Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-FW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots One One
Retail pricing $150 $800