Panasonic FH5 vs Panasonic S3
96 Imaging
38 Features
31 Overall
35


96 Imaging
37 Features
24 Overall
31
Panasonic FH5 vs Panasonic S3 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 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
- Released January 2011
- Other Name is Lumix DMC-FS18
(Full Review)
- 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 6400
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 28-112mm (F3.1-5.6) lens
- 117g - 99 x 59 x 21mm
- Revealed January 2011

Panasonic FH5 vs Panasonic S3 Overview
The following is a extended assessment of the Panasonic FH5 vs Panasonic S3, both Small Sensor Compact cameras and both are offered by Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the FH5 (16MP) and the S3 (14MP) is relatively close and they enjoy the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

The FH5 was manufactured within a month of the S3 so they are of a similar generation. Both cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).
Before delving through a step-by-step comparison, below is a simple highlight of how the FH5 matches up versus the S3 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Panasonic FH5 vs Panasonic S3 Gallery
Here is a preview of the gallery photos for Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH5 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3. The entire galleries are viewable at Panasonic FH5 Gallery and Panasonic S3 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Panasonic FH5 over the Panasonic S3
FH5 | S3 |
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Reasons to pick Panasonic S3 over the Panasonic FH5
S3 | FH5 |
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Common features in the Panasonic FH5 and Panasonic S3
FH5 | S3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | January 2011 | ![]() | January 2011 | Same generation |
Manual focus | ![]() | No manual focus | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen sizing | 2.7" | ![]() | 2.7" | Equivalent screen dimensions |
Screen resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | Equal screen resolution |
Selfie screen | ![]() | No selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Neither provides Touch friendly screen |
Panasonic FH5 vs Panasonic S3 Physical Comparison
In case you're planning to travel with your camera, you're going to have to factor in its weight and proportions. The Panasonic FH5 provides external dimensions of 94mm x 54mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.7") and a weight of 121 grams (0.27 lbs) whilst the Panasonic S3 has measurements of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") accompanied by a weight of 117 grams (0.26 lbs).
Check out the Panasonic FH5 vs Panasonic S3 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are working with at that moment. Underneath is the front view size comparison of the FH5 and the S3.

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the FH5 and S3 is 96 and 96 respectively.

Panasonic FH5 vs Panasonic S3 Sensor Comparison
Sometimes, it is very hard to visualise the contrast in sensor dimensions just by viewing a spec sheet. The image below may offer you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the FH5 and S3.
Clearly, both of these cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same MP. You should count on the Panasonic FH5 to result in extra detail due to its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop shots far more aggressively.

Panasonic FH5 vs Panasonic S3 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FH5 vs Panasonic S3 Specifications
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH5 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Panasonic | Panasonic |
Model type | Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH5 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 |
Otherwise known as | Lumix DMC-FS18 | - |
Category | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Compact |
Released | 2011-01-05 | 2011-01-05 |
Physical type | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | Venus Engine IV | Venus Engine IV |
Sensor type | CCD | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor measurements | 6.08 x 4.56mm | 6.08 x 4.56mm |
Sensor area | 27.7mm² | 27.7mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16MP | 14MP |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Highest resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4320 x 3240 |
Highest native ISO | 6400 | 6400 |
Min native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW photos | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
AF touch | ||
Continuous AF | ||
AF single | ||
AF tracking | ||
Selective AF | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
AF multi area | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detect AF | ||
Contract detect AF | ||
Phase detect AF | ||
Total focus points | 11 | 11 |
Lens | ||
Lens support | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 28-112mm (4.0x) | 28-112mm (4.0x) |
Maximal aperture | f/3.1-6.5 | f/3.1-5.6 |
Macro focusing range | 5cm | 5cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.9 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Type of display | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display diagonal | 2.7" | 2.7" |
Display resolution | 230k dots | 230k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch operation | ||
Display tech | - | TFT LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 60 seconds | 8 seconds |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/1600 seconds | 1/1600 seconds |
Continuous shooting rate | 4.0fps | 2.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Set WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash distance | 3.30 m | 3.30 m |
Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction |
Hot shoe | ||
AE 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 720 (30fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
Highest video resolution | 1280x720 | 1280x720 |
Video format | Motion JPEG | MPEG-4 |
Microphone port | ||
Headphone port | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 121g (0.27 pounds) | 117g (0.26 pounds) |
Dimensions | 94 x 54 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.7") | 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" 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 | 260 photographs | 250 photographs |
Battery type | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Storage type | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal |
Card slots | Single | Single |
Price at launch | $169 | $110 |