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Panasonic FH2 vs Sony W550

Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
33
Overall
35
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH2 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550 front
Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
28
Overall
33

Panasonic FH2 vs Sony W550 Key Specs

Panasonic FH2
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-112mm (F3.1-6.5) lens
  • 121g - 94 x 54 x 19mm
  • Announced January 2011
  • Also referred to as Lumix DMC-FS16
Sony W550
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-104mm (F2.7-5.7) lens
  • 110g - 94 x 56 x 19mm
  • Released July 2011
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Panasonic FH2 vs Sony W550 Overview

In this article, we will be comparing the Panasonic FH2 versus Sony W550, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Ultracompact by manufacturers Panasonic and Sony. The image resolution of the FH2 (14MP) and the W550 (14MP) is pretty close and they possess the same exact sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The FH2 was announced 6 months earlier than the W550 so they are of a similar generation. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic FH2 being a Compact camera and the Sony W550 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before getting in to a complete comparison, below is a short introduction of how the FH2 grades versus the W550 for portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FH2 over the Sony W550

 FH2 W550 

Reasons to pick Sony W550 over the Panasonic FH2

 W550 FH2 
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")

Common features in the Panasonic FH2 and Sony W550

 FH2 W550 
ReleasedJanuary 2011July 2011Same generation
Manually focus Lack of manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kSame screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch screen No Touch screen

Panasonic FH2 vs Sony W550 Physical Comparison

When you are intending to carry around your camera regularly, you will want to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic FH2 offers physical measurements of 94mm x 54mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.7") and a weight of 121 grams (0.27 lbs) and the Sony W550 has dimensions of 94mm x 56mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7") accompanied by a weight of 110 grams (0.24 lbs).

Check out the Panasonic FH2 versus Sony W550 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are working with at that moment. Underneath is the front view dimensions comparison of the FH2 versus the W550.

Panasonic FH2 vs Sony W550 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the FH2 and W550 is 96 and 96 respectively.

Panasonic FH2 vs Sony W550 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FH2 vs Sony W550 Sensor Comparison

Typically, its tough to visualise the difference in sensor sizes merely by viewing technical specs. The image underneath will provide you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the FH2 and W550.

As you have seen, the two cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing and the identical megapixels so you should expect comparable quality of photos but you need to consider the production date of the cameras into account.

Panasonic FH2 vs Sony W550 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FH2 vs Sony W550 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FH2 vs Sony W550 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FH2 Portrait photography info
Sony W550 Portrait photography info
33
decent MP (14 megapixels)
offers face detection focus
lack of manual focus
no manual control
no external flash support
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
28
decent MP (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
no manual mode
can't use external flash
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FH2 Street photography factors
Sony W550 Street photography factors
67
has image stabilization (Optical)
has touch to focus
lighter than competition in class (121 grams)
screen does not articulate
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
57
image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FH2 Sports photography details
Sony W550 Sports photography details
43
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (14MP)
offers tracking autofocus
better than average battery power (270 CIPA)
continuous shooting slow (4.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
35
image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (14 megapixels)
max frames per second low (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic FH2
Travel photography with Sony W550
72
better than average battery power (270 CIPA)
lighter than competition in class (121 grams)
has touch to focus
decent MP (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (28mm)
no Timelapse function
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
65
decent MP (14MP)
has built in flash
rather wide (26mm)
lack of Time Lapse mode
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f2.7)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FH2 Landscape photography info
Sony W550 Landscape photography info
41
reasonably wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (14MP)
better than average battery power (270 shots)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
no manual control
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
no Timelapse function
42
rather wide (26mm)
nice screen size (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.7)
no manual mode
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
lack of Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FH2 Vlogging advice
Sony W550 Vlogging advice
32
reasonably wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection focus
lighter than competition in class (121g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
no external microphone socket
29
rather wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish max aperture (f2.7)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of mic port
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Panasonic FH2 vs Sony W550 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FH2 and Sony W550
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH2Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550
General Information
Company Panasonic Sony
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH2 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550
Also referred to as Lumix DMC-FS16 -
Category Small Sensor Compact Ultracompact
Announced 2011-01-05 2011-07-24
Body design Compact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Venus Engine IV BIONZ
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Full resolution 4320 x 3240 4320 x 3240
Max native ISO 6400 3200
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-112mm (4.0x) 26-104mm (4.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.1-6.5 f/2.7-5.7
Macro focus range 5cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.7 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen technology - Clear Photo LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 seconds 2 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 4.0 frames per sec 1.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 3.30 m 3.80 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 121g (0.27 lb) 110g (0.24 lb)
Dimensions 94 x 54 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.7") 94 x 56 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 270 photos -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model - NP-BN1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots One -
Launch pricing $149 $119