Panasonic ZS5 vs Sony A55

Let's take a more detailed look at the Panasonic ZS5 versus Sony A55, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by manufacturers Panasonic and Sony. There is a sizable difference among the sensor resolutions of the ZS5 (12MP) and A55 (16MP) and the ZS5 (1/2.3") and A55 (APS-C) enjoy different sensor size.

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The ZS5 was unveiled 2 months earlier than the A55 which means that they are both of a similar age. Both cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic ZS5 being a Compact camera and the Sony A55 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before going straight into a in-depth comparison, below is a simple highlight of how the ZS5 grades vs the A55 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

The following is a preview of the gallery images for Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5 & Sony SLT-A55. The full galleries are viewable at Panasonic ZS5 Gallery & Sony A55 Gallery.

If you're going to lug around your camera, you will have to factor its weight and measurements. The Panasonic ZS5 offers external measurements of 103mm x 60mm x 32mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") having a weight of 214 grams (0.47 lbs) and 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).

Contrast the Panasonic ZS5 versus Sony A55 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you use during that time. Here is the front view dimension comparison of the ZS5 compared to the A55.

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the ZS5 and A55 is 92 and 67 respectively.

Generally, it's tough to imagine the contrast in sensor measurements only by viewing specs. The photograph below will help offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the ZS5 and A55.

All in all, each of the cameras posses different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The ZS5 with its smaller sensor is going to make shooting shallow depth of field tougher and the Sony A55 will result in more detail having an extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop pictures somewhat more aggressively.