Clicky

Panasonic FH5 vs Samsung HZ50W

Portability
96
Imaging
39
Features
31
Overall
35
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH5 front
 
Samsung HZ50W front
Portability
70
Imaging
37
Features
44
Overall
39

Panasonic FH5 vs Samsung HZ50W Key Specs

Panasonic FH5
(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
  • Revealed January 2011
  • Additionally referred to as Lumix DMC-FS18
Samsung HZ50W
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 64 - 3200 (Bump to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-676mm (F2.8-5.0) lens
  • 426g - 116 x 83 x 91mm
  • Launched May 2010
  • Additionally referred to as WB5500
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Panasonic FH5 vs Samsung HZ50W Overview

Lets look a little more closely at the Panasonic FH5 vs Samsung HZ50W, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by rivals Panasonic and Samsung. The image resolution of the FH5 (16MP) and the HZ50W (14MP) is very similar and they come with the same exact sensor measurements (1/2.3").

Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

The FH5 was brought out 9 months after the HZ50W which means that they are of a similar age. Both of these cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic FH5 being a Compact camera and the Samsung HZ50W being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before going through a thorough comparison, below is a quick summation of how the FH5 scores vs the HZ50W with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic FH5 over the Samsung HZ50W

 FH5 HZ50W 
LaunchedJanuary 2011May 2010More modern by 9 months

Reasons to pick Samsung HZ50W over the Panasonic FH5

 HZ50W FH5 
Focus manually More accurate focusing
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")

Common features in the Panasonic FH5 and Samsung HZ50W

 FH5 HZ50W 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kSame display resolution
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither has Touch friendly display

Panasonic FH5 vs Samsung HZ50W Physical Comparison

When you are looking to carry around your camera, you need to take into account its weight and measurements. The Panasonic FH5 has external dimensions 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 Samsung HZ50W has proportions of 116mm x 83mm x 91mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 3.6") along with a weight of 426 grams (0.94 lbs).

Look at the Panasonic FH5 vs Samsung HZ50W in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are working with during that time. Here is the front view sizing comparison of the FH5 and the HZ50W.

Panasonic FH5 vs Samsung HZ50W size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the FH5 and HZ50W is 96 and 70 respectively.

Panasonic FH5 vs Samsung HZ50W top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FH5 vs Samsung HZ50W Sensor Comparison

Often, it's hard to see the difference between sensor sizes just by going over specs. The pic underneath might offer you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the FH5 and HZ50W.

As you can plainly see, the 2 cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but not the same resolution. You can expect to see the Panasonic FH5 to offer extra detail having its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also help you crop pics far more aggressively. The newer FH5 is going to have a benefit when it comes to sensor tech.

Panasonic FH5 vs Samsung HZ50W sensor size comparison

Panasonic FH5 vs Samsung HZ50W Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FH5 vs Samsung HZ50W Screen and Viewfinder comparison
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic FH5
Portrait photography with Samsung HZ50W
34
resolution is good (16MP)
provides face detect autofocus
lack of manual focus
manual exposure not possible
external flash not possible
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
46
manual focus
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
supports RAW files
cannot use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Street Comparison

Panasonic FH5 Street photography factors
Samsung HZ50W Street photography factors
67
built in image stabilization (Optical)
provides focus via touch
lighter than average (121g)
screen does not articulate
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
56
image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW files
no articulating screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Sports Comparison

Panasonic FH5 Sports photography advice
Samsung HZ50W Sports photography advice
40
built in image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (16MP)
provides tracking focus
continuous shooting slow (4.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
48
amazing zoom range (26-676mm 26.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Travel Comparison

Panasonic FH5 as a Travel photography camera
Samsung HZ50W as a Travel photography camera
71
lighter than average (121g)
provides focus via touch
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
fairly wide (28mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
58
resolution is good (14MP)
has built in flash
fairly wide (26mm)
great zoom (676mm)
no Time Lapse recording
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FH5 Landscape photography advice
Samsung HZ50W Landscape photography advice
38
fairly wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (16MP)
lack of manual focus
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen is small (2.7")
manual exposure not possible
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
51
manual focus
fairly wide (26mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
supports RAW files
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no Time Lapse recording
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FH5 Vlogging factors
Samsung HZ50W Vlogging factors
33
fairly wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect autofocus
lighter than average (121g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have mic socket
24
fairly wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
display isn't selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
no mic support
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Panasonic FH5 vs Samsung HZ50W Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FH5 and Samsung HZ50W
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH5Samsung HZ50W
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Samsung
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH5 Samsung HZ50W
Also called as Lumix DMC-FS18 WB5500
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2011-01-05 2010-05-03
Physical type Compact SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Processor Chip 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 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 4:3 and 16:9
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 4320 x 3240
Max native ISO 6400 3200
Max enhanced ISO - 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 64
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 11 -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-112mm (4.0x) 26-676mm (26.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.1-6.5 f/2.8-5.0
Macro focus range 5cm 10cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.9
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 2.7 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Features
Min shutter speed 60s 16s
Max shutter speed 1/1600s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter rate 4.0fps -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 3.30 m 5.60 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (60, 30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format Motion JPEG H.264
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
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 gr (0.27 pounds) 426 gr (0.94 pounds)
Dimensions 94 x 54 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.7") 116 x 83 x 91mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 3.6")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 pictures -
Battery style Battery Pack -
Battery model - SLB-11A
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Double)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SC/SDHC, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Price at release $169 $250