Panasonic FH8 vs Sony NEX-5R

Lets take a closer look at the Panasonic FH8 versus Sony NEX-5R, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by competitors Panasonic and Sony. The sensor resolution of the FH8 (16MP) and the NEX-5R (16MP) is pretty close but the FH8 (1/2.3") and NEX-5R (APS-C) posses totally different sensor size.

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The FH8 was introduced 7 months earlier than the NEX-5R so they are both of a similar age. Both the cameras have different body design with the Panasonic FH8 being a Compact camera and the Sony NEX-5R being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving right into a detailed comparison, here is a short summation of how the FH8 scores against the NEX-5R when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Below is a preview of the gallery images for Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH8 & Sony Alpha NEX-5R. The whole galleries are viewable at Panasonic FH8 Gallery & Sony NEX-5R Gallery.

For anyone who is intending to lug around your camera regularly, you are going to need to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic FH8 has got outer dimensions of 96mm x 57mm x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") with a weight of 123 grams (0.27 lbs) whilst the Sony NEX-5R has dimensions of 111mm x 59mm x 39mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") along with a weight of 276 grams (0.61 lbs).

Analyze the Panasonic FH8 versus Sony NEX-5R in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you choose at the time. Following is a front view scale comparison of the FH8 compared to the NEX-5R.

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the FH8 and NEX-5R is 96 and 89 respectively.

More often than not, it is hard to visualise the gap in sensor measurements merely by viewing specifications. The visual underneath should give you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the FH8 and NEX-5R.

To sum up, both the cameras provide the same megapixel count albeit not the same sensor measurements. The FH8 comes with the smaller sensor which is going to make obtaining bokeh more difficult. The older FH8 will be disadvantaged in sensor technology.