Panasonic FH5 vs Panasonic SZ5
96 Imaging
38 Features
31 Overall
35


95 Imaging
37 Features
34 Overall
35
Panasonic FH5 vs Panasonic SZ5 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
- Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-FS18
(Full Review)
- 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 1600 (Increase 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

Panasonic FH5 vs Panasonic SZ5 Overview
Here is a in-depth comparison of the Panasonic FH5 and Panasonic SZ5, both Small Sensor Compact cameras and both are manufactured by Panasonic. The image resolution of the FH5 (16MP) and the SZ5 (14MP) is relatively comparable and they possess the exact same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

The FH5 was revealed 18 months before the SZ5 which makes the cameras a generation apart from each other. Each of the cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).
Before getting in to a more detailed comparison, below is a short view of how the FH5 matches up versus the SZ5 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Panasonic FH5 vs Panasonic SZ5 Gallery
Here is a preview of the gallery photos for Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH5 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5. The full galleries are provided at Panasonic FH5 Gallery and Panasonic SZ5 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Panasonic FH5 over the Panasonic SZ5
FH5 | SZ5 |
---|
Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ5 over the Panasonic FH5
SZ5 | FH5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | July 2012 | ![]() | January 2011 | Fresher by 18 months |
Screen dimension | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
Common features in the Panasonic FH5 and Panasonic SZ5
FH5 | SZ5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | No manual focusing | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | Identical screen resolution |
Selfie screen | ![]() | No selfie screen | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Neither comes with Touch screen |
Panasonic FH5 vs Panasonic SZ5 Physical Comparison
For anyone who is planning to carry your camera regularly, you will need to factor in its weight and measurements. The Panasonic FH5 comes with outer dimensions of 94mm x 54mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.7") with a weight of 121 grams (0.27 lbs) whilst the Panasonic SZ5 has proportions of 104mm x 58mm x 21mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 0.8") with a weight of 136 grams (0.30 lbs).
Examine the Panasonic FH5 and Panasonic SZ5 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you are employing during that time. Underneath is the front view measurement comparison of the FH5 compared to the SZ5.

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the FH5 and SZ5 is 96 and 95 respectively.

Panasonic FH5 vs Panasonic SZ5 Sensor Comparison
In many cases, it is very tough to see the difference in sensor sizing purely by seeing specifications. The visual underneath might give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the FH5 and SZ5.
To sum up, both the cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements albeit not the same megapixels. You should count on the Panasonic FH5 to show extra detail because of its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will let you crop shots somewhat more aggressively. The older FH5 will be behind with regard to sensor technology.

Panasonic FH5 vs Panasonic SZ5 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FH5 vs Panasonic SZ5 Specifications
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH5 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Make | Panasonic | Panasonic |
Model | Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH5 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5 |
Otherwise known as | Lumix DMC-FS18 | - |
Type | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Compact |
Released | 2011-01-05 | 2012-07-18 |
Physical type | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | 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 | 16 megapixel | 14 megapixel |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Maximum resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4320 x 3240 |
Maximum native ISO | 6400 | 1600 |
Maximum boosted ISO | - | 6400 |
Min native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW format | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch to focus | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detect focus | ||
Contract detect focus | ||
Phase detect focus | ||
Number of focus points | 11 | 23 |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 28-112mm (4.0x) | 25-250mm (10.0x) |
Maximum aperture | f/3.1-6.5 | f/3.1-5.9 |
Macro focus range | 5cm | 5cm |
Crop factor | 5.9 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display sizing | 2.7" | 3" |
Display resolution | 230 thousand dots | 230 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch functionality | ||
Display technology | - | TFT Screen LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 60 secs | 8 secs |
Highest shutter speed | 1/1600 secs | 1/1600 secs |
Continuous shooting rate | 4.0 frames per second | 2.0 frames per second |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash range | 3.30 m | 5.60 m |
Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync |
External flash | ||
AEB | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
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) |
Maximum video resolution | 1280x720 | 1280x720 |
Video file format | Motion JPEG | MPEG-4 |
Mic port | ||
Headphone port | ||
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 proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 121 grams (0.27 lb) | 136 grams (0.30 lb) |
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 score | not tested | not tested |
DXO Color Depth score | not tested | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range score | not tested | not tested |
DXO Low light score | not tested | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery life | 260 photos | 250 photos |
Type of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 secs) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal |
Card slots | Single | Single |
Pricing at launch | $169 | $195 |