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Panasonic FH8 vs Sony W550

Portability
96
Imaging
39
Features
32
Overall
36
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH8 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550 front
Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
28
Overall
33

Panasonic FH8 vs Sony W550 Key Specs

Panasonic FH8
(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
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
  • Launched July 2011
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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").

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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.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic FH8 over the Sony W550

 FH8 W550 

Reasons to pick Sony W550 over the Panasonic FH8

 W550 FH8 

Common features in the Panasonic FH8 and Sony W550

 FH8 W550 
LaunchedJanuary 2012July 2011Similar generation
Focus manually Lack of manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen sizing
Screen resolution230k230kIdentical 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Panasonic FH8 vs Sony W550 size comparison

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

Panasonic FH8 vs Sony W550 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FH8 vs Sony W550 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FH8 vs Sony W550 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FH8 Portrait photography advice
Sony W550 Portrait photography advice
34
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
features face detect autofocus
no manual focus
no manual control
no external flash support
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
28
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
lack of manual focus
no manual exposure
can't use external flash
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FH8 Street photography details
Sony W550 Street photography details
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (123g)
screen is fixed
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
57
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic FH8
Sports photography with Sony W550
40
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
features tracking focus
max frames per second very slow (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
35
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic FH8
Travel photography with Sony W550
69
lighter than competitors in class (123g)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
has built in flash
really wide (24mm)
lack of Time Lapse recording
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.5)
65
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
really wide (26mm)
lack of Time Lapse function
does not contain selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FH8 Landscape photography info
Sony W550 Landscape photography info
43
really wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.5)
no manual control
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
lack of Time Lapse recording
42
really wide (26mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
no manual exposure
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
lack of Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FH8 Vlogging details
Sony W550 Vlogging details
33
really wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect autofocus
lighter than competitors in class (123g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.5)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of mic jack
29
really wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of mic port
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Panasonic FH8 vs Sony W550 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FH8 and Sony W550
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH8Sony 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