• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 14.2 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 12,800
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600
  • Detailed specifications
  • Sony Alpha DSLR-A550
  • Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM1
Links
Prices:   Compare Prices
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor:    
Successor:   Panasonic GM5
GM1 vs GM5
General
Model Number: DSLR-A550 GM1
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: SLR Compact System Camera
Currently Manufactured: No No
Retail Price: $1049.99 $749.95
Street Price: $859.40 $479.00
Date Available: 2009-10-08 2013-11-15
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 32.2 oz (912 g)
includes batteries, kit lens
9.8 oz (279 g)
includes batteries, kit lens
Size: 5.4 x 4.1 x 3.3 in.
(137 x 104 x 84 mm)
3.9 x 2.2 x 1.2 in.
(99 x 55 x 30 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 16.0
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 3.77 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 66
DxO Color Depth Score (bits): 21.9 22.3
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): 11.8 11.7
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): 807 660
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)
4592 x 3448 (15.8 MP, 4:3),
4592 x 3064 (14.1 MP, 3:2),
4592 x 2584 (11.9 MP, 16:9),
3424 x 3424 (11.7 MP, 1:1),
3232 x 2424 (7.8 MP, 4:3),
3232 x 2160 (7.0 MP, 3:2),
3232 x 1824 (5.9 MP, Other),
2416 x 2416 (5.8 MP, 1:1),
2272 x 1704 (3.9 MP, 4:3),
2272 x 1520 (3.5 MP, Other),
1920 x 1080 (2.1 MP, 16:9),
1712 x 1712 (2.9 MP, 1:1),
1824 x 1368 (2.5 MP, 4:3),
1824 x 1216 (2.2 MP, 3:2),
1824 x 1024 (1.9 MP, 16:9),
1712 x 1712 (2.9 MP, 1:1)
Image File Format: JPEG, RAW JPEG (EXIF 2.3), RAW (RW2), RAW+JPEG
Continuous-mode frames/second: 6.7 9.9
Video Capture
Can take movies: No Yes
Movie Resolution: 1920x1080 (60i/​30p/​24p)
1280x720 (60p/​30p)
640x480 (30p)
Movie File Format:   AVCHD (Audio format: Dolby Digital 2ch) / MP4 (Audio format AAC 2ch)
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 VARIO 12-32mm f/3.5-5.6 ASPH. MEGA O.I.S. (H-FS12032); 8 elements in 7 groups (3 aspherical lenses, 1 ED)
Focal Length (35mm equivalent): 27 - 83mm 24 - 64mm
Focal Length (actual): 18 - 55mm 12 - 32mm
Zoom Ratio: 3.00x 2.67x
Aperture Range: f/3.5 - 22 (W), f/5.6 - ?? (T) f/3.5 (wide) / f/5.6 (tele) - f/22; 7 diaphragm blades (circular)
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 2x, 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: Face detection, AF Tracking, 23-area-focusing, 1-area-focusing, Pinpoint; Quick AF, Continuous AF, AF+MF, Eye Sensor AF, Touch AF/AE Function, Touch Pad AF, Touch shutter, Touch MF Assist
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 Yes
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 1,036,800 dots (345,600 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 25600
Minimum ISO (native): 200 200
ISO Settings: Auto (200-1600), 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400, 12800 Auto, Intelligent ISO, 125 (extended), 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400, 12800, 25600; in 1 or 1/3 EV steps
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Incandescent, Fluorescent, Flash, Custom Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Shade, Incandescent, Flash, White Set 1/2, Color Temperature Setting (2,500-10,000K in 100K steps)
Shutter Speed Range: 1/4000 - 30 sec 1/16000 - 60 sec
Bulb Mode: Yes No
Exposure Compensation: +/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 5.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: 40-segment Multi Segment, Center-weighted, Spot; (1200 zone evaluative metering in Live View) 1728-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: Clear Portrait, Silky Skin, Backlit Softness, 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, Handheld Nite Shot, Clear Night Portrait, Soft Image of a Flower, Appetizing Food, Cute Dessert, Freeze Animal Motion, Clear Sports Shot, Monochrome; Creative Control: Expressive, Retro, Old Days, High Key, Low Key, Sepia, Monochrome, Dynamic Monochrome, Rough Monochrome, Silky Monochrome, Impressive Art, High Dynamic, Cross Process, Toy Effect, Toy Pop, Bleach Bypass, Miniature Effect, Soft Focus, Fantasy, Star Filter, One Point Color, Sunshine
Self Timer: 2 or 10 seconds 2, 10, 3 shots in 10 seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer):   Yes
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-
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): 12.0 m / 39.4 ft. 4.0 m / 13.1 ft.
Flash Range Description: Lens dependent Lens dependent; GN=6 (ISO 200, m) / 4 (ISO 100, m)
Max Flash Sync: 1/160 1/50
Flash Exposure Compensation: +/- 2.0 EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 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:    
Dual Card Slots: No No
RAW Capture Support: Yes Yes
Uncompressed Format: RAW RAW (RW2), RAW+JPEG
Movie File Format:   AVCHD (Audio format: Dolby Digital 2ch) / MP4 (Audio format AAC 2ch)
Included Memory:   No memory included
Included Memory Type:    
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: No Yes
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,WiFi
PictBridge Compliant: Yes Yes
DPOF Compliant: Yes Yes
Remote Control: Yes Yes
Remote Control Type: Optional Wireless or Wired Via Wi-Fi
Connections (extended): DC input, mini-HDMI, Wired Remote Micro HDMI (Type-D)
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): 0.41 0.49
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame): 0.41 0.50
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames): 19  
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot):   0.56
Camera penalizes early shutter press? No No
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 6.7 9.9
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): 15 10
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps):   10.3
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames):   7
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps):   10.3
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames):   7
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid): 0.18 seconds 0.19 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 0.101 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash): 0.22 seconds 0.34 seconds
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.074 seconds 0.087 seconds
Shutter Lag (notes): Quick AF Live View shutter lag: 0.188s Full AF lag, Multi-area AF mode = 0.212s
Startup Time: 0.5 seconds 0.9 seconds
Play -> Record Time: 0.4 seconds 0.7 seconds
Flash cycle time, full power: 3.5 seconds 3.2 seconds
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View):   230 shots
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF): 950 shots  
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary NP-FM500H Proprietary 7.2v, 680mAh
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: Yes
Internal Charging Supported: No
Software
Included Software: Software/USB Driver CD-ROM PHOTOfunSTUDIO 9.2 AE, SILKYPIX Developer Studio 4.1 SE, LoiloScope (trial)
OS Compatibility: Windows 2000/XP/Vista, Mac OS X (v. 10.13+) PHOTOfunSTUDIO and LoiloScope: Windows XP/Vista/7/8; SILKYPIX: Windows XP/Vista/7/8, Mac OS X 10.4-10.8
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). GX7 image quality in a much smaller package, retractable kit lens, touchscreen LCD, Full HD video up to 60i, 10fps full-res burst mode, built-in Wi-Fi, magnesium alloy frame.