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Panasonic FP1 vs Panasonic SZ5

Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
13
Overall
26
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP1 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5 front
Portability
95
Imaging
38
Features
34
Overall
36

Panasonic FP1 vs Panasonic SZ5 Key Specs

Panasonic FP1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 35-140mm (F3.5-5.9) lens
  • 151g - 99 x 59 x 19mm
  • Revealed January 2010
Panasonic SZ5
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Push to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 136g - 104 x 58 x 21mm
  • Introduced July 2012
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Panasonic FP1 vs Panasonic SZ5 Overview

Following is a complete assessment of the Panasonic FP1 vs Panasonic SZ5, former is a Ultracompact while the other is a Small Sensor Compact and they are both manufactured by Panasonic. The resolution of the FP1 (12MP) and the SZ5 (14MP) is very similar and they use the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The FP1 was introduced 3 years earlier than the SZ5 which is quite a sizable difference as far as tech is concerned. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic FP1 being a Ultracompact camera and the Panasonic SZ5 being a Compact camera.

Before diving straight into a more detailed comparison, below is a concise view of how the FP1 grades vs the SZ5 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FP1 over the Panasonic SZ5

 FP1 SZ5 

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ5 over the Panasonic FP1

 SZ5 FP1 
IntroducedJuly 2012January 2010More modern by 30 months
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")

Common features in the Panasonic FP1 and Panasonic SZ5

 FP1 SZ5 
Manual focus Lack of manual focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kIdentical display resolution
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch display Lacking Touch display

Panasonic FP1 vs Panasonic SZ5 Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to carry around your camera often, you will have to think about its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic FP1 enjoys external measurements of 99mm x 59mm x 19mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.7") and a weight of 151 grams (0.33 lbs) while the Panasonic SZ5 has dimensions of 104mm x 58mm x 21mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 0.8") and a weight of 136 grams (0.30 lbs).

Contrast the Panasonic FP1 vs Panasonic SZ5 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are working with at that moment. Underneath is the front view dimension comparison of the FP1 against the SZ5.

Panasonic FP1 vs Panasonic SZ5 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the FP1 and SZ5 is 95 and 95 respectively.

Panasonic FP1 vs Panasonic SZ5 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FP1 vs Panasonic SZ5 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is difficult to visualize the gap between sensor sizes merely by reviewing specifications. The pic here will help offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the FP1 and SZ5.

Plainly, both cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but different resolution. You can expect to see the Panasonic SZ5 to deliver more detail using its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also make it easier to crop images far more aggressively. The more aged FP1 is going to be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Panasonic FP1 vs Panasonic SZ5 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FP1 vs Panasonic SZ5 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FP1 vs Panasonic SZ5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FP1 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic SZ5 as a Portrait photography camera
21
manual focus not available
no manual control
cannot use external flash
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
34
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
provides face detection focusing
manual focus not available
manual exposure not available
external flash not possible
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FP1 Street photography details
Panasonic SZ5 Street photography details
55
image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
heavier than competitors (151g)
63
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (136g)
screen is fixed
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FP1 Sports photography features
Panasonic SZ5 Sports photography features
25
image stabilization (Optical)
max fps very slow (6.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
megapixel count low (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
40
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
provides tracking autofocus
max fps low (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FP1 Travel photography highlights
Panasonic SZ5 Travel photography highlights
50
built-in flash
lack of Time Lapse mode
heavier than competitors (151 grams)
megapixel count low (12MP)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
wide angle not great (35mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
70
lighter than competitors in class (136g)
decent megapixels (14MP)
flash built-in
pretty wide (25mm)
great reach (250mm)
no Timelapse recording
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic FP1
Landscape photography with Panasonic SZ5
28
image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (35mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
no manual control
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
lack of Time Lapse mode
42
pretty wide (25mm)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
manual exposure not available
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
no Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FP1 Vlogging factors
Panasonic SZ5 Vlogging factors
25
image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not great (35mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of mic port
heavier than competitors (151 grams)
32
pretty wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detection focusing
lighter than competitors in class (136 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen is not selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
no external microphone socket
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Panasonic FP1 vs Panasonic SZ5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FP1 and Panasonic SZ5
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP1Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Panasonic
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP1 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5
Type Ultracompact Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2010-01-06 2012-07-18
Physical type Ultracompact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Venus Engine IV -
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 surface area 27.7mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 14MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4000 x 3000 4320 x 3240
Highest native ISO 6400 1600
Highest boosted ISO - 6400
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 9 23
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 35-140mm (4.0x) 25-250mm (10.0x)
Max aperture f/3.5-5.9 f/3.1-5.9
Macro focusing distance 10cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.7 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen tech - TFT Screen LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 secs 8 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shooting rate 6.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 4.90 m (Auto ISO) 5.60 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
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), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1280 x 720p ( 30,25 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4
Microphone port
Headphone port
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
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 151 gr (0.33 pounds) 136 gr (0.30 pounds)
Dimensions 99 x 59 x 19mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.7") 104 x 58 x 21mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 0.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life - 250 pictures
Form of battery - Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 secs)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Cost at launch $153 $195