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Panasonic FP2 vs Sony A55

Portability
95
Imaging
36
Features
17
Overall
28
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP2 front
 
Sony SLT-A55 front
Portability
67
Imaging
56
Features
80
Overall
65

Panasonic FP2 vs Sony A55 Key Specs

Panasonic FP2
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 35-140mm (F3.5-5.9) lens
  • 151g - 99 x 59 x 19mm
  • Revealed January 2010
Sony A55
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Boost to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 500g - 124 x 92 x 85mm
  • Revealed August 2010
  • Updated by Sony A57
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Panasonic FP2 vs Sony A55 Overview

Below is a comprehensive analysis of the Panasonic FP2 and Sony A55, one being a Ultracompact and the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by rivals Panasonic and Sony. The resolution of the FP2 (14MP) and the A55 (16MP) is fairly close but the FP2 (1/2.3") and A55 (APS-C) come with different sensor measurements.

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The FP2 was announced 7 months prior to the A55 so they are both of a similar generation. Each of these cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic FP2 being a Ultracompact camera and the Sony A55 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before we go straight into a comprehensive comparison, below is a quick summation of how the FP2 matches up vs the A55 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FP2 over the Sony A55

 FP2 A55 

Reasons to pick Sony A55 over the Panasonic FP2

 A55 FP2 
RevealedAugust 2010January 2010More recent by 7 months
Focus manually Very exact focus
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display dimension3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution921k230kSharper display (+691k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Panasonic FP2 and Sony A55

 FP2 A55 
Touch friendly display Lack of Touch friendly display

Panasonic FP2 vs Sony A55 Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to lug around your camera, you will have to consider its weight and measurements. The Panasonic FP2 enjoys outside measurements of 99mm x 59mm x 19mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.7") having a weight of 151 grams (0.33 lbs) whilst the Sony A55 has proportions of 124mm x 92mm x 85mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 3.3") accompanied by a weight of 500 grams (1.10 lbs).

Look at the Panasonic FP2 and Sony A55 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are employing at the time. Underneath is the front view sizing comparison of the FP2 versus the A55.

Panasonic FP2 vs Sony A55 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the FP2 and A55 is 95 and 67 respectively.

Panasonic FP2 vs Sony A55 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FP2 vs Sony A55 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is difficult to visualize the contrast in sensor measurements purely by viewing a spec sheet. The visual underneath may offer you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the FP2 and A55.

As you can see, both of those cameras have got different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The FP2 having a smaller sensor is going to make shooting shallow depth of field more difficult and the Sony A55 will render greater detail with its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will help you crop photos much more aggressively. The older FP2 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Panasonic FP2 vs Sony A55 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FP2 vs Sony A55 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FP2 vs Sony A55 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FP2 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony A55 as a Portrait photography camera
28
good resolution (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
no manual control
can't use external flash
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
73
you can focus manually
good resolution (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports face detection focus
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FP2 Street photography highlights
Sony A55 Street photography highlights
55
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
heavier than competitors (151 grams)
77
fully articulated screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Panasonic FP2 as a Sports photography camera
Sony A55 as a Sports photography camera
34
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (14MP)
max fps very slow (5.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
68
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
comes with phase detect auto focus
not so great battery (380 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FP2 Travel photography advice
Sony A55 Travel photography advice
56
good resolution (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
does not have Time Lapse mode
heavier than competitors (151g)
display is not selfie friendly
wide angle not fantastic (35mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
62
good resolution (16MP)
built-in flash
selfie friendly screen
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
not so great battery (380 shots)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FP2 Landscape photography highlights
Sony A55 Landscape photography highlights
32
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (35mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen is small (2.7")
no manual control
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
does not have Time Lapse mode
67
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
not so great battery (380 shots)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FP2 Vlogging advice
Sony A55 Vlogging advice
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not fantastic (35mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
display is not selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have external mic support
heavier than competitors (151g)
78
selfie friendly screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detection focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does have external mic port
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Panasonic FP2 vs Sony A55 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FP2 and Sony A55
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP2Sony SLT-A55
General Information
Make Panasonic Sony
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP2 Sony SLT-A55
Type Ultracompact Entry-Level DSLR
Revealed 2010-01-06 2010-08-24
Body design Ultracompact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by Venus Engine IV Bionz
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4320 x 3240 4912 x 3264
Max native ISO 6400 12800
Max boosted ISO - 25600
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 9 15
Cross focus points - 3
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens focal range 35-140mm (4.0x) -
Maximal aperture f/3.5-5.9 -
Macro focus range 10cm -
Number of lenses - 143
Crop factor 5.9 1.5
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Display sizing 2.7" 3"
Display resolution 230 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,150 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.73x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 5.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 4.90 m 10.00 m (@ ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync - 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60, 29.97 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 640 x 424 (29.97 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 151 grams (0.33 pounds) 500 grams (1.10 pounds)
Dimensions 99 x 59 x 19mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.7") 124 x 92 x 85mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 73
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.0
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 12.4
DXO Low light score not tested 816
Other
Battery life - 380 shots
Battery form - Battery Pack
Battery model - NP-FW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots One One
Price at launch $80 $800