The Kodak Pixpro FZ45 and FZ55 have been two of the best-selling cameras of the last couple of years - and for obvious reasons. Costing around $100 / £100 a piece, they are two of the most affordable compact cameras that you can buy. At the same time, after years of decline in popularity, point-and-shoot digital cameras have become in high demand again at a time Kodak was one of the few manufacturers making cameras of this type at this price.
On the surface of it, the FZ45 and FZ55 are really similar to each other. But although they have lots of important features in common - there are some significant differences that you should consider when weighing up which of the two you should buy…
Kodak Pixpro FZ45 vs FZ55 - Price
The first big difference between the two is the recommended retail price – with the FZ55 on paper costing $20 / £20 more than the FZ45.
In practice, however, the pricing is often closer than this – not least because of their popularity, both of these cameras has continually been in short supply. And this has meant that sometimes it is the scarcest of the two that in practice becomes the more expensive.
You will also find that some color versions of the two cameras will be more expensive – again depending on availability.
The colour choices between the models vary slightly too. The Pixpro FZ45 comes in white, black or burgundy. The Pixpro FZ55, meanwhile, comes in blue, black or burgundy.
Kodak Pixpro FZ45 vs FZ55 - Batteries
One of the most significant differences between the two cameras is the batteries. The FZ45 uses two standard AA batteries - and a pair of these are supplied in the box to get you started. Each set of batteries should allow you to take up to 120 photos (or 60 mins of video).
The FZ55 on the other hand uses, rechargeable power pack. This 700mAh lithium pack is removable - so you could carry a spare should you be worried about it running out of charge at an important event. It is charged in the camera itself via a micro USB connector and should give you up to 200 shots (or 90 mins of video) between charges.
Having a rechargeable battery could prove more economical over the long run - but it is possible to use rechargeable AA batteries in the FZ45 should you so wish.
Kodak Pixpro FZ45 vs FZ55 - Design
Look at the FZ45 and FZ45 from the back, and the two cameras look like identical twins. But the designs are significantly different if you look at them from above. That's because the FZ45 has a bulbous grip on the right-hand side (as you hold it), while the FZ55 has an arguably more sophisticated design with a completely flat front panel. Which you prefer is probably just a matter of taste.
The other design difference is that if you want a white camera, the only choice is the FZ45. Similarly, the blue colorway is only an option with the FZ55.
Kodak Pixpro FZ45 vs FZ55 - Zoom
The older FZ55 camera offers a 5x built-in zoom lens, whilst the more recent FZ45 makes do with a slightly shorter 4x zoom.
If you dig a bit deeper into the specs, you find the FZ45 features a 4.9-19.6mm f/3.0-6.6, while the FZ55 uses a 5.1-25.5mm f/3.9-6.3.
With both cameras using the same 1/2.3in sensor - the equivalent focal length in traditional 35mm terms a 27-108mm on the FZ45, and a 28-140mm on the FZ55. So you get a bit more telephoto reach on the FZ55, and a mite more wideangle view on the FZ45. The difference is negligible - but the longer zoom would be of some use for photographing things such as events.
The FZ55 also gives you more digital zoom offering a 6x magnification, compared to just 4x on the FZ45. But do bear in mind that this digital zoom is just cropping in on the image, so you are essentially losing resolution when you use this feature.
Take a look at the best Kodak cameras and the best point-and shoot camera alternatives
Also check out our full Kodak FZ45 review and FZ55 review for the full specifications, verdicts and sample images with these cameras
