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Casio EX-ZR300 vs Panasonic SZ5

Portability
92
Imaging
39
Features
50
Overall
43
Casio Exilim EX-ZR300 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5 front
Portability
95
Imaging
37
Features
34
Overall
35

Casio EX-ZR300 vs Panasonic SZ5 Key Specs

Casio EX-ZR300
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-300mm (F3.0-5.9) lens
  • 205g - 105 x 59 x 29mm
  • Announced May 2012
Panasonic SZ5
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Boost to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 136g - 104 x 58 x 21mm
  • Announced July 2012
Photography Glossary

Casio EX-ZR300 vs Panasonic SZ5 Overview

In this write-up, we will be comparing the Casio EX-ZR300 versus Panasonic SZ5, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Casio and Panasonic. The image resolution of the EX-ZR300 (16MP) and the SZ5 (14MP) is pretty well matched and they come with the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The EX-ZR300 was revealed within a month of the SZ5 and they are both of a similar age. Both the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before we go through a in-depth comparison, below is a simple introduction of how the EX-ZR300 matches up vs the SZ5 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Casio EX-ZR300 over the Panasonic SZ5

 EX-ZR300 SZ5 
Manually focus Very accurate focus
Screen resolution461k230kCrisper screen (+231k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ5 over the Casio EX-ZR300

 SZ5 EX-ZR300 

Common features in the Casio EX-ZR300 and Panasonic SZ5

 EX-ZR300 SZ5 
AnnouncedMay 2012July 2012Similar age
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen dimensions
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Missing Touch friendly screen

Casio EX-ZR300 vs Panasonic SZ5 Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to carry your camera often, you're going to have to think about its weight and size. The Casio EX-ZR300 offers external dimensions of 105mm x 59mm x 29mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") and a weight of 205 grams (0.45 lbs) whilst the Panasonic SZ5 has specifications of 104mm x 58mm x 21mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 0.8") having a weight of 136 grams (0.30 lbs).

Check the Casio EX-ZR300 versus Panasonic SZ5 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are working with at that moment. Here is the front view physical size comparison of the EX-ZR300 compared to the SZ5.

Casio EX-ZR300 vs Panasonic SZ5 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the EX-ZR300 and SZ5 is 92 and 95 respectively.

Casio EX-ZR300 vs Panasonic SZ5 top view buttons comparison

Casio EX-ZR300 vs Panasonic SZ5 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is very hard to imagine the gap between sensor sizing merely by looking at a spec sheet. The photograph below will help give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the EX-ZR300 and SZ5.

As you can see, both of those cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit different MP. You can expect the Casio EX-ZR300 to give you more detail because of its extra 2MP. Higher resolution can also let you crop shots a little more aggressively.

Casio EX-ZR300 vs Panasonic SZ5 sensor size comparison

Casio EX-ZR300 vs Panasonic SZ5 Screen and ViewFinder

Casio EX-ZR300 vs Panasonic SZ5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Casio EX-ZR300 Portrait photography features
Panasonic SZ5 Portrait photography features
39
you can focus manually
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
external flash not possible
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
33
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
comes with face detection autofocus
manual focus not available
no manual exposure
external flash not possible
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Casio EX-ZR300 Street photography info
Panasonic SZ5 Street photography info
62
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition in class (205g)
no articulating screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (136g)
screen does not articulate
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Casio EX-ZR300 Sports photography advice
Panasonic SZ5 Sports photography advice
55
great zoom range (24-300mm 12.5 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
features tracking autofocus
better than average battery pack (500 shots)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
39
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
comes with tracking autofocus
max fps low (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Casio EX-ZR300 Travel photography advice
Panasonic SZ5 Travel photography advice
71
better than average battery pack (500 per charge)
lighter than competition in class (205 grams)
MP count decent (16MP)
built-in flash
pretty wide (24mm)
great zoom (300mm)
missing Time Lapse function
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
70
lighter than competition (136 grams)
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
great reach (250mm)
does not have Time Lapse recording
does not offer selfie friendly screen
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Casio EX-ZR300 Landscape photography info
Panasonic SZ5 Landscape photography info
52
you can focus manually
pretty wide (24mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count decent (16MP)
better than average battery pack (500 shots)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
missing Time Lapse function
42
pretty wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
no manual exposure
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
does not have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Casio EX-ZR300 Vlogging highlights
Panasonic SZ5 Vlogging highlights
33
pretty wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition in class (205g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
screen isn't selfie friendly
missing external mic socket
32
pretty wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detection autofocus
lighter than competition (136 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have external mic support
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Casio EX-ZR300 vs Panasonic SZ5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Casio EX-ZR300 and Panasonic SZ5
 Casio Exilim EX-ZR300Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5
General Information
Brand Name Casio Panasonic
Model type Casio Exilim EX-ZR300 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2012-05-22 2012-07-18
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Exilim Engine HS -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 4320 x 3240
Highest native ISO 3200 1600
Highest enhanced ISO - 6400
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points - 23
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-300mm (12.5x) 25-250mm (10.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.0-5.9 f/3.1-5.9
Macro focusing distance 1cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3" 3"
Screen resolution 461 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology Super Clear TFT color LCD TFT Screen LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15 seconds 8 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shutter rate - 2.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 4.70 m 5.60 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (15, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 120 fps), 512 x 384 (30, 240 fps), 224 x 160 (480 fps) 224 x 64 (1000 fps) 1280 x 720p ( 30,25 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format H.264 MPEG-4
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 205g (0.45 lb) 136g (0.30 lb)
Dimensions 105 x 59 x 29mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") 104 x 58 x 21mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 0.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 500 pictures 250 pictures
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NP-130 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 seconds, Triple) Yes (2 or 10 secs)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Cost at release $329 $195