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Panasonic FP5 vs Sony A55

Portability
95
Imaging
37
Features
33
Overall
35
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP5 front
 
Sony SLT-A55 front
Portability
67
Imaging
56
Features
80
Overall
65

Panasonic FP5 vs Sony A55 Key Specs

Panasonic FP5
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 35-140mm (F3.5-5.9) lens
  • 141g - 101 x 59 x 18mm
  • Launched January 2011
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
  • Introduced August 2010
  • Later Model is Sony A57
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Panasonic FP5 vs Sony A55 Overview

Its time to look much closer at the Panasonic FP5 versus Sony A55, one being a Ultracompact and the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by competitors Panasonic and Sony. The sensor resolution of the FP5 (14MP) and the A55 (16MP) is very close but the FP5 (1/2.3") and A55 (APS-C) possess different sensor dimensions.

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The FP5 was unveiled 5 months later than the A55 so they are both of a similar generation. Each of the cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic FP5 being a Ultracompact camera and the Sony A55 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before delving straight into a comprehensive comparison, below is a quick summary of how the FP5 matches up vs the A55 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FP5 over the Sony A55

 FP5 A55 
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Sony A55 over the Panasonic FP5

 A55 FP5 
Manually focus Very precise focus
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display resolution921k230kClearer display (+691k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Panasonic FP5 and Sony A55

 FP5 A55 
IntroducedJanuary 2011August 2010Same generation
Display dimension3"3"Identical display sizing

Panasonic FP5 vs Sony A55 Physical Comparison

When you are planning to carry your camera often, you will need to consider its weight and size. The Panasonic FP5 provides outside measurements of 101mm x 59mm x 18mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 0.7") accompanied by a weight of 141 grams (0.31 lbs) and the Sony A55 has specifications of 124mm x 92mm x 85mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 3.3") along with a weight of 500 grams (1.10 lbs).

Look at the Panasonic FP5 versus Sony A55 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you choose at that time. Following is the front view proportions comparison of the FP5 compared to the A55.

Panasonic FP5 vs Sony A55 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the FP5 and A55 is 95 and 67 respectively.

Panasonic FP5 vs Sony A55 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FP5 vs Sony A55 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, its tough to picture the gap in sensor sizing just by looking through specs. The photograph below may offer you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the FP5 and A55.

All in all, the 2 cameras have got different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The FP5 using its smaller sensor is going to make achieving shallower DOF harder and the Sony A55 will result in greater detail having an extra 2MP. Greater resolution will enable you to crop pics much more aggressively.

Panasonic FP5 vs Sony A55 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FP5 vs Sony A55 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FP5 vs Sony A55 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FP5 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony A55 as a Portrait photography camera
33
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
has face detection focus
manual focus not available
manual mode not possible
can't use external flash
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
73
manual focus
megapixel count good (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports face detect focus
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FP5 Street photography information
Sony A55 Street photography information
63
has image stabilization (Optical)
features touch focus
no articulating screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
77
fully articulated screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FP5 Sports photography information
Sony A55 Sports photography information
43
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
has tracking autofocus
good battery life (260 CIPA)
slow frames per second (6.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
68
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
has phase detect auto focus
bad battery life (380 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FP5 as a Travel photography camera
Sony A55 as a Travel photography camera
65
good battery life (260 shots)
features touch focus
megapixel count good (14MP)
has built in flash
missing Time Lapse recording
display is not selfie friendly
wide angle not fantastic (35mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
62
megapixel count good (16MP)
flash built-in
selfie friendly screen
missing Time Lapse mode
bad battery life (380 CIPA)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FP5 Landscape photography info
Sony A55 Landscape photography info
40
good sized screen (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (14MP)
good battery life (260 CIPA)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (35mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
manual mode not possible
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
missing Time Lapse recording
67
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen size is good (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
bad battery life (380 per charge)
missing Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FP5 Vlogging information
Sony A55 Vlogging information
30
screen is touchscreen
has image stabilization (Optical)
has face detection focus
wide angle not fantastic (35mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
display is not selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing external mic support
78
selfie friendly screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detect focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
has mic support
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Panasonic FP5 vs Sony A55 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FP5 and Sony A55
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP5Sony SLT-A55
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Sony
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP5 Sony SLT-A55
Class Ultracompact Entry-Level DSLR
Launched 2011-01-05 2010-08-24
Physical type Ultracompact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip 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 area 27.7mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4320 x 3240 4912 x 3264
Max native ISO 6400 12800
Max enhanced ISO - 25600
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 11 15
Cross type focus points - 3
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens zoom range 35-140mm (4.0x) -
Largest aperture f/3.5-5.9 -
Macro focusing distance 10cm -
Total lenses - 143
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1.5
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Display size 3" 3"
Display resolution 230 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display technology TFT Touch Screen LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,150 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.73x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 6.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 4.90 m 10.00 m (@ ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize - 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (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 data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Mic support
Headphone support
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
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 141 gr (0.31 lbs) 500 gr (1.10 lbs)
Dimensions 101 x 59 x 18mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 0.7") 124 x 92 x 85mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 73
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.0
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.4
DXO Low light rating not tested 816
Other
Battery life 260 photos 380 photos
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-FW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots 1 1
Retail price $199 $800