Sony A55 vs Panasonic GF5

Sony A55 advantages over Panasonic GF5

• Larger sensor
  APS-C vs 4/3
  More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
• Eye-level viewfinder
  Eye-level vs Rear display only
  You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
• In-Camera Image Stabilization
  Yes vs No
  Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
• In-camera panoramas
  Yes vs No
  Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
• Tiltable Screen
  Tiltable vs Fixed
  Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
• Fast startup
  ~0.90 vs 1.4 sec
  Faster startup lets you catch the moment
• Higher effective ISO

  Higher effective ISO

  Maximum effective ISO is an estimate of the highest sensitivity at which a camera can capture excellent quality photos.

  Cameras with higher effective ISO will be better choices for indoor photography, night shooting, and indoor sports photography, especially if you intend to make large prints.

  You can learn more at our glossary entry.

  Maximum effective ISO test data courtesy of DxO Mark.

  A55 test data on DxO Mark GF5 test data on DxO Mark
  818 vs 618 iso
  Take photos in low light with less noise
• Built-in GPS
  GPS vs None
  Geotag your photos
• External Mic Jack
  Jack vs No jack
  Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
• Hot shoe
  Hot shoe vs None
  Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
• More pixels
  16.2 vs 12.1 megapixels
  Higher resolution photos
• Bulb shutter
  Bulb vs No bulb
  Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
• Faster JPEG shooting
  9.0 fps vs 4.0 fps
  Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
• Bigger JPEG buffer
  32 vs 5 shots
  Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
• Higher extended ISO
  25600 vs 12800 ISO
  Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility