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Panasonic FP8 vs Sony W550

Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
20
Overall
29
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP8 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550 front
Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
28
Overall
33

Panasonic FP8 vs Sony W550 Key Specs

Panasonic FP8
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-128mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 151g - 96 x 60 x 20mm
  • Launched July 2009
Sony W550
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • 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 FP8 vs Sony W550 Overview

Lets examine more in depth at the Panasonic FP8 versus Sony W550, both Ultracompact cameras by brands Panasonic and Sony. The sensor resolution of the FP8 (12MP) and the W550 (14MP) is fairly comparable and they use the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The FP8 was revealed 24 months prior to the W550 making the cameras a generation apart from one another. Both cameras offer the identical body type (Ultracompact).

Before delving through a step-by-step comparison, below is a concise highlight of how the FP8 matches up versus the W550 for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FP8 over the Sony W550

 FP8 W550 

Reasons to pick Sony W550 over the Panasonic FP8

 W550 FP8 
LaunchedJuly 2011July 2009More recent by 24 months
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")

Common features in the Panasonic FP8 and Sony W550

 FP8 W550 
Manually focus Lack of manual focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kEqual display resolution
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch display Neither includes Touch display

Panasonic FP8 vs Sony W550 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is planning to lug around your camera often, you will want to factor its weight and proportions. The Panasonic FP8 features outside measurements of 96mm x 60mm x 20mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 0.8") along with a weight of 151 grams (0.33 lbs) and the Sony W550 has measurements of 94mm x 56mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7") along with a weight of 110 grams (0.24 lbs).

Check the Panasonic FP8 versus Sony W550 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are employing at the time. Following is the front view dimension comparison of the FP8 compared to the W550.

Panasonic FP8 vs Sony W550 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the FP8 and W550 is 95 and 96 respectively.

Panasonic FP8 vs Sony W550 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FP8 vs Sony W550 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is hard to see the contrast in sensor measurements simply by going through specifications. The graphic here will give you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the FP8 and W550.

To sum up, both the cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but not the same resolution. You should anticipate the Sony W550 to provide more detail because of its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will let you crop images a little more aggressively. The older FP8 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.

Panasonic FP8 vs Sony W550 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FP8 vs Sony W550 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FP8 vs Sony W550 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FP8 Portrait photography information
Sony W550 Portrait photography information
21
lack of manual focus
no manual control
can't use external flash
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
28
good megapixels (14MP)
manual focus not available
manual mode not possible
can't use external flash
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Panasonic FP8 as a Street photography camera
Sony W550 as a Street photography camera
55
image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
more heavy than competition (151g)
57
has image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FP8 Sports photography information
Sony W550 Sports photography information
24
image stabilization (Optical)
low max shutter speed (1/1,300 seconds)
slow fps (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
35
has image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (14MP)
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FP8 Travel photography highlights
Sony W550 Travel photography highlights
56
flash built-in
rather wide (28mm)
does not have Timelapse function
more heavy than competition (151g)
low MP (12 megapixels)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
65
good megapixels (14MP)
has built in flash
quite wide (26mm)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
does not have selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.7)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic FP8
Landscape photography with Sony W550
32
rather wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is small (2.7")
no manual control
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
does not have Timelapse function
42
quite wide (26mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.7)
manual mode not possible
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
doesn't have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FP8 as a Vlogging camera
Sony W550 as a Vlogging camera
28
rather wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have external microphone port
more heavy than competition (151 grams)
29
quite wide (26mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.7)
does not have selfie friendly display
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have microphone port
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Panasonic FP8 vs Sony W550 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FP8 and Sony W550
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP8Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550
General Information
Company Panasonic Sony
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP8 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550
Category Ultracompact Ultracompact
Launched 2009-07-27 2011-07-24
Body design Ultracompact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Venus Engine V BIONZ
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4000 x 3000 4320 x 3240
Highest native ISO 6400 3200
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-128mm (4.6x) 26-104mm (4.0x)
Max aperture f/3.3-5.9 f/2.7-5.7
Macro focus range 5cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.7 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display tech - Clear Photo LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 60 seconds 2 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/1300 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 2.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 5.50 m 3.80 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
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) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4
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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 151 grams (0.33 pounds) 110 grams (0.24 pounds)
Dimensions 96 x 60 x 20mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 0.8") 94 x 56 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery model - NP-BN1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots Single -
Retail cost $300 $119