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Panasonic FH7 vs Sony NEX-5

Portability
96
Imaging
39
Features
36
Overall
37
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH7 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-5 front
Portability
89
Imaging
54
Features
58
Overall
55

Panasonic FH7 vs Sony NEX-5 Key Specs

Panasonic FH7
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-112mm (F3.1-6.5) lens
  • 126g - 95 x 56 x 19mm
  • Introduced September 2011
  • Also Known as Lumix DMC-FS22
Sony NEX-5
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 200 - 12800
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 287g - 111 x 59 x 38mm
  • Revealed June 2010
  • Replacement is Sony NEX-5N
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Panasonic FH7 vs Sony NEX-5 Overview

The following is a in-depth analysis of the Panasonic FH7 and Sony NEX-5, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by rivals Panasonic and Sony. The sensor resolution of the FH7 (16MP) and the NEX-5 (14MP) is pretty close but the FH7 (1/2.3") and NEX-5 (APS-C) posses totally different sensor sizes.

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The FH7 was launched 16 months after the NEX-5 which makes them a generation away from one another. The two cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic FH7 being a Compact camera and the Sony NEX-5 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go right into a full comparison, here is a short introduction of how the FH7 matches up against the NEX-5 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FH7 over the Sony NEX-5

 FH7 NEX-5 
RevealedSeptember 2011June 2010Newer by 16 months
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5 over the Panasonic FH7

 NEX-5 FH7 
Manually focus Very exact focusing
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution920k230kSharper screen (+690k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic FH7 and Sony NEX-5

 FH7 NEX-5 
Screen size3"3"Same screen dimensions
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen

Panasonic FH7 vs Sony NEX-5 Physical Comparison

If you're planning to travel with your camera, you will want to factor in its weight and volume. The Panasonic FH7 enjoys exterior dimensions of 95mm x 56mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7") having a weight of 126 grams (0.28 lbs) and the Sony NEX-5 has sizing of 111mm x 59mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") having a weight of 287 grams (0.63 lbs).

Check the Panasonic FH7 and Sony NEX-5 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are employing at the time. Following is a front view dimensions comparison of the FH7 against the NEX-5.

Panasonic FH7 vs Sony NEX-5 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the FH7 and NEX-5 is 96 and 89 respectively.

Panasonic FH7 vs Sony NEX-5 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FH7 vs Sony NEX-5 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it's tough to envision the contrast in sensor dimensions purely by researching technical specs. The pic below will give you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the FH7 and NEX-5.

As you have seen, both of those cameras come with different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The FH7 featuring a smaller sensor will make achieving shallower DOF trickier and the Panasonic FH7 will result in greater detail utilizing its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will also let you crop photographs a good deal more aggressively. The younger FH7 is going to have a benefit when it comes to sensor technology.

Panasonic FH7 vs Sony NEX-5 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FH7 vs Sony NEX-5 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FH7 vs Sony NEX-5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FH7 Portrait photography advice
Sony NEX-5 Portrait photography advice
34
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
comes with face detection autofocus
manual focus not available
lack of manual exposure
can't use external flash
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
72
manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FH7 Street photography advice
Sony NEX-5 Street photography advice
67
has image stabilization (Optical)
comes with touch to focus
lighter than competition (126g)
screen does not articulate
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
76
screen tilts up and down
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FH7 Sports photography highlights
Sony NEX-5 Sports photography highlights
40
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
comes with tracking autofocus
max fps low (4.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
52
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
does not have image stabilization
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic FH7
Travel photography with Sony NEX-5
71
lighter than competition (126g)
comes with touch to focus
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
pretty wide (28mm)
does not have Time Lapse function
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
59
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
missing Time Lapse recording
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FH7 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony NEX-5 as a Landscape photography camera
43
pretty wide (28mm)
screen size is good (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
manual focus not available
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
lack of manual exposure
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
does not have Time Lapse function
68
manual focus
change lenses (Sony E mount)
screen is a decent size (3")
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
does not have image stabilization
missing Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FH7 Vlogging advice
Sony NEX-5 Vlogging advice
34
pretty wide (28mm)
screen is touchscreen
has image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detection autofocus
lighter than competition (126 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have external mic socket
28
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
missing mic port
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Panasonic FH7 vs Sony NEX-5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FH7 and Sony NEX-5
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH7Sony Alpha NEX-5
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Sony
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH7 Sony Alpha NEX-5
Alternate name Lumix DMC-FS22 -
Class Small Sensor Compact Entry-Level Mirrorless
Introduced 2011-09-07 2010-06-07
Body design Compact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Venus Engine IV Bionz
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 365.0mm²
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
Minimum native ISO 100 200
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 11 25
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Sony E
Lens zoom range 28-112mm (4.0x) -
Largest aperture f/3.1-6.5 -
Macro focusing distance 5cm -
Total lenses - 121
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen size 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 230k dot 920k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/1600s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting speed 4.0 frames/s 7.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 3.30 m 12.00 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync - 1/160s
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), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG AVCHD
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 126 gr (0.28 lbs) 287 gr (0.63 lbs)
Physical dimensions 95 x 56 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7") 111 x 59 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 69
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 22.2
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.2
DXO Low light rating not tested 796
Other
Battery life 260 pictures 330 pictures
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - NPFW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images))
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots One One
Launch cost $149 $599