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Panasonic FH8 vs Sony NEX-5N

Portability
96
Imaging
39
Features
32
Overall
36
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH8 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-5N front
Portability
89
Imaging
56
Features
69
Overall
61

Panasonic FH8 vs Sony NEX-5N Key Specs

Panasonic FH8
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-120mm (F2.5-6.4) lens
  • 123g - 96 x 57 x 19mm
  • Launched January 2012
Sony NEX-5N
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 269g - 111 x 59 x 38mm
  • Released October 2011
  • Succeeded the Sony NEX-5
  • Newer Model is Sony NEX-5R
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Panasonic FH8 vs Sony NEX-5N Overview

Here, we will be evaluating the Panasonic FH8 and Sony NEX-5N, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by manufacturers Panasonic and Sony. The sensor resolution of the FH8 (16MP) and the NEX-5N (16MP) is relatively similar but the FH8 (1/2.3") and NEX-5N (APS-C) offer different sensor size.

Photography Glossary

The FH8 was announced 4 months later than the NEX-5N and they are both of a similar age. Each of these cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic FH8 being a Compact camera and the Sony NEX-5N being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before getting straight to a detailed comparison, here is a quick summary of how the FH8 scores vs the NEX-5N in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FH8 over the Sony NEX-5N

 FH8 NEX-5N 

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5N over the Panasonic FH8

 NEX-5N FH8 
Manual focus Dial exact focus
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution920k230kClearer screen (+690k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Panasonic FH8 and Sony NEX-5N

 FH8 NEX-5N 
ReleasedJanuary 2012October 2011Similar age
Screen size3"3"Same screen size
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen

Panasonic FH8 vs Sony NEX-5N Physical Comparison

For those who are looking to lug around your camera often, you should think about its weight and volume. The Panasonic FH8 enjoys outer dimensions of 96mm x 57mm x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") accompanied by a weight of 123 grams (0.27 lbs) whilst the Sony NEX-5N has sizing of 111mm x 59mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") with a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs).

Check out the Panasonic FH8 and Sony NEX-5N in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are working with at that moment. Following is a front view proportions comparison of the FH8 versus the NEX-5N.

Panasonic FH8 vs Sony NEX-5N size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the FH8 and NEX-5N is 96 and 89 respectively.

Panasonic FH8 vs Sony NEX-5N top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FH8 vs Sony NEX-5N Sensor Comparison

Often, it is difficult to imagine the difference between sensor measurements simply by going over specifications. The photograph here might offer you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the FH8 and NEX-5N.

Plainly, both of these cameras feature the identical resolution albeit different sensor measurements. The FH8 includes the tinier sensor which is going to make achieving shallow depth of field more challenging.

Panasonic FH8 vs Sony NEX-5N sensor size comparison

Panasonic FH8 vs Sony NEX-5N Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FH8 vs Sony NEX-5N Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic FH8
Portrait photography with Sony NEX-5N
34
MP count good (16 megapixels)
includes face detect focusing
no manual focus
no manual exposure
external flash not possible
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
73
manual focus
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
has face detection focus
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FH8 as a Street photography camera
Sony NEX-5N as a Street photography camera
63
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (123g)
screen is fixed
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
80
screen tilts up and down
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW files
provides touch to focus
above average ISO range (25,600)
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FH8 Sports photography advice
Sony NEX-5N Sports photography advice
40
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
includes tracking focus
continuous shooting slow (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
58
megapixel count good (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
better than average battery pack (460 shots)
lack of image stabilization
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FH8 Travel photography info
Sony NEX-5N Travel photography info
69
lighter than competition (123g)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
quite wide (24mm)
missing Time Lapse recording
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.5)
70
better than average battery pack (460 shots)
provides touch to focus
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
no Time Lapse mode
does not have a selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FH8 Landscape photography features
Sony NEX-5N Landscape photography features
43
quite wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.5)
no manual exposure
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
missing Time Lapse recording
71
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony E mount)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
megapixel count good (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
above average ISO range (25,600)
supports RAW files
better than average battery pack (460 CIPA)
lack of image stabilization
no Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic FH8
Vlogging with Sony NEX-5N
33
quite wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detect focusing
lighter than competition (123 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.5)
display is not selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing mic port
33
touchscreen
has face detection focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does not have a selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
no external mic socket
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Panasonic FH8 vs Sony NEX-5N Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FH8 and Sony NEX-5N
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH8Sony Alpha NEX-5N
General Information
Brand Panasonic Sony
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH8 Sony Alpha NEX-5N
Category Small Sensor Compact Entry-Level Mirrorless
Launched 2012-01-09 2011-10-03
Physical type Compact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip - 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 16MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 4912 x 3264
Max native ISO 6400 25600
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 23 25
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Sony E
Lens focal range 24-120mm (5.0x) -
Highest aperture f/2.5-6.4 -
Macro focus distance 4cm -
Amount of lenses - 121
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1.5
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Tilting
Display sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 230k dots 920k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display technology TFT Color LCD Tilt Up 80°, Down 45° TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic (optional)
Features
Min shutter speed 8s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/1600s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter rate 1.0 frames per second 10.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 5.60 m 12.00 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize - 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4 AVCHD
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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 123g (0.27 lbs) 269g (0.59 lbs)
Physical dimensions 96 x 57 x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") 111 x 59 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 77
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.6
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 12.7
DXO Low light score not tested 1079
Other
Battery life 260 pictures 460 pictures
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - NPFW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images))
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots One One
Retail price $149 $550