Panasonic Lumix DMC-F5 vs Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX20: A Hands-On Comparison of Compact Powerhouses

Choosing the perfect compact camera often feels like threading a needle - balancing size, image quality, versatility, and price. Today, I take a deep dive into two small sensor compacts released in the early 2010s: Panasonic’s Lumix DMC-F5 and Sony’s Cyber-shot DSC-TX20. Both offer distinct approaches to compact photography - yet their feature sets and performances target subtly different needs. As someone who has logged hundreds of hours testing compacts across varied shooting conditions, I’ll walk you through how these two compare across technical specs, real-world usability, and specialized photographic disciplines.

Let’s start by putting their physical footprints side by side for an initial impression.

Form Factor and Handling: Size Isn’t Just a Number

Both the Panasonic F5 and Sony TX20 play in the pocket-friendly arena but adopt different ergonomics philosophies. The Panasonic F5 is a bit chunkier (97 x 58 x 22 mm, 121 g) compared to the Sony TX20’s sleeker ultracompact profile (96 x 56 x 18 mm, 133 g). This extra girth in the F5 translates into a more solid hand feel, which I appreciated during longer shooting sessions, especially when aiming for steady shots without a tripod.

One notable design contrast - while the F5 lacks touchscreen controls typical of the era, the TX20 embraces a “XtraFine TruBlack” 3-inch touchscreen display that immediately elevates interactivity. Navigating menus and focusing via touch on the Sony feels modern and intuitive. Meanwhile, the smaller 2.7-inch TFT screen of the Panasonic feels dated - both in resolution (230k pixels) and input method - which might frustrate users accustomed to fluid touch interfaces.

Examining the top control layouts (see image below) illustrates that neither camera tries to overwhelm you with buttons - both lean on minimalism. Yet the Sony’s touchscreen compensates through software-driven flexibility.

Ergonomics Verdict: If you prioritize a sturdy grip and simplicity, the Panasonic F5’s slightly larger body works better. Conversely, the Sony TX20’s sleekness combined with touchscreen input makes it a breeze for quick composition and review, ideal when discretion is critical.

Sensor and Image Quality: Digging into the Digital Heart

Beneath the hood, these compacts share the ubiquitous “1/2.3-inch” sensor class but diverge technologically.

• Panasonic F5: Utilizes a 14MP CCD sensor, a tried-and-true technology renowned through the 2000s for producing pleasing color rendition, albeit with some tradeoffs in noise performance at higher ISOs. The sensor’s modest resolution (4320 x 3240 pixels) and CCD’s inherent slower readout limit burst speed and video capabilities.

• Sony TX20: Boasts a 16MP backside illuminated (BSI) CMOS sensor. This newer architecture significantly improves light sensitivity, noise handling, and dynamic range at base ISOs. The TX20's 4608 x 3456 resolution naturally extracts more detail, particularly beneficial for landscapes or detailed subjects.

In practice, the Sony’s sensor delivers a cleaner image at higher ISO settings (up to ISO 3200) and better dynamic range, especially noticeable when recovering shadows in landscape scenes. The Panasonic’s CCD produces slightly warmer tones, which some portrait shooters might prefer for skin rendering but loses detail in dimly lit environments due to higher noise levels hidden by the sensor’s max ISO of 6400.

Viewing and Composing: Screen and Viewfinder Comparison

Neither model provides a built-in viewfinder, a factor that might dissuade street photographers seeking eye-level framing. Instead, we rely entirely on their LCD screens.

The Sony TX20’s 3-inch 922k-dot XtraFine TruBlack TFT touchscreen is a revelation for compact cameras of its time. It offers bright color reproduction with good viewing angles and touch responsiveness, facilitating tap-to-focus and quick setting access. For users who rely on live view composition, this is a huge plus.

On the flip side, the Panasonic F5’s 2.7-inch 230k-dot TFT LCD feels constrained and less vibrant. The lack of touch controls means navigating settings can become an exercise in button poking.

For photographers who often shoot outdoors in bright sun or require instant setting changes, the Sony provides a more satisfying live shooting experience.

Autofocus and Burst Performance: Catching the Decisive Moment

How responsive and reliable autofocus is matters greatly across genres, especially wildlife and sports photography.

• The Panasonic F5 features contrast-detection autofocus with single, continuous, and tracking modes, though focus point configuration is limited. Its burst speed is a sluggish 1 fps, unsurprising given the CCD sensor and processing constraints.

• Sony TX20 offers continuous AF with touch-to-focus capabilities and aface detection, lending confidence when shooting moving subjects. It accelerates to 10 fps burst shooting, a remarkable rate for an ultracompact, enhancing keeper odds with fast action.

Though neither camera is a dedicated sports shooter, in practical terms, the Sony’s AF agility and rapid burst translate to quicker lock-on and better sequence captures. I found the Panasonic to be more suited to still subjects or slower-moving scenes.

Lens and Optical Performance: Zoom Range and Macro Differentiators

• The Panasonic’s fixed lens covers a 28-140mm (5x) zoom range with a variable max aperture of f/3.2-6.5.

• The Sony’s lens spans 25-100mm (4x), with an aperture of f/3.5-4.6.

While the Panasonic offers higher telephoto reach, the slower aperture at the long end limits low-light use and depth of field control. The Sony’s shorter zoom is offset by a notably close macro focus range of just 1cm vs Panasonic’s 5cm, enabling richer close-ups - magnification enthusiasts and flower photographers will appreciate this capability.

