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Panasonic FS25 vs Sony A550

Portability
95
Imaging
34
Features
24
Overall
30
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS25 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 front
Portability
63
Imaging
54
Features
65
Overall
58

Panasonic FS25 vs Sony A550 Key Specs

Panasonic FS25
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600 (Push to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 29-145mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 148g - 97 x 58 x 22mm
  • Introduced January 2009
Sony A550
(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
  • Old Model is Sony A100
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Panasonic FS25 vs Sony A550 Overview

Lets examine more closely at the Panasonic FS25 vs Sony A550, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by rivals Panasonic and Sony. The image resolution of the FS25 (12MP) and the A550 (14MP) is pretty well matched but the FS25 (1/2.3") and A550 (APS-C) come with totally different sensor size.

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The FS25 was announced 10 months before the A550 so they are of a similar generation. Both cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic FS25 being a Compact camera and the Sony A550 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before delving straight into a detailed comparison, below is a simple view of how the FS25 scores versus the A550 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic FS25 over the Sony A550

 FS25 A550 

Reasons to pick Sony A550 over the Panasonic FS25

 A550 FS25 
AnnouncedDecember 2009January 2009More modern by 10 months
Manually focus Dial accurate focus
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution922k230kCrisper screen (+692k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic FS25 and Sony A550

 FS25 A550 
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen size
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch screen Neither has Touch screen

Panasonic FS25 vs Sony A550 Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to carry around your camera regularly, you'll have to think about its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic FS25 has physical dimensions of 97mm x 58mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 0.9") and a weight of 148 grams (0.33 lbs) whilst the Sony A550 has dimensions of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") accompanied by a weight of 632 grams (1.39 lbs).

Contrast the Panasonic FS25 vs Sony A550 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are using during that time. Following is the front view dimension comparison of the FS25 against the A550.

Panasonic FS25 vs Sony A550 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the FS25 and A550 is 95 and 63 respectively.

Panasonic FS25 vs Sony A550 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FS25 vs Sony A550 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, its tough to see the difference between sensor sizes only by reading through specifications. The picture underneath will give you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the FS25 and A550.

To sum up, each of these cameras offer different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The FS25 using its tinier sensor will make getting shallow DOF harder and the Sony A550 will give more detail with its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop pictures a little more aggressively. The more aged FS25 is going to be behind with regard to sensor technology.

Panasonic FS25 vs Sony A550 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FS25 vs Sony A550 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FS25 vs Sony A550 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic FS25
Portrait photography with Sony A550
26
has face detect autofocus
no manual focus
manual exposure not available
no external flash support
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
72
manual focus
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
features face detection focus
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic FS25
Street photography with Sony A550
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
74
screen tilts
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FS25 as a Sports photography camera
Sony A550 as a Sports photography camera
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
max fps low (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
67
image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports phase detect auto focus
low battery (480 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FS25 Travel photography advice
Sony A550 Travel photography advice
51
built-in flash
does not have Timelapse function
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
wide angle not fantastic (29mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
52
resolution is good (14MP)
flash built-in
lack of Timelapse mode
low battery (480 shots)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FS25 Landscape photography factors
Sony A550 Landscape photography factors
32
decent sized screen (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (29mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
manual exposure not available
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
does not have Timelapse function
66
manual focus
switch lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen size is good (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW files
low battery (480 per charge)
lack of Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FS25 Vlogging advice
Sony A550 Vlogging advice
28
built in image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect autofocus
wide angle not fantastic (29mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is not selfie friendly
video res low (640 x 480 pxls)
does not have microphone support
9
can't shoot video
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Panasonic FS25 vs Sony A550 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FS25 and Sony A550
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS25Sony Alpha DSLR-A550
General Information
Brand Panasonic Sony
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS25 Sony Alpha DSLR-A550
Type Small Sensor Compact Entry-Level DSLR
Introduced 2009-01-27 2009-12-09
Body design Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Chip - 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 area 27.7mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 14MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4000 x 3000 4592 x 3056
Highest native ISO 1600 12800
Highest boosted ISO 6400 -
Lowest native ISO 80 200
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens focal range 29-145mm (5.0x) -
Highest aperture f/3.3-5.9 -
Macro focus distance 5cm -
Amount of lenses - 143
Crop factor 5.9 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display sizing 3" 3"
Display resolution 230k dot 922k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.53x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 2.0 frames per sec 7.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 5.30 m 12.00 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync - 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) -
Highest video resolution 640x480 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
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 148 gr (0.33 lbs) 632 gr (1.39 lbs)
Dimensions 97 x 58 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 0.9") 137 x 104 x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 66
DXO Color Depth score not tested 21.9
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 11.8
DXO Low light score not tested 807
Other
Battery life - 480 pictures
Battery form - Battery Pack
Battery model - NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots Single Single
Retail price $230 $749