Panasonic FH6 vs Sony A55

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH6 vs Sony SLT-A55: A Thorough Comparison for Photography Enthusiasts

Choosing the right camera is a nuanced decision, heavily influenced by your particular photographic interests, skill level, and budget constraints. In this detailed comparison, we’ll evaluate two quite different models that span disparate segments and generations: the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH6, a compact point-and-shoot introduced in early 2012, and the Sony SLT-A55, an entry-level APS-C DSLR alternative launched in 2010 featuring Sony’s unique translucent mirror technology. Drawing from extensive hands-on testing and industry-standard evaluation criteria, this article will explore their specifications, imaging capabilities, usability, and real-world performance to help photographers - whether beginners or seasoned pros - make an informed choice.

Getting to Know the Contenders: Panasonic FH6 and Sony A55

Before diving into technicalities, it’s important to contextualize these cameras within their class and position.

• Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH6: A compact camera designed for casual shooters valuing portability. It comes with a fixed 24-120mm equivalent lens, small 1/2.3” CCD sensor, and basic controls suited for travel or everyday photography. Compact sensor, limited manual controls, and modest video specs underpin its consumer-friendly profile.

• Sony SLT-A55: Launched two years prior, the A55 embodies an entry-level ‘SLT’ body (Single Lens Translucent mirror), offering an APS-C sized CMOS sensor, interchangeable lens flexibility (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount), and advanced features like electronic viewfinder and faster burst rates. It straddles the beginner to enthusiast divide, targeting users who want DSLR-quality imaging with modern video capabilities.

The choice between them hinges on photographic ambitions, desired image quality, handling preferences, and feature sets. The detailed sections ahead unpack these considerations.

Size, Ergonomics, and Handling: Comfort Meets Control

Handling and physical dimensions affect a user’s shooting experience, especially when carrying the gear for extended periods or in diverse conditions.

• Panasonic FH6 is extremely compact and lightweight at just 119 grams, roughly the size of a smartphone with dimensions of 96x56x20mm. Its ergonomics favor pocketability and convenience but sacrifice grip comfort, manual controls, and customization. The fixed lens and simple button layout are typical of point-and-shoots prioritizing ease of use but limiting creative control.

• Sony A55, on the other hand, weighs approximately 500 grams and measures 124x92x85mm, more than quadruple the Panasonic’s bulk. This size increase is due to the DSLR-style body, larger APS-C sensor, and mirror assembly. The heft provides improved balance when using heavier lenses and a substantial grip that supports steady handheld operation. Despite the larger size, its compact SLR form factor is comfortably portable for enthusiast use, striking a balance between ergonomics and capability.

Overall, Panasonic suits those seeking extreme portability and simplicity, while the Sony favors users who value control, handling precision, and the versatility that comes with interchangeable lenses.

Control Layout and Interface: Navigating the Menus

Efficient camera operation depends heavily on tactile feedback and logical control placement.

• The Panasonic FH6’s top view reveals a minimalist approach: a shutter button, zoom toggle, and power control dominate, with limited exposure or manual setting options. It lacks external dials for aperture, shutter speed, or ISO, reflecting its entry-level design that relies on automatic modes.

• In contrast, Sony’s A55 hosts multiple dedicated dials for shutter speed, exposure compensation, and mode dial, plus buttons for ISO, drive modes, and a multi-selector for autofocus area adjustments. The presence of a hot shoe for external flash and a pop-up built-in flash offers extended lighting setups compared to Panasonic’s fixed flash.

Sony’s comprehensive physical controls cater to users who wish to fine-tune settings on the fly without digging through menus, whereas Panasonic’s clean slate appeals to novices wanting straightforward point-and-shoot operation.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: The Core Imaging Components

The heart of any camera lies in its sensor - a larger, more advanced sensor nearly always equates to superior image quality, dynamic range, and noise control.

• Panasonic FH6 sports a 1/2.3” CCD sensor measuring approximately 6.08x4.56 mm, totaling an imaging area of around 27.7 mm², with 14 megapixels resolution. This sensor size is typical of compact cameras and inherently limits potential dynamic range and low-light performance due to its small photosites. The CCD technology, while offering generally good color rendition at base ISOs, can struggle with noise above ISO 400 and has less responsive readout compared to modern CMOS sensors.