Another decisive factor is Sony’s inclusion of optical image stabilization, which effectively reduces blur from hand shake, especially critical at telephoto extremes or low shutter speeds. The Panasonic lacks this feature, hampering sharpness in challenging light.

Specialized Shooting Challenges: Performance Across Genres

I’ve taken both cameras on a variety of photographic missions to evaluate their strengths and shortcomings.

Portraiture

Within the small sensor realm, achieving natural skin tones and flattering bokeh is a challenge. The Panasonic’s CCD sensor delivers warm, pleasing skin tone reproduction - a quality I personally appreciate for casual portraiture, especially in natural light. However, the slower lens aperture and missing image stabilization complicate low light shooting.

The Sony TX20 provides cleaner images with less noise but tends to render colors slightly cooler. Its face detection autofocus improved eye sharpness reliability, although bokeh control remains modest given the small sensor and fixed lens.

Landscape Photography

Sony’s superior resolution, BSI-CMOS sensor, and dynamic range edge out Panasonic here. The TX20 captures greater scene detail with more latitude in shadow recovery - a key asset for outdoor enthusiasts shooting panoramas or HDRs. Plus, the Sony’s environmental sealing lends confidence when braving less-than-ideal weather.

Wildlife and Sports

Neither camera is tailored for high-velocity action, but Sony’s 10 fps burst and faster autofocus helped in sporadic bird or pet shooting sessions. The Panasonic was too slow to maintain focus or capture intermittent movement well.

Street Photography

Compact size and discretion are vital here. The Sony’s ultra-slim profile, quieter operation, and touchscreen quick controls better support candid, unobtrusive shooting. The Panasonic’s bulkier body and slower operational cadence could be limiting in the fast-paced urban environment.

Macro

Sony’s impressive 1cm macro range paired with image stabilization allows for pin-sharp details at minimal subject distance. Panasonic’s 5cm minimum gives less flexibility for extreme close-ups.

Night/Astro

Low-light capability heavily favors the Sony, thanks to superior sensor technology and lens stabilization. The Panasonic’s CCD introduces visible noise and limited ISO range, constraining its astrophotography potential.

Video

Panasonic limits video to 720p at 30 fps in Motion JPEG - a dated codec with larger file sizes and lower compression efficiency. Sony offers superior 1080p at 60 fps in AVCHD/MPEG-4 formats, delivering smoother motion and better quality for casual videographers.

Reliability, Build, and Battery

Panasonic’s construction lacks weather sealing and has no environmental protections, which can hurt its durability in challenging locations.

Sony offers environmental sealing, an unusual and noteworthy feature for an ultracompact, increasing confidence for travel and outdoor shoots.

Both cameras run on battery packs good for around 250 shots - typical for the class - but Sony’s slightly larger body presumably handles heat and power management a bit better during continuous video.

Connectivity and Storage

Sony’s Eye-Fi card compatibility lets you wirelessly transfer images - a convenience feature for rapid sharing. Panasonic has no wireless options.

Both cameras accept SD cards, but Sony adds Memory Stick formats, adding ecosystem flexibility.

Visual Evidence: Real Shoot Comparisons

Inspecting sample images shot side by side across lighting conditions and subjects reveals the Sony TX20 pulls ahead in sharpness and dynamic range, while the Panasonic F5 occasionally surprises with warmer color tones.

Panasonic F5 front Panasonic F5 screen back Sony TX20 front Sony TX20 screen back

Scores at a Glance: Overall and Genre-Specific Performance

Our expert lab compiled comprehensive ratings across metrics to quantify strengths.

Value and Buy Recommendations

• Panasonic Lumix DMC-F5

  • Pros: Warp-speed simplicity, favorable for casual portraiture, inexpensive.
  • Cons: No stabilization, poor video/video codec, dated controls.
  • Ideal for: Buyers prioritizing basic snapshot photography, beginner users wanting ultra-simple operation on a budget, and those valuing warmer image tones.

• Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX20

  • Pros: Superior sensor tech, optical stabilization, high-res touchscreen, better video.
  • Cons: Higher price, limited zoom, no Viewfinder.
  • Ideal for: Enthusiasts wanting a pocket powerhouse with versatile photo/video options, travelers and street photographers who appreciate compact size and robust handling.

Final Thoughts

After extensive hands-on testing, the Sony TX20’s technical advantages and thoughtful features make it the clear leader for users seeking a versatile, high-performing compact camera. Its modern sensor, highly responsive AF, environmental sealing, and video capabilities satisfy a broad range of photographic applications - from landscapes to street candid shots and closer macro work.

However, the Panasonic F5 carves out its own niche. Its straightforward controls, lighter price point, and warmer color science can appeal as a no-fuss point-and-shoot, particularly for casual shooters on a tight budget who want the convenience of a built-in 5x zoom.

Ultimately, the decision hinges on your photographic priorities: do you value image quality, shooting versatility, and modern features, or prefer simple operation with cost savings? Both cameras embody compelling attributes, yet the Sony TX20’s balance of performance and compactness places it ahead for most enthusiasts ready to confidently step into the world of high-quality compacts.

Appendix: Detailed Specifications Summary

If you’re in the market for a compact that punches above its weight in modern features and photo quality, I recommend the Sony TX20 as the best overall pick. For those on a tight budget or looking for an ultra-simple ‘grab and shoot’ device, the Panasonic F5 still deserves consideration.

Happy shooting!