Panasonic XS1 vs Sony A550
97 Imaging
39 Features
26 Overall
33


63 Imaging
53 Features
65 Overall
57
Panasonic XS1 vs Sony A550 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 6400
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 24-120mm (F2.8-6.9) lens
- 103g - 94 x 54 x 14mm
- Revealed January 2013
(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
- Released December 2009
- Succeeded the Sony A100

Panasonic XS1 vs Sony A550 Overview
Lets take a deeper look at the Panasonic XS1 versus Sony A550, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by brands Panasonic and Sony. The image resolution of the XS1 (16MP) and the A550 (14MP) is pretty similar but the XS1 (1/2.3") and A550 (APS-C) enjoy totally different sensor sizes.

The XS1 was brought out 3 years after the A550 which is quite a big gap as far as technology is concerned. Both of these cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic XS1 being a Compact camera and the Sony A550 being a Compact SLR camera.
Before getting through a comprehensive comparison, below is a concise summation of how the XS1 grades versus the A550 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Panasonic XS1 vs Sony A550 Gallery
The following is a preview of the gallery images for Panasonic Lumix DMC-XS1 and Sony Alpha DSLR-A550. The entire galleries are provided at Panasonic XS1 Gallery and Sony A550 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Panasonic XS1 over the Sony A550
XS1 | A550 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | January 2013 | ![]() | December 2009 | More modern by 38 months |
Reasons to pick Sony A550 over the Panasonic XS1
A550 | XS1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | Dial precise focusing | ||
Screen type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting screen |
Screen sizing | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
Screen resolution | 922k | ![]() | 230k | Sharper screen (+692k dot) |
Common features in the Panasonic XS1 and Sony A550
XS1 | A550 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Selfie screen | ![]() | Absent selfie screen | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Absent Touch screen |
Panasonic XS1 vs Sony A550 Physical Comparison
For anybody who is looking to carry around your camera regularly, you are going to need to think about its weight and proportions. The Panasonic XS1 features exterior measurements of 94mm x 54mm x 14mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.6") with a weight of 103 grams (0.23 lbs) while the Sony A550 has measurements 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 XS1 versus Sony A550 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you choose at that time. The following is the front view sizing comparison of the XS1 versus the A550.

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the XS1 and A550 is 97 and 63 respectively.

Panasonic XS1 vs Sony A550 Sensor Comparison
Typically, it is hard to visualise the contrast between sensor sizes just by reading specifications. The image here might offer you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the XS1 and A550.
Plainly, both of those cameras offer different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The XS1 because of its tinier sensor will make shooting bokeh more difficult and the Panasonic XS1 will deliver more detail having its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will help you crop shots a little more aggressively. The more recent XS1 will have an edge in sensor innovation.

Panasonic XS1 vs Sony A550 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic XS1 vs Sony A550 Specifications
Panasonic Lumix DMC-XS1 | Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Make | Panasonic | Sony |
Model type | Panasonic Lumix DMC-XS1 | Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 |
Type | Small Sensor Compact | Entry-Level DSLR |
Revealed | 2013-01-07 | 2009-12-09 |
Body design | Compact | Compact SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | - | 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 surface area | 27.7mm² | 365.0mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16 megapixels | 14 megapixels |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | - | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Max resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4592 x 3056 |
Max native ISO | 6400 | 12800 |
Min native ISO | 100 | 200 |
RAW support | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
AF touch | ||
Continuous AF | ||
Single AF | ||
Tracking AF | ||
AF selectice | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
AF multi area | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detection AF | ||
Contract detection AF | ||
Phase detection AF | ||
Total focus points | - | 9 |
Cross type focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | fixed lens | Sony/Minolta Alpha |
Lens zoom range | 24-120mm (5.0x) | - |
Maximum aperture | f/2.8-6.9 | - |
Macro focusing range | 5cm | - |
Available lenses | - | 143 |
Crop factor | 5.9 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Screen size | 2.7 inches | 3 inches |
Screen resolution | 230 thousand dot | 922 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch operation | ||
Screen tech | TFT LCD | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | Optical (pentamirror) |
Viewfinder coverage | - | 95% |
Viewfinder magnification | - | 0.53x |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 60 seconds | 30 seconds |
Max shutter speed | 1/1600 seconds | 1/4000 seconds |
Continuous shutter speed | 1.0fps | 7.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | - | Yes |
Change WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | 4.40 m | 12.00 m |
Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless |
Hot shoe | ||
AEB | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Max flash sync | - | 1/160 seconds |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) | - |
Max video resolution | 1280x720 | None |
Video format | Motion JPEG | - |
Microphone input | ||
Headphone input | ||
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 proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 103 gr (0.23 pounds) | 632 gr (1.39 pounds) |
Dimensions | 94 x 54 x 14mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.6") | 137 x 104 x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall rating | not tested | 66 |
DXO Color Depth rating | not tested | 21.9 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | not tested | 11.8 |
DXO Low light rating | not tested | 807 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 260 images | 480 images |
Type of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | - | NP-FM500H |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal | SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
Storage slots | One | One |
Pricing at release | $130 | $749 |