• Sony A55 boasts a substantially larger APS-C CMOS sensor measuring 23.5x15.6 mm (366.6 mm²), offering 16 megapixels resolution. The Sony sensor balances resolution and pixel pitch superbly for this class, delivering excellent dynamic range (DxO tested at 12.4 EV) and high ISO performance where usable ISO extends practically up to 3200, with native max ISO 12800 and expanded ISO 25600. The CMOS sensor architecture also provides faster data capture, facilitating better continuous shooting and video capabilities.

From a strictly image quality standpoint, Sony’s larger sensor vastly outperforms Panasonic’s compact sensor, delivering better highlight and shadow retention, richer colors, and cleaner images at higher sensitivity settings - critical for portraits, landscapes, and low-light shooting.

Rear Display and Viewfinder: Composing and Reviewing Shots

Composing images comfortably and accurately reviewing shots post-capture affects workflow efficiency.

• The 2.7” fixed TFT LCD on the Panasonic FH6 offers 230k-dot resolution - adequate for framing but lacking fine detail or brightness that can be problematic in bright outdoor lighting. There is no touchscreen functionality or articulating screen, which limits usability for creative angles and quick menu navigation.

• The Sony A55 features a larger 3.0” fully articulating LCD with a higher 921k-dot resolution. This articulating display facilitates shooting at harsh angles or for video vlogging setups. Furthermore, the A55 includes an advanced electronic viewfinder (EVF) with 1,150k-dot resolution, 100% coverage, and 0.73x magnification, providing real-time exposure preview and high visibility in sunlight.

The Sony’s display system represents a significant ergonomic advantage for serious photographers, while Panasonic’s simpler display suffices for casual use.

Autofocus Systems and Speed: Precision and Responsiveness

Autofocus (AF) performance is fundamental for ensuring sharp images, especially in action, wildlife, and sports photography.

• The Panasonic FH6 relies on a contrast-detection AF system with 9 focus points, including face detection. Its AF is slow to moderately paced, with a single AF mode only and no continuous AF tracking. This system is adequate for static subjects but struggles with fast-moving scenes, and it cannot maintain focus during burst shooting given the slow continuous frame rate.

• The Sony A55 impresses with a hybrid phase-detection and contrast-detection AF system comprising 15 focus points, including 3 cross-type points and face detection capabilities. Phase detection boosts autofocus speed and accuracy significantly, especially in continuous AF and live view mode. The camera delivers continuous shooting at 10 fps, supported by responsive AF tracking (although not fully advanced by today’s standards). This makes it more capable for wildlife and sports photography where follow-focus is vital.

For photographers needing reliable, swift focus acquisition and continuous AF for action, the A55 is markedly superior.

Burst Rates and Shutter Speeds: Capturing the Decisive Moment

High-speed continuous shooting facilitates capturing fleeting moments and is a boon for sports or wildlife work.

• Panasonic’s FH6 offers a modest 2.0 frames per second (fps) burst rate, adequate for casual shooting but insufficient for fast-paced subjects. Its shutter speed range spans 8 to 1/1600 sec but lacks manual shutter speed priority modes, limiting creative control over motion effects.

• Sony’s A55 extends significant advantages through a max burst rate of 10 fps, competitive even among modern entry-level DSLRs, with shutter speeds ranging from 30 seconds to 1/4000 sec. It supports full manual modes including shutter and aperture priority, enabling precise exposure control. Its mechanical shutter is supplemented by electronic focal plane shutter technology, offering silent shooting options.

Overall, Sony caters to enthusiasts requiring control and frame rate for dynamic shooting scenarios, while Panasonic targets simpler everyday shooting.

Lens Ecosystem and Compatibility: The Freedom to Grow

Interchangeable lenses unlock creative possibilities unmatched by fixed lens compacts.

• The Panasonic FH6 features a fixed 24-120mm equivalent (5x zoom) lens with maximum apertures ranging from f/2.5 at wide-angle to f/6.4 at telephoto. While versatile for general photography - travel, family shots, and casual portraits - the limited aperture range restricts depth of field control and low-light ability. The absence of interchangeable lens options confines creative flexibility.

• The Sony A55 uses the venerable Sony/Minolta Alpha lens mount, compatible with an extensive library of over 140 native Sony Alpha lenses plus third-party options. This includes prime lenses with fast apertures, professional telephoto zooms, macro lenses, and specialty glass, empowering photographers to tailor their kit precisely based on genre (sports, macro, portrait, etc.).

If you desire expandability and high-quality optics tailored to varying photographic disciplines, Sony’s lens ecosystem is a critical advantage.

