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

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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

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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
  • $965
  • 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
  • $965
  • 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
  • $965
  • 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
  • $965
  • 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)
  • $965
  • 1 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen
  • $899
  • 1 inch

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

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