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Panasonic FH5 vs Sony HX50V

Portability
96
Imaging
39
Features
31
Overall
35
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH5 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX50V front
Portability
89
Imaging
44
Features
57
Overall
49

Panasonic FH5 vs Sony HX50V 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
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-FS18
Sony HX50V
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200 (Push to 12800)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.5 - 6.3) lens
  • 272g - 108 x 64 x 38mm
  • Launched April 2013
  • Replaced the Sony HX30V
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Panasonic FH5 vs Sony HX50V Overview

On this page, we will be evaluating the Panasonic FH5 versus Sony HX50V, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by manufacturers Panasonic and Sony. The image resolution of the FH5 (16MP) and the HX50V (20MP) is relatively similar and both cameras provide the same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The FH5 was revealed 3 years before the HX50V which is quite a large gap as far as tech is concerned. Both the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before diving into a full comparison, here is a short summation of how the FH5 grades versus the HX50V with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FH5 over the Sony HX50V

 FH5 HX50V 

Reasons to pick Sony HX50V over the Panasonic FH5

 HX50V FH5 
LaunchedApril 2013January 2011More modern by 28 months
Manually focus More precise focus
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution921k230kClearer screen (+691k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic FH5 and Sony HX50V

 FH5 HX50V 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither provides Touch friendly screen

Panasonic FH5 vs Sony HX50V Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to carry around your camera, you are going to need to factor its weight and volume. The Panasonic FH5 provides outer measurements 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 Sony HX50V has sizing of 108mm x 64mm x 38mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.5") accompanied by a weight of 272 grams (0.60 lbs).

Check the Panasonic FH5 versus Sony HX50V in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you are employing at that time. Following is a front view proportions comparison of the FH5 vs the HX50V.

Panasonic FH5 vs Sony HX50V size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the FH5 and HX50V is 96 and 89 respectively.

Panasonic FH5 vs Sony HX50V top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FH5 vs Sony HX50V Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it can be tough to imagine the contrast between sensor sizes only by going over a spec sheet. The image here may provide you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the FH5 and HX50V.

Clearly, both cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit different megapixels. You should count on the Sony HX50V to offer more detail because of its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop photographs more aggressively. The more aged FH5 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.

Panasonic FH5 vs Sony HX50V sensor size comparison

Panasonic FH5 vs Sony HX50V Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FH5 vs Sony HX50V Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FH5 Portrait photography advice
Sony HX50V Portrait photography advice
34
decent megapixels (16MP)
features face detect focusing
lack of manual focus
lack of manual mode
can't use external flash
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
50
you can focus manually
good resolution (20MP)
has face detect autofocus
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FH5 as a Street photography camera
Sony HX50V as a Street photography camera
67
built in image stabilization (Optical)
has focus by touch
lighter than competitors in class (121g)
screen is fixed
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
61
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (272 grams)
fixed screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FH5 Sports photography details
Sony HX50V Sports photography details
40
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
features tracking focus
slow continuous shooting (4.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
57
incredible zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (20MP)
has tracking focus
good battery (400 shots)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FH5 Travel photography highlights
Sony HX50V Travel photography highlights
71
lighter than competitors in class (121 grams)
has focus by touch
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
pretty wide (28mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
71
good battery (400 per charge)
lighter than competition in class (272g)
good resolution (20 megapixels)
flash built-in
relatively wide (24mm)
very long zoom (720mm)
lack of Timelapse mode
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5 )
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FH5 Landscape photography advice
Sony HX50V Landscape photography advice
38
pretty wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16MP)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
lack of manual mode
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
53
you can focus manually
relatively wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (20 megapixels)
good battery (400 CIPA)
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5 )
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
lack of Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FH5 Vlogging information
Sony HX50V Vlogging information
33
pretty wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect focusing
lighter than competitors in class (121g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have mic port
34
relatively wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect autofocus
good video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition in class (272g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5 )
display isn't selfie friendly
lack of microphone support
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Panasonic FH5 vs Sony HX50V Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FH5 and Sony HX50V
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH5Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX50V
General Information
Make Panasonic Sony
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH5 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX50V
Otherwise known as Lumix DMC-FS18 -
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2011-01-05 2013-04-24
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Venus Engine IV -
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 20MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4608 x 3456 5184 x 2920
Highest native ISO 6400 3200
Highest boosted ISO - 12800
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 11 -
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-112mm (4.0x) 24-720mm (30.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.1-6.5 f/3.5 - 6.3
Macro focus range 5cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 2.7" 3"
Display resolution 230 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display tech - XtraFine LCD display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic (optional)
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/1600s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting rate 4.0 frames per second 10.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 3.30 m 5.60 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync, Rear Sync, Advanced Flash
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 1280 x 720 (30fps), 640 x 480 (30fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 121g (0.27 lbs) 272g (0.60 lbs)
Physical dimensions 94 x 54 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.7") 108 x 64 x 38mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.5")
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 pictures 400 pictures
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - NP-BX1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Single Single
Retail pricing $169 $439