• 35mm 855.6mm2
  • 24.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600
  • 1 inch 116.2mm2
  • 20.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 480.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Sony A99 advantages over Panasonic FZ2500

  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs 1 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.97 vs 2.41 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Fast startup
    ~0.70 vs 2.3 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 500 vs 350 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • Thinner
    78 mm vs 134 mm
    Thinner
  • More pixels
    24.3 vs 20.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Higher extended ISO
    51200 vs 25600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Panasonic FZ2500 advantages over Sony A99

  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (DCI) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Integrated ND filter
    Yes vs No
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/4000 vs 1/250 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Newer
    8 years vs 12 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    11.4 fps vs 5.9 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    100 vs 17 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    10.6 fps vs 5.9 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    35 vs 18 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/8000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • Focus peaking
    Both provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Both provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • In-camera panoramas
    Both provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • RAW file ability
    Both provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • External Mic Jack
    Both provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Headphone jack
    Both provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony A99
Body Only
All A99 Deals

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Panasonic FZ2500
Panasonic FZ2500 (Black)
All FZ2500 Deals

Review Excerpt

  • Rugged camera body with many physical controls; Generally excellent image quality & high ISO performance for its class; Versatile zoom lens; Fast and accurate autofocus; Unlimited 4K video recording; Fast full-res burst mode with generous buffers.

  • Continuous autofocus performance struggles at telephoto end; Slow buffer clearing (no UHS-II support); Lens produces soft corners at most focal lengths.

  • Read our Panasonic FZ2500 Review

The Competition

Compared to Nikon D800

Sony A99
Nikon D800
  • $1998
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
  • $1850
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup

Compare Sony A99 vs Nikon D800

Panasonic FZ2500
Nikon D800
  • $899
  • 1 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
  • $1850
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic FZ2500 vs Nikon D800

Compared to Canon 5D Mark III

Sony A99
Canon 5D Mark III
  • $1998
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $2079
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup

Compare Sony A99 vs Canon 5D Mark III

Panasonic FZ2500
Canon 5D Mark III
  • $899
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Less expensive
  • $2079
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic FZ2500 vs Canon 5D Mark III

Compared to Nikon D800E

Sony A99
Nikon D800E
  • $1998
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $2212
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup

Compare Sony A99 vs Nikon D800E

Panasonic FZ2500
Nikon D800E
  • $899
  • 1 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
  • $2212
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic FZ2500 vs Nikon D800E

Compared to Panasonic FZ1000

Sony A99
Panasonic FZ1000
  • $1998
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $773
  • 1 inch
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Sony A99 vs Panasonic FZ1000

Panasonic FZ2500
Panasonic FZ1000
  • $899
  • 1 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $773
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup

Compare Panasonic FZ2500 vs Panasonic FZ1000

Compared to Leica V-LUX (Typ 114)

Sony A99
Leica V-LUX (Typ 114)
  • $1998
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor
  • $899
  • 1 inch
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Sony A99 vs Leica V-LUX (Typ 114)

Panasonic FZ2500
Leica V-LUX (Typ 114)
  • $899
  • 1 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen
  • $899
  • 1 inch

Compare Panasonic FZ2500 vs Leica V-LUX (Typ 114)

Compare Other Cameras?