Panasonic FH3 vs Sony A550
94 Imaging
36 Features
21 Overall
30
63 Imaging
54 Features
65 Overall
58
Panasonic FH3 vs Sony A550 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 6400
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 28-140mm (F2.8-6.9) lens
- 165g - 98 x 55 x 24mm
- Announced January 2010
- Additionally referred to as Lumix DMC-FS11
(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
- Announced December 2009
- Earlier Model is Sony A100
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month Panasonic FH3 vs Sony A550 Overview
Below, we will be reviewing the Panasonic FH3 vs Sony A550, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by manufacturers Panasonic and Sony. The image resolution of the FH3 (14MP) and the A550 (14MP) is relatively comparable but the FH3 (1/2.3") and A550 (APS-C) feature different sensor size.
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD CardsThe FH3 was introduced around the same time to the A550 and they are both of a similar age. Both of these cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic FH3 being a Compact camera and the Sony A550 being a Compact SLR camera.
Before getting in to a comprehensive comparison, below is a simple highlight of how the FH3 scores against the A550 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.
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This is a preview of the gallery photos for Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH3 & Sony Alpha DSLR-A550. The whole galleries are provided at Panasonic FH3 Gallery & Sony A550 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Panasonic FH3 over the Sony A550
| FH3 | A550 |
|---|
Reasons to pick Sony A550 over the Panasonic FH3
| A550 | FH3 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manually focus |  | More precise focus | ||
| Screen type | Tilting |  | Fixed | Tilting screen |
| Screen dimension | 3" |  | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
| Screen resolution | 922k |  | 230k | Crisper screen (+692k dot) |
Common features in the Panasonic FH3 and Sony A550
| FH3 | A550 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Announced | January 2010 |  | December 2009 | Same age |
| Selfie screen |  | Neither contains selfie screen | ||
| Touch screen |  | No Touch screen |
Panasonic FH3 vs Sony A550 Physical Comparison
If you are intending to lug around your camera frequently, you are going to need to factor in its weight and size. The Panasonic FH3 has got outside dimensions of 98mm x 55mm x 24mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 165 grams (0.36 lbs) and the Sony A550 has specifications of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") having a weight of 632 grams (1.39 lbs).
Take a look at the Panasonic FH3 vs Sony A550 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you have chosen at the time. Underneath is the front view measurement comparison of the FH3 and the A550.
Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the FH3 and A550 is 94 and 63 respectively.
Panasonic FH3 vs Sony A550 Sensor Comparison
More often than not, its hard to visualize the difference in sensor measurements purely by seeing technical specs. The photograph here will help give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the FH3 and A550.
As you have seen, both cameras posses the exact same megapixel count albeit different sensor measurements. The FH3 offers the smaller sensor which will make obtaining shallower DOF harder.
Panasonic FH3 vs Sony A550 Screen and ViewFinder
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Panasonic FH3 vs Sony A550 Specifications
| Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH3 | Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Company | Panasonic | Sony |
| Model | Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH3 | Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 |
| Otherwise known as | Lumix DMC-FS11 | - |
| Category | Small Sensor Compact | Entry-Level DSLR |
| Announced | 2010-01-06 | 2009-12-09 |
| Physical type | Compact | Compact SLR |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Powered by | - | Bionz |
| Sensor type | CCD | CMOS |
| Sensor size | 1/2.3" | APS-C |
| Sensor dimensions | 6.08 x 4.56mm | 23.4 x 15.6mm |
| Sensor area | 27.7mm² | 365.0mm² |
| Sensor resolution | 14 megapixels | 14 megapixels |
| Anti aliasing filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
| Max resolution | 4320 x 3240 | 4592 x 3056 |
| Max native ISO | 6400 | 12800 |
| Lowest native ISO | 80 | 200 |
| RAW files | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Manual focus | ||
| Autofocus touch | ||
| Autofocus continuous | ||
| Single autofocus | ||
| Autofocus tracking | ||
| Selective autofocus | ||
| Center weighted autofocus | ||
| Multi area autofocus | ||
| Autofocus live view | ||
| Face detection autofocus | ||
| Contract detection autofocus | ||
| Phase detection autofocus | ||
| Number of focus points | 9 | 9 |
| Lens | ||
| Lens mount | fixed lens | Sony/Minolta Alpha |
| Lens focal range | 28-140mm (5.0x) | - |
| Maximal aperture | f/2.8-6.9 | - |
| Macro focus range | 5cm | - |
| Number of lenses | - | 143 |
| Focal length multiplier | 5.9 | 1.5 |
| Screen | ||
| Screen type | Fixed Type | Tilting |
| Screen size | 2.7 inch | 3 inch |
| Resolution of screen | 230k dots | 922k dots |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch friendly | ||
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder | None | Optical (pentamirror) |
| Viewfinder coverage | - | 95 percent |
| Viewfinder magnification | - | 0.53x |
| Features | ||
| Minimum shutter speed | 60 secs | 30 secs |
| Fastest shutter speed | 1/1600 secs | 1/4000 secs |
| Continuous shutter rate | 6.0 frames/s | 7.0 frames/s |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Manual mode | ||
| Exposure compensation | - | Yes |
| Change white balance | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Inbuilt flash | ||
| Flash range | 6.80 m | 12.00 m |
| 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 | ||
| Auto exposure bracketing | ||
| White balance bracketing | ||
| Fastest flash synchronize | - | 1/160 secs |
| Exposure | ||
| Multisegment | ||
| Average | ||
| Spot | ||
| Partial | ||
| AF area | ||
| Center weighted | ||
| Video features | ||
| Video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) | - |
| Max video resolution | 1280x720 | None |
| Video data format | Motion JPEG | - |
| Mic support | ||
| Headphone support | ||
| Connectivity | ||
| Wireless | None | None |
| Bluetooth | ||
| NFC | ||
| HDMI | ||
| USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
| GPS | None | None |
| Physical | ||
| Environmental sealing | ||
| Water proof | ||
| Dust proof | ||
| Shock proof | ||
| Crush proof | ||
| Freeze proof | ||
| Weight | 165 gr (0.36 pounds) | 632 gr (1.39 pounds) |
| Dimensions | 98 x 55 x 24mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") | 137 x 104 x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") |
| DXO scores | ||
| DXO Overall score | not tested | 66 |
| DXO Color Depth score | not tested | 21.9 |
| DXO Dynamic range score | not tested | 11.8 |
| DXO Low light score | not tested | 807 |
| Other | ||
| Battery life | - | 480 pictures |
| Battery style | - | Battery Pack |
| Battery model | - | NP-FM500H |
| Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
| Time lapse recording | ||
| Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal | SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
| Card slots | Single | Single |
| Launch price | $160 | $749 |