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Panasonic LZ20 vs Sony W550

Portability
71
Imaging
38
Features
34
Overall
36
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ20 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550 front
Portability
96
Imaging
36
Features
28
Overall
32

Panasonic LZ20 vs Sony W550 Key Specs

Panasonic LZ20
(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
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
  • Introduced July 2011
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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").

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The 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.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic LZ20 over the Sony W550

 LZ20 W550 
IntroducedJuly 2012July 2011Fresher by 12 months
Display resolution460k230kSharper 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 typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display size3"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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Panasonic LZ20 vs Sony W550 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the LZ20 and W550 is 71 and 96 respectively.

Panasonic LZ20 vs Sony W550 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Panasonic LZ20 vs Sony W550 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic LZ20 vs Sony W550 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic LZ20
Portrait photography with Sony W550
36
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
comes with face detect focus
manual focus not available
no external flash support
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
28
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
no manual focus
manual exposure not possible
external flash not possible
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Panasonic LZ20 Street photography info
Sony W550 Street photography info
45
has image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
heavier than competition in class (499g)
57
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic LZ20 Sports photography factors
Sony W550 Sports photography factors
46
long zoom range (25-525mm 21.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
comes with tracking focus
better than average battery life (380 shots)
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
34
built in image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
continuous shooting slow (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic LZ20 Travel photography info
Sony W550 Travel photography info
58
better than average battery life (380 shots)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (25mm)
great reach (525mm)
missing Time Lapse function
heavier than competition in class (499g)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
65
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
fairly wide (26mm)
missing Time Lapse mode
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic LZ20 Landscape photography advice
Sony W550 Landscape photography advice
45
reasonably wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
better than average battery life (380 shots)
manual focus not available
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
missing Time Lapse function
42
fairly wide (26mm)
good sized screen (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
no manual focus
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
manual exposure not possible
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
missing Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic LZ20 as a Vlogging camera
Sony W550 as a Vlogging camera
25
reasonably wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detect focus
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing mic support
heavier than competition in class (499 grams)
29
fairly wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
display is not selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing external mic port
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Panasonic LZ20 vs Sony W550 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic LZ20 and Sony W550
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ20Sony 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