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Panasonic FH5 vs Sony A33

Portability
96
Imaging
39
Features
31
Overall
35
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH5 front
 
Sony SLT-A33 front
Portability
67
Imaging
54
Features
80
Overall
64

Panasonic FH5 vs Sony A33 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
  • Launched January 2011
  • Other Name is Lumix DMC-FS18
Sony A33
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Boost to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 500g - 124 x 92 x 85mm
  • Released August 2010
  • Successor is Sony A35
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Panasonic FH5 vs Sony A33 Overview

Here, we will be reviewing the Panasonic FH5 versus Sony A33, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by companies Panasonic and Sony. The resolution of the FH5 (16MP) and the A33 (14MP) is pretty well matched but the FH5 (1/2.3") and A33 (APS-C) posses different sensor sizing.

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The FH5 was announced 5 months later than the A33 and they are both of a similar age. Both cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic FH5 being a Compact camera and the Sony A33 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before delving straight to a more detailed comparison, here is a concise highlight of how the FH5 grades versus the A33 for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FH5 over the Sony A33

 FH5 A33 

Reasons to pick Sony A33 over the Panasonic FH5

 A33 FH5 
Manually focus Dial precise focus
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution921k230kCrisper screen (+691k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Common features in the Panasonic FH5 and Sony A33

 FH5 A33 
ReleasedJanuary 2011August 2010Similar age
Touch friendly screen Neither offers Touch friendly screen

Panasonic FH5 vs Sony A33 Physical Comparison

If you're intending to lug around your camera frequently, you're going to have to think about its weight and volume. The Panasonic FH5 offers exterior measurements of 94mm x 54mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.7") and a weight of 121 grams (0.27 lbs) whilst the Sony A33 has sizing of 124mm x 92mm x 85mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 3.3") having a weight of 500 grams (1.10 lbs).

Take a look at the Panasonic FH5 versus Sony A33 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you are utilising at the time. Below is a front view over all size comparison of the FH5 versus the A33.

Panasonic FH5 vs Sony A33 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the FH5 and A33 is 96 and 67 respectively.

Panasonic FH5 vs Sony A33 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FH5 vs Sony A33 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it can be hard to picture the difference between sensor measurements simply by looking at a spec sheet. The photograph underneath should provide you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the FH5 and A33.

As you can see, each of the cameras feature different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The FH5 having a tinier sensor is going to make getting shallower DOF more difficult and the Panasonic FH5 will give more detail with its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop photographs way more aggressively.

Panasonic FH5 vs Sony A33 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FH5 vs Sony A33 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FH5 vs Sony A33 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FH5 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony A33 as a Portrait photography camera
34
MP count good (16 megapixels)
includes face detect focusing
lack of manual focus
no manual exposure
cannot use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
72
has manual focus
good MP (14 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
offers face detection focusing
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FH5 Street photography details
Sony A33 Street photography details
67
has image stabilization (Optical)
offers focus by touch
lighter than competition (121g)
screen does not articulate
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
76
screen articulates
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FH5 Sports photography factors
Sony A33 Sports photography factors
40
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
includes tracking focus
very slow continuous shooting (4.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
67
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (14 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect AF
bad battery (340 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FH5 Travel photography advice
Sony A33 Travel photography advice
71
lighter than competition (121 grams)
offers focus by touch
MP count good (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
decently wide (28mm)
does not have Timelapse recording
does not have a selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f3.1)
61
good MP (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
selfie friendly display
lack of Time Lapse recording
bad battery (340 shots)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FH5 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony A33 as a Landscape photography camera
38
decently wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16MP)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
small screen (2.7 inch)
no manual exposure
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
does not have Timelapse recording
67
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen is a good size (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (14MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
bad battery (340 CIPA)
lack of Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FH5 Vlogging advice
Sony A33 Vlogging advice
33
decently wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detect focusing
lighter than competition (121 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
does not have a selfie friendly display
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have microphone support
77
selfie friendly display
image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detection focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
includes external mic socket
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Panasonic FH5 vs Sony A33 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FH5 and Sony A33
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH5Sony SLT-A33
General Information
Company Panasonic Sony
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH5 Sony SLT-A33
Otherwise known as Lumix DMC-FS18 -
Category Small Sensor Compact Entry-Level DSLR
Launched 2011-01-05 2010-08-24
Physical type Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Chip Venus Engine IV Bionz
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4608 x 3456 4592 x 3056
Highest native ISO 6400 12800
Highest boosted ISO - 25600
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 11 15
Cross type focus points - 3
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens zoom range 28-112mm (4.0x) -
Maximum aperture f/3.1-6.5 -
Macro focusing range 5cm -
Amount of lenses - 143
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Display sizing 2.7 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 230k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,150k dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.73x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 4.0 frames per sec 7.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 3.30 m 10.00 m (@ ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize - 1/160 secs
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) 1920 x 1080 (60, 29.97 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 640 x 424 (29.97 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 121 gr (0.27 pounds) 500 gr (1.10 pounds)
Physical dimensions 94 x 54 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.7") 124 x 92 x 85mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 70
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 22.8
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.6
DXO Low light rating not tested 591
Other
Battery life 260 shots 340 shots
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-FW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Single Single
Retail price $169 $230