Panasonic TS3 vs Sony A55

The following is a complete overview of the Panasonic TS3 and Sony A55, one is a Waterproof and the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by rivals Panasonic and Sony. There is a significant difference among the sensor resolutions of the TS3 (12MP) and A55 (16MP) and the TS3 (1/2.3") and A55 (APS-C) come with different sensor size.

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The TS3 was released 12 months after the A55 so they are of a similar generation. Both of the cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic TS3 being a Compact camera and the Sony A55 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before going through a detailed comparison, below is a concise highlight of how the TS3 grades vs the A55 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Here is a sample of the gallery pics for Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS3 and Sony SLT-A55. The complete galleries are available at Panasonic TS3 Gallery and Sony A55 Gallery.

For those who are looking to travel with your camera often, you'll need to think about its weight and volume. The Panasonic TS3 features external measurements of 103mm x 64mm x 27mm (4.1" x 2.5" x 1.1") along with a weight of 197 grams (0.43 lbs) while the Sony A55 has sizing of 124mm x 92mm x 85mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 3.3") having a weight of 500 grams (1.10 lbs).

See the Panasonic TS3 and Sony A55 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you choose at that moment. Underneath is the front view physical size comparison of the TS3 and the A55.

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the TS3 and A55 is 92 and 67 respectively.

Generally, its tough to visualize the gap in sensor dimensions simply by checking out a spec sheet. The image underneath may give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the TS3 and A55.

As you can see, both the cameras offer different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The TS3 featuring a smaller sensor is going to make getting shallow DOF more challenging and the Sony A55 will provide extra detail as a result of its extra 4MP. Greater resolution can also help you crop pics a little more aggressively. The younger TS3 should have an advantage in sensor innovation.