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Panasonic XS1 vs Sony A550

Portability
97
Imaging
39
Features
26
Overall
33
Panasonic Lumix DMC-XS1 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 front
Portability
63
Imaging
53
Features
65
Overall
57

Panasonic XS1 vs Sony A550 Key Specs

Panasonic XS1
(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
Sony A550
(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
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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.

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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.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic XS1 over the Sony A550

 XS1 A550 
ReleasedJanuary 2013December 2009More modern by 38 months

Reasons to pick Sony A550 over the Panasonic XS1

 A550 XS1 
Manual focus Dial precise focusing
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution922k230kSharper 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Panasonic XS1 vs Sony A550 size comparison

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

Panasonic XS1 vs Sony A550 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Panasonic XS1 vs Sony A550 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic XS1 vs Sony A550 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic XS1 Portrait photography advice
Sony A550 Portrait photography advice
30
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
manual mode not available
no external flash support
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
71
you can focus manually
megapixel count decent (14MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
comes with face detect autofocus
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic XS1
Street photography with Sony A550
64
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (103g)
no articulating screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
74
has a tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic XS1 Sports photography info
Sony A550 Sports photography info
40
image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16MP)
includes tracking autofocus
max fps very slow (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
66
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect autofocus
not so great battery pack (480 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic XS1
Travel photography with Sony A550
69
lighter than average (103g)
decent megapixels (16MP)
flash built-in
really wide (24mm)
missing Timelapse mode
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
51
megapixel count decent (14MP)
built-in flash
no Timelapse mode
not so great battery pack (480 per charge)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic XS1 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony A550 as a Landscape photography camera
38
really wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
manual mode not available
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
missing Timelapse mode
66
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (14MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
not so great battery pack (480 shots)
no Timelapse mode
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic XS1
Vlogging with Sony A550
31
really wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (103g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing external microphone socket
9
no video shooting
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Panasonic XS1 vs Sony A550 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic XS1 and Sony A550
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-XS1Sony 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