• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 14.2 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 12,800
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • ISO 160 - 6400
  • Detailed specifications
  • Sony Alpha DSLR-A550
  • Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF5
Links
Prices:   Compare Prices
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor:   Panasonic GF3
GF3 vs GF5
Successor:   Panasonic GF6
GF5 vs GF6
General
Model Number: DSLR-A550 GF5
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: SLR Compact System Camera
Currently Manufactured: No No
Retail Price: $1049.99 $749.00
Street Price: $859.40 $429.95
Date Available: 2009-10-08 2012-06-15
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 32.2 oz (912 g)
includes batteries, kit lens
12.8 oz (364 g)
includes batteries, kit lens
Size: 5.4 x 4.1 x 3.3 in.
(137 x 104 x 84 mm)
4.2 x 2.6 x 1.4 in.
(108 x 67 x 37 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CMOS Live MOS
Sensor Manufacturer: Sony Panasonic
Effective Megapixels: 14.2 12.1
Sensor Format: APS-C 4/3
Sensor size: 369.72mm2 (23.7mm x 15.6mm) 224.9mm2 (17.30mm x 13.00mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 5.16 microns 4.33 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: 1.5x 2.0x
Aspect Ratio: 3:2, 16:9 4:3
Color Filter Type: RGBG RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter: Fixed Fixed
Self-Cleaning: Yes Yes
Sensor shift image stabilization: Yes No
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No No
DxO Sensor Score: 66 61
DxO Color Depth Score (bits): 21.9 21.4
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): 11.8 11.6
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): 807 618
Image Capture
Image Resolution: 4592 x 3056 (14.0 MP, 3:2),
4592 x 2576 (11.8 MP, 16:9),
3344 x 2224 (7.4 MP, 3:2),
3344 x 1872 (6.3 MP, Other),
2288 x 1520 (3.5 MP, Other),
2288 x 1280 (2.9 MP, Other)
4000 x 3000 (12.0 MP, 4:3),
4000 x 2672 (10.7 MP, 3:2),
4000 x 2248 (9.0 MP, 16:9),
2816 x 2112 (5.9 MP, 4:3),
2816 x 1880 (5.3 MP, 3:2),
2816 x 1584 (4.5 MP, 16:9),
2992 x 2992 (9.0 MP, 1:1),
2112 x 2112 (4.5 MP, 1:1),
2048 x 1536 (3.1 MP, 4:3),
2048 x 1360 (2.8 MP, Other),
1920 x 1080 (2.1 MP, 16:9),
1504 x 1504 (2.3 MP, 1:1),
1600 x 1200 (1.9 MP, 4:3),
1600 x 1064 (1.7 MP, 3:2),
1600 x 904 (1.4 MP, Other),
1440 x 1440 (2.1 MP, 1:1)
Image File Format: JPEG, RAW JPEG (EXIF v2.3), MPO, RAW, RAW+JPEG
Continuous-mode frames/second: 6.7 4.0
Video Capture
Can take movies: No Yes
Movie Resolution: 1920x1080 (30p/​60i (sensor output is 30p))
1280x720 (60p/​30p)
640x480 (30p)
Movie File Format:   AVCHD (Audio format: Dolby Digital 2 ch) / MP4 (Audio format: AAC 2 ch)
Composite Video Out: No Yes
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: n/a No
Video Usable as Viewfinder: n/a No
HD Video Out: Yes Yes
HD Video Connection: HDMI HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: Sony Alpha (Minolta A) Micro Four Thirds
Lens: Sony 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 DT SAM Panasonic LUMIX G X VARIO PZ 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 ASPH/POWER O.I.S.
Focal Length (35mm equivalent): 27 - 83mm 28 - 84mm
Focal Length (actual): 18 - 55mm 14 - 42mm
Zoom Ratio: 3.00x 3.00x
Aperture Range: f/3.5 - 22 (W), f/5.6 - ?? (T) f/3.5 (W) / f/5.6 (T) - f/22
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range:   20 cm to Infinity
7.9 in to Infinity
Macro Focus Range:    
Filter Thread: 55.0mm 37.0mm
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: No Yes
Digital Zoom: No Yes
Digital Zoom Values: n/a Up to 4x
Auto Focus
Auto Focus: Yes Yes
Auto Focus Type: 9-point TTL phase detection (one cross-type sensor) with eye-start AF; Wide, Spot, Local modes Contrast detection with Face detect, AF tracking, 23-area, 1 area, Pinpoint
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes Yes
Manual Focus: Yes Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: Optical / LCD No / LCD
Viewfinder Type: SLR type; eye-level pentamirror, 95% coverage, 0.80x mag., 19mm eyepoint, -2.5 to +1.0 diopter  
Focus Peaking: No No
EVF Resolution: n/a n/a
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent): 0.53x  
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed): 0.80x  
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: Yes No
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 3.0 3.0
Rear Display Resolution: 921,600 dots 921,600 dots (307,200 px)
Touchscreen: No Yes
Articulating Screen: Yes No
Tilt Swivel Screen: No
Selfie Screen: No
Max Playback Zoom: 14.0x 16.0x
Top Deck Display: No No
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native): 12800 6400
Minimum ISO (native): 200 160
ISO Settings: Auto (200-1600), 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400, 12800 Auto, 160-6400 in 1/3EV steps, extendable to 12800; Intelligent ISO
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Incandescent, Fluorescent, Flash, Custom Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Shade, Incandescent, Flash, White Set 1, White Set 2, Color Temperature Setting
Shutter Speed Range: 1/4000 - 30 sec 1/4000 - 60 sec
Bulb Mode: Yes No
