Panasonic FH8 vs Sony W550
96 Imaging
39 Features
32 Overall
36


96 Imaging
37 Features
28 Overall
33
Panasonic FH8 vs Sony W550 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 6400
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 24-120mm (F2.5-6.4) lens
- 123g - 96 x 57 x 19mm
- Announced January 2012
(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
- Launched July 2011

Panasonic FH8 vs Sony W550 Overview
Here, we will be comparing the Panasonic FH8 vs Sony W550, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Ultracompact by rivals Panasonic and Sony. The sensor resolution of the FH8 (16MP) and the W550 (14MP) is pretty well matched and both cameras posses the identical sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

The FH8 was announced 6 months after the W550 which means that they are of a similar generation. Both of these cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic FH8 being a Compact camera and the Sony W550 being a Ultracompact camera.
Before we go into a detailed comparison, here is a brief view of how the FH8 grades against the W550 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Panasonic FH8 vs Sony W550 Gallery
Here is a preview of the gallery images for Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH8 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550. The whole galleries are available at Panasonic FH8 Gallery and Sony W550 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Panasonic FH8 over the Sony W550
FH8 | W550 |
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Reasons to pick Sony W550 over the Panasonic FH8
W550 | FH8 |
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Common features in the Panasonic FH8 and Sony W550
FH8 | W550 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | January 2012 | ![]() | July 2011 | Similar generation |
Focus manually | ![]() | Lack of manual focus | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen size | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Same screen sizing |
Screen resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | Identical screen resolution |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Absent selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Neither features Touch friendly screen |
Panasonic FH8 vs Sony W550 Physical Comparison
For anyone who is going to travel with your camera frequently, you will have to take into account its weight and volume. The Panasonic FH8 enjoys exterior dimensions of 96mm x 57mm x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") having a weight of 123 grams (0.27 lbs) and the Sony W550 has sizing of 94mm x 56mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7") and a weight of 110 grams (0.24 lbs).
Take a look at the Panasonic FH8 vs Sony W550 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you have chosen at the time. Here is a front view overall size comparison of the FH8 and the W550.

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the FH8 and W550 is 96 and 96 respectively.

Panasonic FH8 vs Sony W550 Sensor Comparison
Sometimes, it is tough to see the gap between sensor dimensions merely by checking specs. The picture underneath might give you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the FH8 and W550.
All in all, the two cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit not the same resolution. You should expect the Panasonic FH8 to give greater detail with its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop shots way more aggressively.

Panasonic FH8 vs Sony W550 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FH8 vs Sony W550 Specifications
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH8 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Panasonic | Sony |
Model type | Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH8 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550 |
Class | Small Sensor Compact | Ultracompact |
Announced | 2012-01-09 | 2011-07-24 |
Body design | Compact | Ultracompact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | - | 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 surface area | 27.7mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16MP | 14MP |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 4:3 and 16:9 |
Max resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4320 x 3240 |
Max native ISO | 6400 | 3200 |
Minimum native ISO | 100 | 80 |
RAW format | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch focus | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detection focus | ||
Contract detection focus | ||
Phase detection focus | ||
Total focus points | 23 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens support | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 24-120mm (5.0x) | 26-104mm (4.0x) |
Maximum aperture | f/2.5-6.4 | f/2.7-5.7 |
Macro focusing distance | 4cm | 5cm |
Crop factor | 5.9 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen sizing | 3" | 3" |
Resolution of screen | 230 thousand dot | 230 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch display | ||
Screen technology | TFT Color LCD | Clear Photo LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 8 seconds | 2 seconds |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/1600 seconds | 1/1600 seconds |
Continuous shutter speed | 1.0 frames per second | 1.0 frames per second |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash distance | 5.60 m | 3.80 m |
Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction | Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync |
Hot shoe | ||
AEB | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Max video resolution | 1280x720 | 1280x720 |
Video file format | MPEG-4 | 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 proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 123 gr (0.27 pounds) | 110 gr (0.24 pounds) |
Physical dimensions | 96 x 57 x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") | 94 x 56 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall rating | not tested | not tested |
DXO Color Depth rating | not tested | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range rating | not tested | not tested |
DXO Low light rating | not tested | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery life | 260 images | - |
Type of battery | Battery Pack | - |
Battery ID | - | 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 | - |
Pricing at release | $149 | $119 |