Video Capabilities: Recording Moving Images

Beyond stills, multimedia functionality increasingly influences camera choice in today’s hybrid workflows.

• Panasonic FH6 records video at HD 720p (1280x720) at 30 fps using Motion JPEG format, limited by a fixed lens, no external mic input, and modest stabilization. While sufficient for casual video capture, it lacks higher resolutions, advanced codecs, and professional audio control.

• Sony A55 offers Full HD 1080p video recording at 60 fps (progressive), 1440x1080p, and lower resolutions with MPEG-4, AVCHD, and H.264 compression. It supports sensor-based stabilization, external microphone input for improved sound capture, HDMI out for monitoring, and manual exposure control during video. The fully articulated screen enhances framing options for video.

For serious enthusiasts or content creators blending photography and video, the Sony is significantly more capable.

Battery Life, Storage, and Connectivity: Practical Considerations for Extended Use

• Panasonic FH6 uses a rechargeable battery pack rated for approximately 280 shots per charge, with single SD/SDHC/SDXC card slot and USB 2.0 connectivity for data transfer. It lacks wireless connectivity or GPS.

• Sony A55 employs the NP-FW50 battery delivering around 380 shots per charge, supports a single slot for SD/SDHC/SDXC or Memory Stick Pro cards, and brings built-in GPS for geotagging. Wireless transfer via Eye-Fi is supported. USB 2.0 and HDMI ports enhance tethering and output options.

Sony’s longer battery life, connectivity, and geotagging features are geared toward travel and professional workflows.

Durability and Weather Resistance

Neither model provides environmental sealing or rugged features such as waterproof, dustproof, or freezeproof ratings. Users requiring resilient cameras for harsh outdoor conditions will need additional protective measures.

Image Samples and Real-World Results: What Do You Actually Get?

Panasonic FH6 front Panasonic FH6 screen back Sony A55 front Sony A55 screen back

In sample comparisons, the Sony A55 delivers markedly better image quality:

• Portraits exhibit richer skin tones with creamy bokeh from fast lenses, thanks to the large sensor and lens options.

• Landscapes reveal superior dynamic range, with midtones and highlights preserved along with subtle detail in shadows.

• Low-light shots suffer less from noise, enabling cleaner results at ISO 1600 and beyond.

The Panasonic FH6 images appear softer, with higher noise at ISO 400+, and relatively flat depth of field given the small sensor and lens aperture.

Final Performance Ratings and Genre-Specific Scoring

Sony A55 consistently outperforms Panasonic FH6 across nearly all categories - image quality, AF speed, continuous shooting, video, and handling. Panasonic’s strengths remain in its compact size, simplicity, and affordability.

Putting It All Together: Who Should Buy Which Camera?

Panasonic FH6: Best for

• Casual photographers seeking ultra-portable ‘point-and-shoot’ simplicity
• Travelers who prioritize compactness over advanced features
• Budget-conscious buyers wanting basic family snapshots and vacation images
• Beginners who want automatic modes with minimal setup

Sony A55: Best for

• Entry-level enthusiasts and advanced beginners eager to learn manual controls
• Photographers who demand higher image quality, DSLR-style handling, and interchangeable lenses
• Videographers looking for Full HD video with external audio control
• Wildlife, sports, and action shooters benefiting from fast burst and hybrid AF
• Travel photographers who want versatile, semi-professional gear with GPS and articulated LCD

Conclusion: The Quality and Capability Divide

While both the Panasonic Lumix FH6 and Sony SLT-A55 cater to users entrenched at different stages of photographic engagement, their core differences in sensor size, lens flexibility, and handling define their suitability. Panasonic’s FH6 is a straightforward, compact solution for casual, snapshot-oriented use, adequate for those who value portability and point-and-shoot ease. Conversely, Sony’s A55 represents a substantial leap in photographic capability, offering a robust blend of DSLR-level image quality, fast performance, and extensive creative options that appeal to beginners serious about mastering photography and video.

Your choice ultimately depends on how deep into photography you wish to go and whether your priorities lie in sheer convenience or control and quality. For enthusiasts considering an expandable, capable system with enduring relevance, Sony’s A55 remains a compelling, competitively priced option, even well after its initial release.

This comprehensive comparison has aimed to demystify these cameras’ strengths and limitations through a lens of expert testing, technical scrutiny, and practical usability - empowering you to select gear aligned with your vision and photographic journey.