Clicky

Panasonic FH20 vs Sony NEX-5R

Portability
93
Imaging
36
Features
21
Overall
30
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH20 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-5R front
Portability
89
Imaging
57
Features
76
Overall
64

Panasonic FH20 vs Sony NEX-5R Key Specs

Panasonic FH20
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-224mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 178g - 100 x 56 x 28mm
  • Revealed January 2010
  • Also referred to as Lumix DMC-FS30
Sony NEX-5R
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 276g - 111 x 59 x 39mm
  • Released August 2012
  • Superseded the Sony NEX-5N
  • Successor is Sony NEX-5T
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Panasonic FH20 vs Sony NEX-5R Overview

In this write-up, we are matching up the Panasonic FH20 versus Sony NEX-5R, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by manufacturers Panasonic and Sony. The resolution of the FH20 (14MP) and the NEX-5R (16MP) is very similar but the FH20 (1/2.3") and NEX-5R (APS-C) feature different sensor sizing.

Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

The FH20 was introduced 3 years before the NEX-5R and that is quite a big difference as far as tech is concerned. Each of these cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic FH20 being a Compact camera and the Sony NEX-5R being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go straight into a comprehensive comparison, below is a brief summary of how the FH20 matches up versus the NEX-5R for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic FH20 over the Sony NEX-5R

 FH20 NEX-5R 

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5R over the Panasonic FH20

 NEX-5R FH20 
ReleasedAugust 2012January 2010More recent by 32 months
Manual focus Dial precise focus
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution920k230kSharper display (+690k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Panasonic FH20 and Sony NEX-5R

 FH20 NEX-5R 
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen

Panasonic FH20 vs Sony NEX-5R Physical Comparison

When you are intending to lug around your camera regularly, you will have to factor its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic FH20 features outer measurements of 100mm x 56mm x 28mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 178 grams (0.39 lbs) and the Sony NEX-5R has dimensions of 111mm x 59mm x 39mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") having a weight of 276 grams (0.61 lbs).

Take a look at the Panasonic FH20 versus Sony NEX-5R in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you choose at the time. Following is the front view dimension comparison of the FH20 and the NEX-5R.

Panasonic FH20 vs Sony NEX-5R size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the FH20 and NEX-5R is 93 and 89 respectively.

Panasonic FH20 vs Sony NEX-5R top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FH20 vs Sony NEX-5R Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it's difficult to imagine the contrast between sensor measurements merely by going over specs. The photograph underneath may provide you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the FH20 and NEX-5R.

As you can plainly see, each of the cameras offer different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The FH20 having a tinier sensor is going to make achieving bokeh harder and the Sony NEX-5R will offer more detail using its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also let you crop pics a little more aggressively. The older FH20 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor innovation.

Panasonic FH20 vs Sony NEX-5R sensor size comparison

Panasonic FH20 vs Sony NEX-5R Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FH20 vs Sony NEX-5R Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FH20 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony NEX-5R as a Portrait photography camera
28
decent MP (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
manual exposure not possible
cannot use external flash
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
74
you can focus manually
MP count good (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic FH20
Street photography with Sony NEX-5R
56
image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
80
screen tilts up and down
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
comes with touch to focus
good ISO range (25,600)
lack of image stabilization
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic FH20
Sports photography with Sony NEX-5R
34
image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (14MP)
slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
68
MP count good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
offers tracking autofocus
comes with phase detect AF
lack of image stabilization
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Travel Comparison

Panasonic FH20 Travel photography highlights
Sony NEX-5R Travel photography highlights
64
decent MP (14MP)
has built in flash
pretty wide (28mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
does not have a selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
73
comes with touch to focus
MP count good (16MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FH20 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony NEX-5R as a Landscape photography camera
37
pretty wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (14MP)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
manual exposure not possible
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
75
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Sony E mount)
nice screen size (3")
MP count good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
good ISO range (25,600)
delivers RAW files
lack of image stabilization
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FH20 Vlogging factors
Sony NEX-5R Vlogging factors
28
pretty wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have external mic support
31
touchscreen capability
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
display isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
no external microphone jack
Photography Glossary

Panasonic FH20 vs Sony NEX-5R Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FH20 and Sony NEX-5R
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH20Sony Alpha NEX-5R
General Information
Make Panasonic Sony
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH20 Sony Alpha NEX-5R
Also referred to as Lumix DMC-FS30 -
Category Small Sensor Compact Entry-Level Mirrorless
Revealed 2010-01-06 2012-08-29
Body design Compact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip - Bionz
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4320 x 3240 4912 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 6400 25600
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 9 99
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Sony E
Lens focal range 28-224mm (8.0x) -
Maximum aperture f/3.3-5.9 -
Macro focus distance 5cm -
Amount of lenses - 121
Crop factor 5.9 1.5
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Tilting
Display diagonal 2.7 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 230k dot 920k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display tech - Tilt Up 180� Down 50� TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic (optional)
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/1600s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter speed 5.0 frames per second 10.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 5.80 m (Auto ISO) no built-in flash
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync - 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG AVCHD
Microphone input
Headphone input
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 seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 178 gr (0.39 lbs) 276 gr (0.61 lbs)
Dimensions 100 x 56 x 28mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.1") 111 x 59 x 39mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 78
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.7
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 13.1
DXO Low light score not tested 910
Other
Battery life - 330 pictures
Battery format - Battery Pack
Battery model - NPFW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images))
Time lapse recording With downloadable app
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots 1 1
Pricing at release $179 $750