Panasonic LZ20 vs Sony W550
71 Imaging
38 Features
34 Overall
36
96 Imaging
36 Features
28 Overall
32
Panasonic LZ20 vs Sony W550 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 1600 (Increase to 6400)
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 25-525mm (F3.1-5.8) lens
- 499g - 120 x 76 x 80mm
- Revealed July 2012
- Replacement is Panasonic LZ30
(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
- Introduced July 2011
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide Panasonic LZ20 vs Sony W550 Overview
Let's take a more detailed look at the Panasonic LZ20 versus Sony W550, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Ultracompact by competitors Panasonic and Sony. The resolution of the LZ20 (16MP) and the W550 (14MP) is very close and both cameras boast the identical sensor size (1/2.3").
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firmsThe LZ20 was announced 12 months later than the W550 and they are both of a similar generation. Both of these cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic LZ20 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony W550 being a Ultracompact camera.
Before getting into a more detailed comparison, here is a quick summary of how the LZ20 grades versus the W550 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.
Mastering Nature Photography with a Digital Microscope Camera Panasonic LZ20 vs Sony W550 Gallery
This is a sample of the gallery pics for Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ20 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550. The whole galleries are provided at Panasonic LZ20 Gallery and Sony W550 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Panasonic LZ20 over the Sony W550
| LZ20 | W550 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Introduced | July 2012 | July 2011 | Fresher by 12 months | |
| Display resolution | 460k | 230k | Sharper display (+230k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sony W550 over the Panasonic LZ20
| W550 | LZ20 |
|---|
Common features in the Panasonic LZ20 and Sony W550
| LZ20 | W550 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manually focus | Lack of manual focusing | |||
| Display type | Fixed | Fixed | Fixed display | |
| Display size | 3" | 3" | Same display size | |
| Selfie screen | Lacking selfie screen | |||
| Touch friendly display | Lacking Touch friendly display |
Panasonic LZ20 vs Sony W550 Physical Comparison
When you are intending to carry your camera, you should factor its weight and proportions. The Panasonic LZ20 has physical measurements of 120mm x 76mm x 80mm (4.7" x 3.0" x 3.1") and a weight of 499 grams (1.10 lbs) and the Sony W550 has measurements of 94mm x 56mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7") and a weight of 110 grams (0.24 lbs).
See the Panasonic LZ20 versus Sony W550 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you are employing during that time. Below is a front view measurements comparison of the LZ20 compared to the W550.

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the LZ20 and W550 is 71 and 96 respectively.
Panasonic LZ20 vs Sony W550 Sensor Comparison
Oftentimes, it is very hard to see the difference in sensor sizing simply by researching a spec sheet. The photograph below will help provide you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the LZ20 and W550.
As you can see, each of the cameras come with the identical sensor size but not the same MP. You should expect to see the Panasonic LZ20 to provide you with greater detail with its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop photos a good deal more aggressively. The fresher LZ20 is going to have an advantage with regard to sensor technology.
Panasonic LZ20 vs Sony W550 Screen and ViewFinder
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Panasonic LZ20 vs Sony W550 Specifications
| Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ20 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Brand Name | Panasonic | Sony |
| Model type | Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ20 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550 |
| Category | Small Sensor Superzoom | Ultracompact |
| Revealed | 2012-07-18 | 2011-07-24 |
| Body design | SLR-like (bridge) | Ultracompact |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Chip | - | BIONZ |
| Sensor type | CCD | CCD |
| Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
| Sensor dimensions | 6.08 x 4.56mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
| Sensor area | 27.7mm² | 28.1mm² |
| Sensor resolution | 16 megapixels | 14 megapixels |
| Anti alias filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 4:3 and 16:9 |
| Max resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4320 x 3240 |
| Max native ISO | 1600 | 3200 |
| Max enhanced ISO | 6400 | - |
| Min native ISO | 100 | 80 |
| RAW data | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Manual focusing | ||
| Autofocus touch | ||
| Autofocus continuous | ||
| Autofocus single | ||
| Tracking autofocus | ||
| Autofocus selectice | ||
| Autofocus center weighted | ||
| Multi area autofocus | ||
| Live view autofocus | ||
| Face detect autofocus | ||
| Contract detect autofocus | ||
| Phase detect autofocus | ||
| Total focus points | 9 | 9 |
| Lens | ||
| Lens mount type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
| Lens zoom range | 25-525mm (21.0x) | 26-104mm (4.0x) |
| Maximum aperture | f/3.1-5.8 | f/2.7-5.7 |
| Macro focusing distance | 2cm | 5cm |
| Focal length multiplier | 5.9 | 5.8 |
| Screen | ||
| Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
| Display diagonal | 3 inch | 3 inch |
| Display resolution | 460 thousand dot | 230 thousand dot |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch operation | ||
| Display technology | TFT Screen LCD | Clear Photo LCD |
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder | None | None |
| Features | ||
| Min shutter speed | 15 seconds | 2 seconds |
| Max shutter speed | 1/2000 seconds | 1/1600 seconds |
| Continuous shutter speed | 1.0fps | 1.0fps |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Manually set exposure | ||
| Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
| Set white balance | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Inbuilt flash | ||
| Flash distance | 6.80 m | 3.80 m |
| Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync | Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync |
| Hot shoe | ||
| AE bracketing | ||
| White balance bracketing | ||
| Exposure | ||
| Multisegment | ||
| Average | ||
| Spot | ||
| Partial | ||
| AF area | ||
| Center weighted | ||
| Video features | ||
| Supported video resolutions | 1280 x 720p ( 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
| Max video resolution | 1280x720 | 1280x720 |
| Video format | Motion JPEG | MPEG-4 |
| Mic 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 | 499 grams (1.10 pounds) | 110 grams (0.24 pounds) |
| Physical dimensions | 120 x 76 x 80mm (4.7" x 3.0" x 3.1") | 94 x 56 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7") |
| DXO scores | ||
| DXO Overall rating | not tested | not tested |
| DXO Color Depth rating | not tested | not tested |
| DXO Dynamic range rating | not tested | not tested |
| DXO Low light rating | not tested | not tested |
| Other | ||
| Battery life | 380 pictures | - |
| Form of battery | Battery Pack | - |
| Battery ID | - | NP-BN1 |
| Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2) |
| Time lapse shooting | ||
| Storage media | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal | SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo |
| Storage slots | 1 | - |
| Retail cost | $250 | $119 |