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Panasonic FH2 vs Panasonic SZ5

Portability
96
Imaging
36
Features
33
Overall
34
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH2 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5 front
Portability
95
Imaging
37
Features
34
Overall
35

Panasonic FH2 vs Panasonic SZ5 Key Specs

Panasonic FH2
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-112mm (F3.1-6.5) lens
  • 121g - 94 x 54 x 19mm
  • Announced January 2011
  • Other Name is Lumix DMC-FS16
Panasonic SZ5
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • 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
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Panasonic FH2 vs Panasonic SZ5 Overview

Let's look much closer at the Panasonic FH2 versus Panasonic SZ5, both Small Sensor Compact cameras and they are both offered by Panasonic. The resolution of the FH2 (14MP) and the SZ5 (14MP) is very comparable and they use the same exact sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The FH2 was revealed 18 months prior to the SZ5 making the cameras a generation apart from each other. Both the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before diving through a complete comparison, below is a quick overview of how the FH2 scores vs the SZ5 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FH2 over the Panasonic SZ5

 FH2 SZ5 

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ5 over the Panasonic FH2

 SZ5 FH2 
AnnouncedJuly 2012January 2011Fresher by 18 months
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")

Common features in the Panasonic FH2 and Panasonic SZ5

 FH2 SZ5 
Focus manually No manual focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kSame display resolution
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither provides Touch friendly display

Panasonic FH2 vs Panasonic SZ5 Physical Comparison

For those who are intending to carry your camera often, you'll need to factor its weight and size. The Panasonic FH2 provides exterior dimensions of 94mm x 54mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.7") along with a weight of 121 grams (0.27 lbs) whilst the Panasonic SZ5 has specifications of 104mm x 58mm x 21mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 0.8") accompanied by a weight of 136 grams (0.30 lbs).

See the Panasonic FH2 versus Panasonic SZ5 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you choose during that time. Below is the front view dimensions comparison of the FH2 versus the SZ5.

Panasonic FH2 vs Panasonic SZ5 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the FH2 and SZ5 is 96 and 95 respectively.

Panasonic FH2 vs Panasonic SZ5 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FH2 vs Panasonic SZ5 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it's tough to envision the contrast in sensor sizing only by going through specs. The visual here might offer you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the FH2 and SZ5.

As you can plainly see, both the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing and the same exact megapixels therefore you should expect comparable quality of photos although you need to consider the release date of the cameras into account. The older FH2 will be disadvantaged in sensor technology.

Panasonic FH2 vs Panasonic SZ5 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FH2 vs Panasonic SZ5 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FH2 vs Panasonic SZ5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FH2 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic SZ5 as a Portrait photography camera
33
MP count decent (14MP)
supports face detection focusing
lack of manual focus
no manual control
can't use external flash
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
33
good resolution (14MP)
includes face detect focusing
manual focus not available
no manual mode
cannot use external flash
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FH2 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic SZ5 as a Street photography camera
66
image stabilization (Optical)
has touch to focus
lighter than others (121g)
no moving screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
63
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (136g)
screen is fixed
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FH2 Sports photography info
Panasonic SZ5 Sports photography info
43
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
supports tracking autofocus
better than average battery pack (270 per charge)
continuous shooting slow (4.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
39
has image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (14MP)
includes tracking focus
slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FH2 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic SZ5 as a Travel photography camera
72
better than average battery pack (270 CIPA)
lighter than others (121 grams)
has touch to focus
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
rather wide (28mm)
lack of Time Lapse mode
does not feature selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
70
lighter than competition (136g)
good resolution (14MP)
flash built-in
quite wide (25mm)
great reach (250mm)
missing Time Lapse recording
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FH2 Landscape photography info
Panasonic SZ5 Landscape photography info
40
rather wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
better than average battery pack (270 shots)
lack of manual focus
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
tiny screen (2.7")
no manual control
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
lack of Time Lapse mode
42
quite wide (25mm)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (14MP)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
no manual mode
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
missing Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FH2 Vlogging factors
Panasonic SZ5 Vlogging factors
32
rather wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detection focusing
lighter than others (121g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of external mic port
32
quite wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detect focusing
lighter than competition (136 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing mic support
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Panasonic FH2 vs Panasonic SZ5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FH2 and Panasonic SZ5
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH2Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5
General Information
Brand Panasonic Panasonic
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH2 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5
Otherwise known as Lumix DMC-FS16 -
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2011-01-05 2012-07-18
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Venus Engine IV -
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 14 megapixel
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 4320 x 3240 4320 x 3240
Highest native ISO 6400 1600
Highest boosted ISO - 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 11 23
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-112mm (4.0x) 25-250mm (10.0x)
Max aperture f/3.1-6.5 f/3.1-5.9
Macro focusing range 5cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.9
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 2.7 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display technology - TFT Screen LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 seconds 8 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 4.0 frames per second 2.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 3.30 m 5.60 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction 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 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1280 x 720p ( 30,25 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None 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 121 gr (0.27 lbs) 136 gr (0.30 lbs)
Dimensions 94 x 54 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.7") 104 x 58 x 21mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 0.8")
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 270 pictures 250 pictures
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 secs)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Price at launch $149 $195