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Panasonic FH3 vs Sony NEX-5R

Portability
94
Imaging
36
Features
21
Overall
30
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH3 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-5R front
Portability
89
Imaging
57
Features
76
Overall
64

Panasonic FH3 vs Sony NEX-5R Key Specs

Panasonic FH3
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F2.8-6.9) lens
  • 165g - 98 x 55 x 24mm
  • Launched January 2010
  • Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-FS11
Sony NEX-5R
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 276g - 111 x 59 x 39mm
  • Released August 2012
  • Replaced the Sony NEX-5N
  • Renewed by Sony NEX-5T
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Panasonic FH3 vs Sony NEX-5R Overview

Here is a complete assessment of the Panasonic FH3 versus Sony NEX-5R, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by manufacturers Panasonic and Sony. The resolution of the FH3 (14MP) and the NEX-5R (16MP) is pretty well matched but the FH3 (1/2.3") and NEX-5R (APS-C) enjoy different sensor sizing.

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The FH3 was manufactured 3 years before the NEX-5R and that is quite a large gap as far as technology is concerned. Both cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic FH3 being a Compact camera and the Sony NEX-5R being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving straight into a in depth comparison, below is a brief summary of how the FH3 matches up vs the NEX-5R with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FH3 over the Sony NEX-5R

 FH3 NEX-5R 

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5R over the Panasonic FH3

 NEX-5R FH3 
ReleasedAugust 2012January 2010Fresher by 32 months
Focus manually Very precise focusing
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen dimension3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution920k230kSharper screen (+690k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Panasonic FH3 and Sony NEX-5R

 FH3 NEX-5R 
Selfie screen No selfie screen

Panasonic FH3 vs Sony NEX-5R Physical Comparison

For anyone who is aiming to carry your camera, you need to factor its weight and proportions. The Panasonic FH3 provides physical measurements of 98mm x 55mm x 24mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") and a weight of 165 grams (0.36 lbs) and the Sony NEX-5R has measurements of 111mm x 59mm x 39mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") along with a weight of 276 grams (0.61 lbs).

Compare the Panasonic FH3 versus Sony NEX-5R in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you select at that time. Underneath is the front view dimension comparison of the FH3 compared to the NEX-5R.

Panasonic FH3 vs Sony NEX-5R size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the FH3 and NEX-5R is 94 and 89 respectively.

Panasonic FH3 vs Sony NEX-5R top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FH3 vs Sony NEX-5R Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it can be tough to visualize the contrast between sensor sizing purely by reading through technical specs. The photograph here will provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the FH3 and NEX-5R.

As you have seen, both of those cameras posses different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The FH3 because of its tinier sensor is going to make getting bokeh tougher and the Sony NEX-5R will resolve more detail due to its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop shots somewhat more aggressively. The older FH3 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor technology.

Panasonic FH3 vs Sony NEX-5R sensor size comparison

Panasonic FH3 vs Sony NEX-5R Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FH3 vs Sony NEX-5R Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FH3 Portrait photography features
Sony NEX-5R Portrait photography features
28
decent MP (14 megapixels)
no manual focus
manual exposure not available
no external flash support
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
74
has manual focus
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FH3 as a Street photography camera
Sony NEX-5R as a Street photography camera
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
80
screen tilts
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW files
supports focus via touch
very good high ISO (25,600)
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic FH3
Sports photography with Sony NEX-5R
34
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (14MP)
continuous shooting slow (6.0 fps)
no shutter priority
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
68
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
provides tracking focus
supports phase detect auto focus
lack of image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic FH3
Travel photography with Sony NEX-5R
64
decent MP (14MP)
flash built-in
really wide (28mm)
no Timelapse recording
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
73
supports focus via touch
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic FH3
Landscape photography with Sony NEX-5R
37
really wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (14MP)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
manual exposure not available
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
no Timelapse recording
75
has manual focus
swap lenses (Sony E mount)
nice screen size (3")
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
very good high ISO (25,600)
exports RAW files
lack of image stabilization
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FH3 as a Vlogging camera
Sony NEX-5R as a Vlogging camera
29
really wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
no external microphone support
31
built-in touchscreen
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
no mic port
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Panasonic FH3 vs Sony NEX-5R Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FH3 and Sony NEX-5R
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH3Sony Alpha NEX-5R
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Sony
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH3 Sony Alpha NEX-5R
Also referred to as Lumix DMC-FS11 -
Class Small Sensor Compact Entry-Level Mirrorless
Launched 2010-01-06 2012-08-29
Body design Compact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor - Bionz
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4320 x 3240 4912 x 3264
Highest native ISO 6400 25600
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 9 99
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Sony E
Lens focal range 28-140mm (5.0x) -
Highest aperture f/2.8-6.9 -
Macro focus distance 5cm -
Available lenses - 121
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen size 2.7 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 230k dot 920k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen technology - Tilt Up 180� Down 50� TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic (optional)
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 6.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 6.80 m no built-in flash
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash sync - 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported 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)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format Motion JPEG AVCHD
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 165g (0.36 lb) 276g (0.61 lb)
Dimensions 98 x 55 x 24mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") 111 x 59 x 39mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 images
Battery form - Battery Pack
Battery model - NPFW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images))
Time lapse feature With downloadable app
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots 1 1
Launch cost $160 $750