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Panasonic FH5 vs Sony WX50

Portability
96
Imaging
39
Features
31
Overall
35
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH5 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX50 front
Portability
96
Imaging
39
Features
36
Overall
37

Panasonic FH5 vs Sony WX50 Key Specs

Panasonic FH5
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • 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 Known as Lumix DMC-FS18
Sony WX50
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-125mm (F2.6-6.3) lens
  • 117g - 92 x 52 x 19mm
  • Introduced January 2012
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Panasonic FH5 vs Sony WX50 Overview

Here is a complete analysis of the Panasonic FH5 versus Sony WX50, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by competitors Panasonic and Sony. The resolution of the FH5 (16MP) and the WX50 (16MP) is relatively comparable and both cameras posses the same sensor size (1/2.3").

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The FH5 was launched 13 months earlier than the WX50 which makes them a generation apart from one another. The two cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before getting into a in-depth comparison, here is a brief highlight of how the FH5 matches up vs the WX50 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic FH5 over the Sony WX50

 FH5 WX50 

Reasons to pick Sony WX50 over the Panasonic FH5

 WX50 FH5 
IntroducedJanuary 2012January 2011Fresher by 13 months
Screen resolution461k230kClearer screen (+231k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic FH5 and Sony WX50

 FH5 WX50 
Focus manually No manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions2.7"2.7"Equal screen size
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither comes with Touch friendly screen

Panasonic FH5 vs Sony WX50 Physical Comparison

If you are looking to carry your camera often, you are going to need to factor in its weight and size. The Panasonic FH5 comes with external measurements 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 Sony WX50 has specifications of 92mm x 52mm x 19mm (3.6" x 2.0" x 0.7") along with a weight of 117 grams (0.26 lbs).

Examine the Panasonic FH5 versus Sony WX50 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 based on the lens you are employing during that time. Underneath is a front view measurement comparison of the FH5 and the WX50.

Panasonic FH5 vs Sony WX50 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the FH5 and WX50 is 96 and 96 respectively.

Panasonic FH5 vs Sony WX50 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FH5 vs Sony WX50 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is hard to visualize the gap in sensor sizing only by going through specs. The visual underneath should offer you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the FH5 and WX50.

All in all, the two cameras provide the same sensor dimensions and the identical resolution and you can expect comparable quality of photos though you should consider the age of the cameras into account. The older FH5 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.

Panasonic FH5 vs Sony WX50 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FH5 vs Sony WX50 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FH5 vs Sony WX50 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FH5 Portrait photography advice
Sony WX50 Portrait photography advice
34
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
offers face detection autofocus
no manual focus
no manual exposure
external flash not possible
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW files
34
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
provides face detection focus
manual focus not available
no manual control
can't use external flash
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FH5 as a Street photography camera
Sony WX50 as a Street photography camera
67
image stabilization (Optical)
supports touch to focus
lighter than average in class (121g)
fixed screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW files
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (117g)
screen is fixed
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FH5 Sports photography advice
Sony WX50 Sports photography advice
40
image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
offers tracking autofocus
slow frames per second (4.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
44
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16MP)
provides tracking autofocus
no shutter priority mode
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic FH5
Travel photography with Sony WX50
71
lighter than average in class (121g)
supports touch to focus
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (28mm)
missing Timelapse mode
does not offer selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
69
lighter than competition (117g)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (25mm)
no Time Lapse function
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f2.6)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FH5 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony WX50 as a Landscape photography camera
38
reasonably wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
no manual focus
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
small screen (2.7")
no manual exposure
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW files
missing Timelapse mode
38
reasonably wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16MP)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.6)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
no manual control
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
no Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FH5 Vlogging advice
Sony WX50 Vlogging advice
33
reasonably wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection autofocus
lighter than average in class (121g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing external microphone socket
35
reasonably wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detection focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition (117 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f2.6)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
no external mic socket
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Panasonic FH5 vs Sony WX50 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FH5 and Sony WX50
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH5Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX50
General Information
Make Panasonic Sony
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH5 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX50
Also referred to as Lumix DMC-FS18 -
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2011-01-05 2012-01-30
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Venus Engine IV BIONZ
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
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 16MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 6400 12800
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 11 -
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-112mm (4.0x) 25-125mm (5.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.1-6.5 f/2.6-6.3
Macro focusing distance 5cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.7 inch 2.7 inch
Screen resolution 230k dots 461k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen technology - Clearfoto TFT LCD display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 secs 4 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shooting rate 4.0 frames per sec 10.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 3.30 m 5.30 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 121 grams (0.27 lbs) 117 grams (0.26 lbs)
Physical dimensions 94 x 54 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.7") 92 x 52 x 19mm (3.6" x 2.0" x 0.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 260 images 240 images
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-BN
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Card slots One One
Price at launch $169 $250