Panasonic SZ7 vs Sony A55

Lets take a closer look at the Panasonic SZ7 vs Sony A55, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by brands Panasonic and Sony. The image resolution of the SZ7 (14MP) and the A55 (16MP) is very close but the SZ7 (1/2.3") and A55 (APS-C) feature different sensor sizes.

Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

The SZ7 was announced 17 months later than the A55 making the cameras a generation apart from each other. The two cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic SZ7 being a Compact camera and the Sony A55 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before going in to a step-by-step comparison, below is a simple summation of how the SZ7 matches up versus the A55 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

This is a sample of the gallery pics for Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ7 & Sony SLT-A55. The whole galleries are provided at Panasonic SZ7 Gallery & Sony A55 Gallery.

For anyone who is going to carry your camera regularly, you'll have to take into account its weight and measurements. The Panasonic SZ7 provides physical dimensions of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") having a weight of 133 grams (0.29 lbs) while the Sony A55 has proportions of 124mm x 92mm x 85mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 3.3") having a weight of 500 grams (1.10 lbs).

Look at the Panasonic SZ7 vs Sony A55 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Remember, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you choose at that time. Here is the front view over all size comparison of the SZ7 and the A55.

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the SZ7 and A55 is 95 and 67 respectively.

Often, it is very difficult to picture the gap in sensor sizing simply by viewing specifications. The visual underneath might provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the SZ7 and A55.

To sum up, both of the cameras offer different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The SZ7 having a smaller sensor is going to make achieving shallower DOF more difficult and the Sony A55 will result in more detail with its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will make it easier to crop photos a little more aggressively. The more recent SZ7 should have an advantage with regard to sensor tech.