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Panasonic FH5 vs Sony A99 II

Portability
96
Imaging
39
Features
31
Overall
35
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH5 front
 
Sony Alpha A99 II front
Portability
57
Imaging
77
Features
92
Overall
83

Panasonic FH5 vs Sony A99 II 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
  • Released January 2011
  • Also Known as Lumix DMC-FS18
Sony A99 II
(Full Review)
  • 42MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600 (Increase to 102400)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 849g - 143 x 104 x 76mm
  • Announced September 2016
  • Earlier Model is Sony A99
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Panasonic FH5 vs Sony A99 II Overview

Below is a in depth comparison of the Panasonic FH5 vs Sony A99 II, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Advanced DSLR by rivals Panasonic and Sony. There is a noticeable difference among the resolutions of the FH5 (16MP) and A99 II (42MP) and the FH5 (1/2.3") and A99 II (Full frame) provide totally different sensor sizing.

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The FH5 was announced 6 years before the A99 II and that is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic FH5 being a Compact camera and the Sony A99 II being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before we go into a step-by-step comparison, here is a quick overview of how the FH5 scores versus the A99 II with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FH5 over the Sony A99 II

 FH5 A99 II 

Reasons to pick Sony A99 II over the Panasonic FH5

 A99 II FH5 
AnnouncedSeptember 2016January 2011More recent by 69 months
Focus manually Very precise focus
Screen typeFully articulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution1229k230kCrisper screen (+999k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Common features in the Panasonic FH5 and Sony A99 II

 FH5 A99 II 
Touch screen Missing Touch screen

Panasonic FH5 vs Sony A99 II Physical Comparison

If you're going to lug around your camera regularly, you are going to need to take into account its weight and measurements. The Panasonic FH5 comes with physical dimensions of 94mm x 54mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.7") and a weight of 121 grams (0.27 lbs) and the Sony A99 II has proportions of 143mm x 104mm x 76mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.0") accompanied by a weight of 849 grams (1.87 lbs).

Check the Panasonic FH5 vs Sony A99 II in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you are using during that time. Following is a front view physical size comparison of the FH5 compared to the A99 II.

Panasonic FH5 vs Sony A99 II size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the FH5 and A99 II is 96 and 57 respectively.

Panasonic FH5 vs Sony A99 II top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FH5 vs Sony A99 II Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it can be hard to see the contrast in sensor measurements only by checking out technical specs. The photograph here may offer you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the FH5 and A99 II.

As you have seen, the two cameras come with different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The FH5 with its smaller sensor will make getting shallow DOF harder and the Sony A99 II will provide greater detail with its extra 26MP. Higher resolution will help you crop shots a good deal more aggressively. The older FH5 will be behind in sensor tech.

Panasonic FH5 vs Sony A99 II sensor size comparison

Panasonic FH5 vs Sony A99 II Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FH5 vs Sony A99 II Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FH5 Portrait photography information
Sony A99 II Portrait photography information
34
MP count decent (16MP)
offers face detect focusing
no manual focus
manual exposure not possible
external flash not possible
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
86
focusing manually
resolution is high (42 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
comes with face detect focusing
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FH5 as a Street photography camera
Sony A99 II as a Street photography camera
67
image stabilization (Optical)
comes with touch focus
lighter than competitors (121g)
no moving screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
76
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
large sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
weather proof
very good ISO range (25,600)
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FH5 Sports photography factors
Sony A99 II Sports photography factors
40
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
offers tracking focus
continuous shooting slow (4.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
82
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
resolution is high (42 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
comes with tracking focus
weather proof
supports phase detect AF
bad battery life (490 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FH5 Travel photography factors
Sony A99 II Travel photography factors
71
lighter than competitors (121g)
comes with touch focus
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
pretty wide (28mm)
lack of Timelapse mode
does not feature selfie friendly screen
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
70
weather proof
connects via bluetooth
resolution is high (42 megapixels)
screen is selfie friendly
bad battery life (490 CIPA)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FH5 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony A99 II as a Landscape photography camera
38
pretty wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16MP)
no manual focus
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
manual exposure not possible
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
lack of Timelapse mode
82
focusing manually
switch lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
resolution is high (42 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
does not have anti-alias filter
very good ISO range (25,600)
delivers RAW formats
weather proof
has double storage slots
bad battery life (490 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FH5 Vlogging details
Sony A99 II Vlogging details
33
pretty wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detect focusing
lighter than competitors (121 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of microphone jack
78
screen is selfie friendly
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
comes with face detect focusing
high quality video (3840 x 2160 resolution)
comes with mic port
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Panasonic FH5 vs Sony A99 II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FH5 and Sony A99 II
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH5Sony Alpha A99 II
General Information
Brand Panasonic Sony
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH5 Sony Alpha A99 II
Alternate name Lumix DMC-FS18 -
Class Small Sensor Compact Advanced DSLR
Released 2011-01-05 2016-09-19
Body design Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Venus Engine IV Bionz X
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Full frame
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 42 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 7952 x 5304
Maximum native ISO 6400 25600
Maximum enhanced ISO - 102400
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Min enhanced ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 11 399
Cross type focus points - 79
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens zoom range 28-112mm (4.0x) -
Maximum aperture f/3.1-6.5 -
Macro focusing distance 5cm -
Available lenses - 143
Crop factor 5.9 1
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fully articulated
Display diagonal 2.7" 3"
Resolution of display 230k dot 1,229k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,359k dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.78x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/1600s 1/8000s
Continuous shutter speed 4.0 frames per sec 12.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 3.30 m no built-in flash
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction Off, auto, fill, slow sync, redeye reduction, rear sync, high-speed sync, wireless
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync - 1/250s
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) -
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 3840x2160
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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 seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 121 grams (0.27 lb) 849 grams (1.87 lb)
Physical dimensions 94 x 54 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.7") 143 x 104 x 76mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.0")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 92
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 25.4
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 13.4
DXO Low light rating not tested 2317
Other
Battery life 260 images 490 images
Type of battery Battery Pack NP-FM500H lithium-ion battery & charger
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2, 5, 10 secs)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC/MS Duo slots
Storage slots 1 Dual
Cost at release $169 $3,198