Exposure Compensation: +/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 3.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: 40-segment Multi Segment, Center-weighted, Spot; (1200 zone evaluative metering in Live View) 144-zone Intelligent Multiple, Center-weighted, Spot
Program Auto Exposure: Yes Yes
Aperture Priority: Yes Yes
Shutter Priority: Yes Yes
Full Manual Exposure: Yes Yes
Creative Exposure Modes: Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Sports, Sunset, Night Portrait/Night View Scene Guide: Clear Portrait, Silky Skin, Backlit Softness, Clear in Backlight, Relaxing Tone, Sweet Child's Face, Distinct Scenery, Bright Blue Sky, Romantic Sunset Glow, Vivid Sunset Glow, Glistening Water, Clear Nightscape, Cool Night Sky, Warm Glowing Nightscape, Artistic Nightscape, Glittering Illuminations, Clear Night Portrait, Soft Image of a Flower, Appetizing Food, Cute Dessert, Freeze Animal Motion, Clear Sports Shot, Monochrome; Creative Control: Expressive, Retro, High Key, Low Key, Sepia, Dynamic Monochrome, Impressive Art, High Dynamic, Cross Process, Toy Effect, Miniature Effect, One Point Color.
Self Timer: 2 or 10 seconds 2, 10, 10 (3 images) seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer):    
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: Yes Yes
Flash Modes: Auto, Fill-flash, Rear sync, Wireless, High-Speed sync, Slow sync, Red-eye reduction: On/Off Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced On/Red-eye Reduction, Slow Sync., Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): 12.0 m / 39.4 ft. 5.0 m / 16.4 ft.
Flash Range Description: Lens dependent Lens dependent; GN 6.3 (ISO 160, m)
Max Flash Sync: 1/160 1/160
Flash Exposure Compensation: +/- 2.0 EV in 0.3EV steps  
External Flash Connection: Hot shoe n/a
Built-In Wireless Flash Control: Full TTL exposure  
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: MS Duo / MS PRO Duo / SD / SDHC SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support:   UHS-I
Other Memory:   Compatible with UHS-I standard
Dual Card Slots: No No
RAW Capture Support: Yes Yes
Uncompressed Format: RAW RAW, RAW+JPEG
Movie File Format:   AVCHD (Audio format: Dolby Digital 2 ch) / MP4 (Audio format: AAC 2 ch)
Included Memory:   No memory included
Included Memory Type:    
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: No No
NFC: No
Bluetooth: No No
Built-In GPS: No No
Microphone Jack: No No
Headphone Jack: No No
External Connections: USB 2.0 High Speed USB 2.0 High Speed
PictBridge Compliant: Yes Yes
DPOF Compliant: Yes Yes
Remote Control: Yes No
Remote Control Type: Optional Wireless or Wired  
Connections (extended): DC input, mini-HDMI, Wired Remote Mini HDMI (Type C)
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): 0.41 0.45
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame): 0.41 0.42
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames): 19 4
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot):    
Camera penalizes early shutter press? No No
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 6.7 4.0
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): 15 5
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps):    
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames):    
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps):    
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames):    
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid): 0.18 seconds 0.18 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, tele):    
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter Lag (manual focus): 0.178 seconds 0.074 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash): 0.22 seconds 0.41 seconds
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.074 seconds 0.066 seconds
Shutter Lag (notes): Quick AF Live View shutter lag: 0.188s Full AF shutter lag, Wide-area = 0.189s
Startup Time: 0.5 seconds 1.4 seconds
Play -> Record Time: 0.4 seconds 0.6 seconds
Flash cycle time, full power: 3.5 seconds 4.8 seconds
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View):   330 shots
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF): 950 shots  
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary NP-FM500H Proprietary 7.2v 940mAh
Usable Battery Types: Lithium-ion rechargeable Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary NP-FM500H 1 x Proprietary Lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): Yes Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included:
Internal Charging Supported:
Software
Included Software: Software/USB Driver CD-ROM PHOTOfunSTUDIO 8.2 AE, SILKYPIX Developer Studio 3.1 SE, Super LoiloScope (trial), USB Driver
OS Compatibility: Windows 2000/XP/Vista, Mac OS X (v. 10.13+) Windows, Mac OS
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: Exmore CMOS Sensor, Variable-angle LCD, SteadyShot In-body Sensor-shift Image Stabilization, Live View, Auto HDR, D-Range Optimizer (Auto, Level 1-5), HDMI Output, 7 fps (AF/AE Locked). Newly developed 12.1-megapixel Live MOS sensor and redesigned Venus Engine. The noise reduction system includes a combination 3DNR (3D Noise Reduction) and MNR (Multi-process Noise Reduction). Available in black, white and red later this year.