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Panasonic FP7 vs Sony A55

Portability
95
Imaging
39
Features
32
Overall
36
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP7 front
 
Sony SLT-A55 front
Portability
67
Imaging
56
Features
80
Overall
65

Panasonic FP7 vs Sony A55 Key Specs

Panasonic FP7
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 35-140mm (F3.5-5.9) lens
  • 147g - 101 x 59 x 18mm
  • Launched January 2011
Sony A55
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Boost to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 500g - 124 x 92 x 85mm
  • Announced August 2010
  • Successor is Sony A57
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Panasonic FP7 vs Sony A55 Overview

Here is a detailed assessment of the Panasonic FP7 and Sony A55, former being a Ultracompact while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by companies Panasonic and Sony. The image resolution of the FP7 (16MP) and the A55 (16MP) is relatively comparable but the FP7 (1/2.3") and A55 (APS-C) possess different sensor dimensions.

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The FP7 was announced 5 months later than the A55 so they are both of a similar age. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic FP7 being a Ultracompact camera and the Sony A55 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before we go in to a more detailed comparison, below is a concise synopsis of how the FP7 matches up against the A55 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FP7 over the Sony A55

 FP7 A55 
Screen sizing3.5"3"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Sony A55 over the Panasonic FP7

 A55 FP7 
Focus manually Dial precise focus
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen resolution921k230kCrisper screen (+691k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Panasonic FP7 and Sony A55

 FP7 A55 
AnnouncedJanuary 2011August 2010Same age

Panasonic FP7 vs Sony A55 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is going to carry your camera, you need to think about its weight and size. The Panasonic FP7 enjoys outer dimensions of 101mm x 59mm x 18mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 0.7") having a weight of 147 grams (0.32 lbs) while the Sony A55 has specifications of 124mm x 92mm x 85mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 3.3") and a weight of 500 grams (1.10 lbs).

Check the Panasonic FP7 and Sony A55 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you are working with at that moment. Below is the front view dimension comparison of the FP7 compared to the A55.

Panasonic FP7 vs Sony A55 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the FP7 and A55 is 95 and 67 respectively.

Panasonic FP7 vs Sony A55 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FP7 vs Sony A55 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it can be tough to imagine the contrast in sensor sizing only by checking out a spec sheet. The photograph underneath will help give you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the FP7 and A55.

Clearly, the 2 cameras enjoy the same exact megapixels albeit different sensor sizing. The FP7 has the smaller sensor which is going to make getting shallower depth of field tougher.

Panasonic FP7 vs Sony A55 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FP7 vs Sony A55 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FP7 vs Sony A55 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FP7 Portrait photography advice
Sony A55 Portrait photography advice
34
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
provides face detect autofocus
focusing manually not possible
manual exposure not available
external flash not possible
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
73
you can focus manually
good resolution (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
provides face detect focusing
supports RAW formats
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Panasonic FP7 Street photography highlights
Sony A55 Street photography highlights
60
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports focus via touch
no moving screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
heavier than others (147 grams)
77
fully articulated screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FP7 Sports photography information
Sony A55 Sports photography information
44
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
provides tracking focus
better than average battery (240 CIPA)
continuous shooting slow (4.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
68
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
comes with phase detect AF
terrible battery pack (380 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FP7 as a Travel photography camera
Sony A55 as a Travel photography camera
63
better than average battery (240 CIPA)
supports focus via touch
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
heavier than others (147 grams)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
wide angle not fantastic (35mm)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
62
good resolution (16MP)
flash built-in
screen is selfie friendly
missing Time Lapse function
terrible battery pack (380 CIPA)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FP7 Landscape photography details
Sony A55 Landscape photography details
41
bigger than average screen (3.5 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
better than average battery (240 shots)
focusing manually not possible
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (35mm)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
manual exposure not available
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
67
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
nice screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
terrible battery pack (380 CIPA)
missing Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic FP7
Vlogging with Sony A55
29
has touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect autofocus
wide angle not fantastic (35mm)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have mic jack
heavier than others (147 grams)
78
screen is selfie friendly
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detect focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does have mic socket
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Panasonic FP7 vs Sony A55 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FP7 and Sony A55
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP7Sony SLT-A55
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Sony
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP7 Sony SLT-A55
Type Ultracompact Entry-Level DSLR
Launched 2011-01-05 2010-08-24
Physical type Ultracompact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor 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 16MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 4912 x 3264
Max native ISO 6400 12800
Max enhanced ISO - 25600
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
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) -
Maximal aperture f/3.5-5.9 -
Macro focusing range 10cm -
Available lenses - 143
Crop factor 5.9 1.5
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Display diagonal 3.5" 3"
Resolution of display 230k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display technology TFT Touch Screen LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,150k dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.73x
Features
Min shutter speed 60s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/1600s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter rate 4.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 4.90 m 10.00 m (@ ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize - 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (24 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 file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
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 sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 147 gr (0.32 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 240 images 380 images
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 One One
Pricing at release $227 $800