Panasonic FP3 vs Sony A550
95 Imaging
36 Features
25 Overall
31
63 Imaging
54 Features
65 Overall
58
Panasonic FP3 vs Sony A550 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 80 - 6400
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 35-140mm (F3.5-5.9) lens
- 155g - 99 x 59 x 19mm
- Introduced January 2010
(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
- Older Model is Sony A100
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month Panasonic FP3 vs Sony A550 Overview
Its time to look a bit more in depth at the Panasonic FP3 and Sony A550, former being a Ultracompact while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by competitors Panasonic and Sony. The resolution of the FP3 (14MP) and the A550 (14MP) is relatively close but the FP3 (1/2.3") and A550 (APS-C) provide totally different sensor measurements.
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD CardsThe FP3 was brought out very close to the A550 so they are both of a similar age. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic FP3 being a Ultracompact camera and the Sony A550 being a Compact SLR camera.
Before going straight to a step-by-step comparison, here is a brief overview of how the FP3 grades vs the A550 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.
Photography Glossary Panasonic FP3 vs Sony A550 Gallery
Following is a preview of the gallery photos for Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP3 & Sony Alpha DSLR-A550. The entire galleries are available at Panasonic FP3 Gallery & Sony A550 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Panasonic FP3 over the Sony A550
| FP3 | A550 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Touch screen |  | Quickly navigate |
Reasons to pick Sony A550 over the Panasonic FP3
| A550 | FP3 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manually focus |  | More exact focusing | ||
| Screen type | Tilting |  | Fixed | Tilting screen |
| Screen resolution | 922k |  | 230k | Sharper screen (+692k dot) |
Common features in the Panasonic FP3 and Sony A550
| FP3 | A550 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Announced | January 2010 |  | December 2009 | Same age |
| Screen size | 3" |  | 3" | Same screen measurements |
| Selfie screen |  | Lack of selfie screen |
Panasonic FP3 vs Sony A550 Physical Comparison
For those who are planning to carry your camera often, you'll need to factor its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic FP3 offers outside dimensions of 99mm x 59mm x 19mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.7") accompanied by a weight of 155 grams (0.34 lbs) and the Sony A550 has dimensions of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") and a weight of 632 grams (1.39 lbs).
Analyze the Panasonic FP3 and Sony A550 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into account, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are utilising during that time. Underneath is a front view measurements comparison of the FP3 versus the A550.
Considering size and weight, the portability score of the FP3 and A550 is 95 and 63 respectively.
Panasonic FP3 vs Sony A550 Sensor Comparison
Usually, it is tough to visualise the gap in sensor sizing simply by researching technical specs. The graphic here may offer you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the FP3 and A550.
As you have seen, both of those cameras feature the identical MP albeit not the same sensor sizing. The FP3 offers the smaller sensor which will make obtaining shallower DOF more difficult.
Panasonic FP3 vs Sony A550 Screen and ViewFinder
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Panasonic FP3 vs Sony A550 Specifications
| Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP3 | Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Company | Panasonic | Sony |
| Model type | Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP3 | Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 |
| Type | Ultracompact | Entry-Level DSLR |
| Introduced | 2010-01-06 | 2009-12-09 |
| Body design | Ultracompact | Compact SLR |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Processor Chip | Venus Engine IV | Bionz |
| Sensor type | CCD | CMOS |
| Sensor size | 1/2.3" | APS-C |
| Sensor measurements | 6.08 x 4.56mm | 23.4 x 15.6mm |
| Sensor surface area | 27.7mm² | 365.0mm² |
| Sensor resolution | 14 megapixel | 14 megapixel |
| Anti alias filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
| Highest resolution | 4320 x 3240 | 4592 x 3056 |
| Highest native ISO | 6400 | 12800 |
| Minimum native ISO | 80 | 200 |
| RAW photos | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Manual focusing | ||
| Autofocus touch | ||
| Autofocus continuous | ||
| Autofocus single | ||
| Autofocus tracking | ||
| Autofocus selectice | ||
| Autofocus center weighted | ||
| Multi area autofocus | ||
| Live view autofocus | ||
| Face detect focus | ||
| Contract detect focus | ||
| Phase detect focus | ||
| Total focus points | 9 | 9 |
| Lens | ||
| Lens support | fixed lens | Sony/Minolta Alpha |
| Lens zoom range | 35-140mm (4.0x) | - |
| Max aperture | f/3.5-5.9 | - |
| Macro focusing range | 10cm | - |
| Total lenses | - | 143 |
| Focal length multiplier | 5.9 | 1.5 |
| Screen | ||
| Display type | Fixed Type | Tilting |
| Display sizing | 3 inches | 3 inches |
| Resolution of display | 230k dot | 922k dot |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch screen | ||
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder type | None | Optical (pentamirror) |
| Viewfinder coverage | - | 95 percent |
| Viewfinder magnification | - | 0.53x |
| Features | ||
| Lowest shutter speed | 60s | 30s |
| Highest shutter speed | 1/1600s | 1/4000s |
| Continuous shooting speed | 5.0 frames per sec | 7.0 frames per sec |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Manually set exposure | ||
| Exposure compensation | - | Yes |
| Set white balance | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Built-in flash | ||
| Flash distance | 4.90 m | 12.00 m |
| Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless |
| Hot shoe | ||
| AE bracketing | ||
| White balance bracketing | ||
| Highest flash sync | - | 1/160s |
| 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) | - |
| Highest video resolution | 1280x720 | None |
| Video format | Motion JPEG | - |
| Microphone 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 | ||
| Environmental seal | ||
| Water proofing | ||
| Dust proofing | ||
| Shock proofing | ||
| Crush proofing | ||
| Freeze proofing | ||
| Weight | 155 grams (0.34 lbs) | 632 grams (1.39 lbs) |
| Physical dimensions | 99 x 59 x 19mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.7") | 137 x 104 x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") |
| DXO scores | ||
| DXO All around rating | not tested | 66 |
| DXO Color Depth rating | not tested | 21.9 |
| DXO Dynamic range rating | not tested | 11.8 |
| DXO Low light rating | not tested | 807 |
| Other | ||
| Battery life | - | 480 images |
| Battery form | - | Battery Pack |
| Battery ID | - | NP-FM500H |
| Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
| Time lapse shooting | ||
| Storage media | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal | SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
| Storage slots | One | One |
| Pricing at launch | $182 | $749 |