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Panasonic FH5 vs Sony W830

Portability
96
Imaging
39
Features
31
Overall
35
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH5 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W830 front
Portability
96
Imaging
45
Features
26
Overall
37

Panasonic FH5 vs Sony W830 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
  • Introduced January 2011
  • Additionally referred to as Lumix DMC-FS18
Sony W830
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-200mm (F3.3-6.3) lens
  • 122g - 93 x 52 x 23mm
  • Introduced January 2014
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Panasonic FH5 vs Sony W830 Overview

Lets take a more detailed look at the Panasonic FH5 versus Sony W830, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Ultracompact by companies Panasonic and Sony. The resolution of the FH5 (16MP) and the W830 (20MP) is fairly comparable and both cameras posses the identical sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The FH5 was launched 4 years earlier than the W830 and that is a fairly large gap 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 W830 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before we go into a comprehensive comparison, here is a simple highlight of how the FH5 matches up vs the W830 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic FH5 over the Sony W830

 FH5 W830 

Reasons to pick Sony W830 over the Panasonic FH5

 W830 FH5 
IntroducedJanuary 2014January 2011Fresher by 36 months

Common features in the Panasonic FH5 and Sony W830

 FH5 W830 
Focus manually No manual focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display size2.7"2.7"Same display sizing
Display resolution230k230kExact same display resolution
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither includes Touch friendly display

Panasonic FH5 vs Sony W830 Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to carry your camera regularly, you'll need to consider its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic FH5 features exterior dimensions of 94mm x 54mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.7") with a weight of 121 grams (0.27 lbs) whilst the Sony W830 has dimensions of 93mm x 52mm x 23mm (3.7" x 2.0" x 0.9") having a weight of 122 grams (0.27 lbs).

See the Panasonic FH5 versus Sony W830 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you use during that time. Underneath is a front view dimensions comparison of the FH5 and the W830.

Panasonic FH5 vs Sony W830 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the FH5 and W830 is 96 and 96 respectively.

Panasonic FH5 vs Sony W830 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FH5 vs Sony W830 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it can be hard to imagine the contrast in sensor sizing only by seeing a spec sheet. The visual here may provide you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the FH5 and W830.

Clearly, both of those cameras feature the identical sensor size but different resolution. You should anticipate the Sony W830 to provide greater detail utilizing its extra 4MP. Greater resolution can also help you crop images way more aggressively. The older FH5 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor innovation.

Panasonic FH5 vs Sony W830 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FH5 vs Sony W830 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FH5 vs Sony W830 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FH5 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony W830 as a Portrait photography camera
34
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
comes with face detect focus
no manual focus
no manual control
no external flash support
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
38
megapixel count good (20 megapixels)
includes face detect focusing
focusing manually not possible
manual exposure not possible
cannot use external flash
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FH5 Street photography advice
Sony W830 Street photography advice
67
image stabilization (Optical)
offers focus by touch
lighter than others in class (121 grams)
screen is fixed
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
59
has image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FH5 Sports photography info
Sony W830 Sports photography info
40
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (16MP)
comes with tracking focus
low frames per second (4.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
43
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (20MP)
includes tracking focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FH5 as a Travel photography camera
Sony W830 as a Travel photography camera
71
lighter than others in class (121g)
offers focus by touch
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
fairly wide (28mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
display isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.1)
67
megapixel count good (20 megapixels)
has built in flash
relatively wide (25mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FH5 Landscape photography factors
Sony W830 Landscape photography factors
38
fairly wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (16MP)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
screen is small (2.7")
no manual control
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
doesn't have Timelapse function
41
relatively wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (20MP)
focusing manually not possible
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen is small (2.7 inches)
manual exposure not possible
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
doesn't have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FH5 Vlogging highlights
Sony W830 Vlogging highlights
33
fairly wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detect focus
lighter than others in class (121g)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
display isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have microphone socket
32
relatively wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detect focusing
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
display isn't selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have mic socket
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Panasonic FH5 vs Sony W830 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FH5 and Sony W830
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH5Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W830
General Information
Make Panasonic Sony
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH5 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W830
Also referred to as Lumix DMC-FS18 -
Type Small Sensor Compact Ultracompact
Introduced 2011-01-05 2014-01-07
Physical type Compact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Venus Engine IV Bionz
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 20 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4608 x 3456 5152 x 3864
Highest native ISO 6400 3200
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 11 -
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-112mm (4.0x) 25-200mm (8.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.1-6.5 f/3.3-6.3
Macro focus distance 5cm -
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.7 inches 2.7 inches
Display resolution 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology - Clear Photo LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60s 2s
Maximum shutter speed 1/1600s 1/1600s
Continuous shooting rate 4.0 frames per sec 1.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 3.30 m 2.80 m (with ISO auto)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction Auto / Flash On / Slow Synchro / Flash Off / Advanced Flash
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
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) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format Motion JPEG H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
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 grams (0.27 pounds) 122 grams (0.27 pounds)
Physical dimensions 94 x 54 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.7") 93 x 52 x 23mm (3.7" x 2.0" x 0.9")
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 photos -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model - NP-BN
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 secs)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo, microSD/microSDHC
Card slots 1 1
Cost at launch $169 $128