Panasonic FH5 vs Panasonic SZ7
96 Imaging
38 Features
31 Overall
35


95 Imaging
37 Features
41 Overall
38
Panasonic FH5 vs Panasonic SZ7 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 6400
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 28-112mm (F3.1-6.5) lens
- 121g - 94 x 54 x 19mm
- Launched January 2011
- Also Known as Lumix DMC-FS18
(Full Review)
- 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 6400
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
- 133g - 99 x 59 x 21mm
- Released January 2012

Panasonic FH5 vs Panasonic SZ7 Overview
In this article, we will be looking at the Panasonic FH5 versus Panasonic SZ7, both Small Sensor Compact cameras and both are produced by Panasonic. The image resolution of the FH5 (16MP) and the SZ7 (14MP) is relatively comparable and they possess the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

The FH5 was introduced 12 months earlier than the SZ7 so they are both of a similar age. The two cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).
Before getting through a detailed comparison, below is a brief summation of how the FH5 scores versus the SZ7 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Panasonic FH5 vs Panasonic SZ7 Gallery
This is a preview of the gallery photos for Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH5 & Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ7. The whole galleries are available at Panasonic FH5 Gallery & Panasonic SZ7 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Panasonic FH5 over the Panasonic SZ7
FH5 | SZ7 |
---|
Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ7 over the Panasonic FH5
SZ7 | FH5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | January 2012 | ![]() | January 2011 | More recent by 12 months |
Screen sizing | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
Screen resolution | 460k | ![]() | 230k | Clearer screen (+230k dot) |
Common features in the Panasonic FH5 and Panasonic SZ7
FH5 | SZ7 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | Lack of manual focusing | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | No selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Neither provides Touch friendly screen |
Panasonic FH5 vs Panasonic SZ7 Physical Comparison
When you are aiming to lug around your camera often, you will have to think about its weight and measurements. The Panasonic FH5 provides outside measurements of 94mm x 54mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.7") having a weight of 121 grams (0.27 lbs) while the Panasonic SZ7 has proportions of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") having a weight of 133 grams (0.29 lbs).
See the Panasonic FH5 versus Panasonic SZ7 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you are employing during that time. The following is the front view overall size comparison of the FH5 vs the SZ7.

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the FH5 and SZ7 is 96 and 95 respectively.

Panasonic FH5 vs Panasonic SZ7 Sensor Comparison
Often, it can be difficult to visualize the gap in sensor measurements just by seeing a spec sheet. The visual underneath may provide you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the FH5 and SZ7.
Clearly, each of these cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit different MP. You can count on the Panasonic FH5 to produce extra detail using its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will allow you to crop pictures far more aggressively. The older FH5 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor innovation.

Panasonic FH5 vs Panasonic SZ7 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FH5 vs Panasonic SZ7 Specifications
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH5 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ7 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Make | Panasonic | Panasonic |
Model type | Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH5 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ7 |
Also referred to as | Lumix DMC-FS18 | - |
Class | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Compact |
Launched | 2011-01-05 | 2012-01-09 |
Body design | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | Venus Engine IV | - |
Sensor type | CCD | CMOS |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor measurements | 6.08 x 4.56mm | 6.08 x 4.56mm |
Sensor surface area | 27.7mm² | 27.7mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16MP | 14MP |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Peak resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4320 x 3240 |
Highest native ISO | 6400 | 6400 |
Lowest native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW photos | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
AF touch | ||
AF continuous | ||
AF single | ||
AF tracking | ||
AF selectice | ||
AF center weighted | ||
Multi area AF | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detection focusing | ||
Contract detection focusing | ||
Phase detection focusing | ||
Total focus points | 11 | 23 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 28-112mm (4.0x) | 25-250mm (10.0x) |
Maximum aperture | f/3.1-6.5 | f/3.1-5.9 |
Macro focusing distance | 5cm | 4cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.9 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Range of screen | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen sizing | 2.7 inches | 3 inches |
Resolution of screen | 230 thousand dot | 460 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch capability | ||
Screen tech | - | TFT Color LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 60 seconds | 8 seconds |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/1600 seconds | 1/1600 seconds |
Continuous shutter speed | 4.0 frames per sec | 10.0 frames per sec |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual exposure | ||
Change WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash distance | 3.30 m | 5.60 m |
Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction |
External flash | ||
AEB | ||
WB 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) | 1920 x 1080 (60, 30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Highest video resolution | 1280x720 | 1920x1080 |
Video format | Motion JPEG | MPEG-4, AVCHD |
Microphone input | ||
Headphone input | ||
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 seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 121 grams (0.27 lbs) | 133 grams (0.29 lbs) |
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 Overall 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 | 220 photographs |
Battery format | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Storage media | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal |
Storage slots | Single | Single |
Launch pricing | $169 | $199 |