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Panasonic FH6 vs Panasonic SZ5

Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
29
Overall
33
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH6 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5 front
Portability
95
Imaging
37
Features
34
Overall
35

Panasonic FH6 vs Panasonic SZ5 Key Specs

Panasonic FH6
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-120mm (F2.5-6.4) lens
  • 119g - 96 x 56 x 20mm
  • Revealed January 2012
Panasonic SZ5
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Boost to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 136g - 104 x 58 x 21mm
  • Revealed July 2012
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Panasonic FH6 vs Panasonic SZ5 Overview

In this article, we are analyzing the Panasonic FH6 versus Panasonic SZ5, both Small Sensor Compact cameras and they are both created by Panasonic. The image resolution of the FH6 (14MP) and the SZ5 (14MP) is very comparable and they enjoy the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The FH6 was released 6 months prior to the SZ5 so they are both of a similar age. Both cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before we go in to a detailed comparison, below is a brief overview of how the FH6 scores against the SZ5 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FH6 over the Panasonic SZ5

 FH6 SZ5 

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ5 over the Panasonic FH6

 SZ5 FH6 
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")

Common features in the Panasonic FH6 and Panasonic SZ5

 FH6 SZ5 
RevealedJanuary 2012July 2012Same age
Focus manually Lack of manual focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kIdentical display resolution
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch display Neither comes with Touch display

Panasonic FH6 vs Panasonic SZ5 Physical Comparison

When you are looking to carry your camera frequently, you are going to need to think about its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic FH6 comes with exterior measurements of 96mm x 56mm x 20mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.8") and a weight of 119 grams (0.26 lbs) while the Panasonic SZ5 has dimensions of 104mm x 58mm x 21mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 0.8") accompanied by a weight of 136 grams (0.30 lbs).

Take a look at the Panasonic FH6 versus Panasonic SZ5 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are using at that moment. Here is the front view measurements comparison of the FH6 vs the SZ5.

Panasonic FH6 vs Panasonic SZ5 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the FH6 and SZ5 is 96 and 95 respectively.

Panasonic FH6 vs Panasonic SZ5 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FH6 vs Panasonic SZ5 Sensor Comparison

Often, its difficult to imagine the gap in sensor sizing simply by going through technical specs. The visual underneath should provide you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the FH6 and SZ5.

As you have seen, both of the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing and the exact same MP so you can expect comparable quality of photographs though you would want to take the age of the cameras into account.

Panasonic FH6 vs Panasonic SZ5 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FH6 vs Panasonic SZ5 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FH6 vs Panasonic SZ5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FH6 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic SZ5 as a Portrait photography camera
33
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
includes face detect autofocus
no manual focus
lack of manual mode
external flash not possible
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
33
good resolution (14MP)
has face detect focus
lack of manual focus
no manual control
external flash not possible
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Panasonic FH6 Street photography advice
Panasonic SZ5 Street photography advice
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (119 grams)
no moving screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (136 grams)
screen is fixed
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FH6 Sports photography highlights
Panasonic SZ5 Sports photography highlights
39
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
better than average battery life (280 per charge)
low fps (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
39
image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (14MP)
has tracking focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FH6 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic SZ5 as a Travel photography camera
70
better than average battery life (280 CIPA)
lighter than competition (119g)
megapixel count decent (14MP)
has built in flash
rather wide (24mm)
does not have Timelapse mode
does not contain selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.5)
70
lighter than competition (136 grams)
good resolution (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
decently wide (25mm)
long zoom (250mm)
does not have Timelapse function
does not feature selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FH6 Landscape photography factors
Panasonic SZ5 Landscape photography factors
41
rather wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (14MP)
better than average battery life (280 CIPA)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.5)
screen is small (2.7")
lack of manual mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
does not have Timelapse mode
42
decently wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (14 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
no manual control
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
does not have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FH6 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic SZ5 as a Vlogging camera
32
rather wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detect autofocus
lighter than competition (119g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.5)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have microphone jack
32
decently wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect focus
lighter than competition (136 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
does not feature selfie friendly display
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have microphone jack
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Panasonic FH6 vs Panasonic SZ5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FH6 and Panasonic SZ5
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH6Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5
General Information
Brand Panasonic Panasonic
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH6 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2012-01-09 2012-07-18
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4320 x 3240 4320 x 3240
Highest native ISO 6400 1600
Highest enhanced ISO - 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 9 23
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-120mm (5.0x) 25-250mm (10.0x)
Largest aperture f/2.5-6.4 f/3.1-5.9
Macro focus distance 5cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.9
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.7 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display tech TFT Color LCD TFT Screen LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 8 secs 8 secs
Max shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shutter speed 2.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 4.60 m 5.60 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1280 x 720p ( 30,25 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4
Microphone input
Headphone input
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
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 119g (0.26 pounds) 136g (0.30 pounds)
Dimensions 96 x 56 x 20mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.8") 104 x 58 x 21mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 0.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 280 images 250 images
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 secs)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Retail pricing $129 $195