Panasonic FH5 vs Panasonic ZS1

In this write-up, we are contrasting the Panasonic FH5 and Panasonic ZS1, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom and they are both produced by Panasonic. There is a sizeable difference between the resolutions of the FH5 (16MP) and ZS1 (10MP) and the FH5 (1/2.3") and ZS1 (1/2.5") enjoy different sensor sizes.

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The FH5 was revealed 21 months after the ZS1 making the cameras a generation away from each other. Both the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before delving in to a thorough comparison, below is a quick summary of how the FH5 grades versus the ZS1 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

The following is a sample of the gallery pics for Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH5 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1. The full galleries are available at Panasonic FH5 Gallery and Panasonic ZS1 Gallery.

For anyone who is going to travel with your camera, you will have to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic FH5 has outer dimensions of 94mm x 54mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.7") along with a weight of 121 grams (0.27 lbs) while the Panasonic ZS1 has dimensions of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") and a weight of 229 grams (0.50 lbs).

Examine the Panasonic FH5 and Panasonic ZS1 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you are working with at that time. Following is the front view overall size comparison of the FH5 vs the ZS1.

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the FH5 and ZS1 is 96 and 91 respectively.

Usually, it's hard to imagine the gap between sensor dimensions only by looking at specs. The pic below will give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the FH5 and ZS1.

As you can plainly see, both the cameras offer different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The FH5 having a larger sensor is going to make shooting shallow depth of field simpler and the Panasonic FH5 will resolve greater detail because of its extra 6 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop pics a little more aggressively. The more modern FH5 should have a benefit with regard to sensor tech.