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Panasonic S5 vs Sony RX10 IV

Portability
60
Imaging
76
Features
92
Overall
82
Panasonic Lumix DC-S5 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 IV front
Portability
52
Imaging
53
Features
82
Overall
64

Panasonic S5 vs Sony RX10 IV Key Specs

Panasonic S5
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.0" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Boost to 204800)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Leica L Mount
  • 714g - 133 x 97 x 82mm
  • Announced August 2020
  • New Model is Panasonic S5 II
Sony RX10 IV
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 125 - 12800 (Push to 25600)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 24-600mm (F2.4-4.0) lens
  • 1095g - 133 x 94 x 145mm
  • Revealed September 2017
  • Succeeded the Sony RX10 III
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Panasonic S5 vs Sony RX10 IV Overview

In this write-up, we will be evaluating the Panasonic S5 vs Sony RX10 IV, one is a Pro Mirrorless and the latter is a Large Sensor Superzoom by brands Panasonic and Sony. The resolution of the S5 (24MP) and the RX10 IV (20MP) is pretty well matched but the S5 (Full frame) and RX10 IV (1") feature different sensor sizes.

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The S5 was introduced 2 years after the RX10 IV which is quite a serious gap as far as tech is concerned. Both of these cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic S5 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony RX10 IV being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before getting straight into a complete comparison, below is a simple summary of how the S5 matches up versus the RX10 IV with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic S5 over the Sony RX10 IV

 S5 RX10 IV 
RevealedAugust 2020September 2017More modern by 36 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating screen
Screen resolution1840k1440kClearer screen (+400k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Sony RX10 IV over the Panasonic S5

 RX10 IV S5 

Common features in the Panasonic S5 and Sony RX10 IV

 S5 RX10 IV 
Manual focus More precise focus
Screen sizing3.0"3"Equivalent screen dimensions
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Panasonic S5 vs Sony RX10 IV Physical Comparison

For anyone who is intending to carry around your camera, you have to take into account its weight and volume. The Panasonic S5 has outside dimensions of 133mm x 97mm x 82mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 3.2") with a weight of 714 grams (1.57 lbs) whilst the Sony RX10 IV has sizing of 133mm x 94mm x 145mm (5.2" x 3.7" x 5.7") having a weight of 1095 grams (2.41 lbs).

See the Panasonic S5 vs Sony RX10 IV in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are utilizing at that time. Following is the front view measurements comparison of the S5 and the RX10 IV.

Panasonic S5 vs Sony RX10 IV size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the S5 and RX10 IV is 60 and 52 respectively.

Panasonic S5 vs Sony RX10 IV top view buttons comparison

Panasonic S5 vs Sony RX10 IV Sensor Comparison

Often, it is very hard to picture the contrast between sensor sizes purely by checking specs. The image below should give you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the S5 and RX10 IV.

All in all, both of the cameras enjoy different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The S5 using its bigger sensor is going to make achieving shallow DOF easier and the Panasonic S5 will give more detail using its extra 4MP. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop photographs far more aggressively. The fresher S5 provides a benefit when it comes to sensor innovation.

Panasonic S5 vs Sony RX10 IV sensor size comparison

Panasonic S5 vs Sony RX10 IV Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic S5 vs Sony RX10 IV Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic S5 Portrait photography details
Sony RX10 IV Portrait photography details
85
manual focus
decent megapixels (24 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
has face detect focusing
supports RAW formats
71
focusing manually
above average flash sync speed (1/2,000 seconds)
MP count good (20 megapixels)
decent sensor size (1")
includes face detect focusing
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Panasonic S5 Street photography highlights
Sony RX10 IV Street photography highlights
78
fully articulated screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
supports RAW formats
provides touch to focus
weather sealing
very good ISO range (51,200)
64
tilting screen
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor size (1")
exports RAW formats
includes focus by touch
environment proofing
heavier than average (1,095g)
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic S5 Sports photography factors
Sony RX10 IV Sports photography factors
81
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
silent mode (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent megapixels (24MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
has tracking focus
weather sealing
lacks phase detect AF
76
excellent zoom range (24-600mm 25.0 x zoom)
quiet shooting (1/32,000 seconds)
fast continuous shooting (24.0 fps)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (20MP)
decent sensor size (1")
includes tracking focus
environment proofing
has phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic S5 Travel photography advice
Sony RX10 IV Travel photography advice
79
weather sealing
connects via bluetooth
provides touch to focus
decent megapixels (24 megapixels)
selfie friendly screen
56
environment proofing
connects via bluetooth
includes focus by touch
MP count good (20 megapixels)
has built in flash
quite wide (24mm)
very long reach (600mm)
no Time Lapse function
heavier than average (1,095g)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.4)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic S5 Landscape photography details
Sony RX10 IV Landscape photography details
86
manual focus
swap lenses (Leica L mount)
screen size is good (3.0 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent megapixels (24 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
doesnt have anti aliasing filter
very good ISO range (51,200)
supports RAW formats
weather sealing
has double storage slots
62
focusing manually
quite wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (20MP)
decent sensor size (1")
exports RAW formats
environment proofing
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.4)
no Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic S5 as a Vlogging camera
Sony RX10 IV as a Vlogging camera
79
selfie friendly screen
touch screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
has face detect focusing
high quality video (3840 x 2160 resolution)
does have mic port
29
quite wide (24mm)
built-in touchscreen
has image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detect focusing
high video quality (3840 x 2160 pxls)
has mic jack
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.4)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
heavier than average (1,095g)
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Panasonic S5 vs Sony RX10 IV Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic S5 and Sony RX10 IV
 Panasonic Lumix DC-S5Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 IV
General Information
Brand Panasonic Sony
Model type Panasonic Lumix DC-S5 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 IV
Type Pro Mirrorless Large Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2020-08-14 2017-09-12
Body design SLR-style mirrorless SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Processor - Bionz X
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Full frame 1"
Sensor dimensions 35.6 x 23.8mm 13.2 x 8.8mm
Sensor area 847.3mm² 116.2mm²
Sensor resolution 24MP 20MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 6000 x 4000 5472 x 3648
Highest native ISO 51200 12800
Highest boosted ISO 204800 25600
Minimum native ISO 100 125
RAW photos
Minimum boosted ISO 50 64
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 225 315
Lens
Lens support Leica L fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 24-600mm (25.0x)
Largest aperture - f/2.4-4.0
Macro focusing distance - 3cm
Available lenses 31 -
Focal length multiplier 1 2.7
Screen
Range of display Fully Articulated Tilting
Display diagonal 3.0 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 1,840 thousand dot 1,440 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 2,360 thousand dot 2,359 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x 0.7x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/8000s 1/2000s
Highest quiet shutter speed 1/8000s 1/32000s
Continuous shooting speed 7.0fps 24.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 10.80 m (at Auto ISO)
Flash modes Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced On/Red-eye Reduction, Slow Sync, Slow Sync w/Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off Auto, fill-flash, slow sync, rear sync, off
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/250s 1/2000s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 60p / 200 Mbps, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160 (30p, 25p, 24p), 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 24p) ,1440 x 1080 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Highest video resolution 3840x2160 3840x2160
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264, H.265 MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB Yes (can be charged with high-power laptop/tablet chargers or portable power banks) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 714 gr (1.57 lb) 1095 gr (2.41 lb)
Dimensions 133 x 97 x 82mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 3.2") 133 x 94 x 145mm (5.2" x 3.7" x 5.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 440 photos 400 photos
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-FW50
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec, continuous)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD Memory Card, SDHC Memory Card, SDXC Memory Card SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots 2 Single
Retail cost $1,999 $1,698