Clicky

Panasonic FP1 vs Sony NEX-5N

Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
13
Overall
26
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP1 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-5N front
Portability
89
Imaging
56
Features
69
Overall
61

Panasonic FP1 vs Sony NEX-5N 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
  • Introduced January 2010
Sony NEX-5N
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 269g - 111 x 59 x 38mm
  • Revealed October 2011
  • Superseded the Sony NEX-5
  • Later Model is Sony NEX-5R
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Panasonic FP1 vs Sony NEX-5N Overview

Let's look a little more in depth at the Panasonic FP1 vs Sony NEX-5N, former being a Ultracompact while the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by companies Panasonic and Sony. There is a large difference among the image resolutions of the FP1 (12MP) and NEX-5N (16MP) and the FP1 (1/2.3") and NEX-5N (APS-C) posses totally different sensor measurements.

Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

The FP1 was manufactured 21 months earlier than the NEX-5N making them a generation apart from each other. Each of the cameras have different body design with the Panasonic FP1 being a Ultracompact camera and the Sony NEX-5N being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving straight to a step-by-step comparison, here is a quick introduction of how the FP1 grades versus the NEX-5N with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic FP1 over the Sony NEX-5N

 FP1 NEX-5N 

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5N over the Panasonic FP1

 NEX-5N FP1 
RevealedOctober 2011January 2010Fresher by 21 months
Focus manually More precise focusing
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution920k230kSharper display (+690k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Panasonic FP1 and Sony NEX-5N

 FP1 NEX-5N 
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen

Panasonic FP1 vs Sony NEX-5N Physical Comparison

For anyone who is looking to carry your camera, you have to factor in its weight and volume. The Panasonic FP1 provides outside dimensions 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 Sony NEX-5N has sizing of 111mm x 59mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") and a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs).

Look at the Panasonic FP1 vs Sony NEX-5N in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you select at that moment. The following is a front view sizing comparison of the FP1 compared to the NEX-5N.

Panasonic FP1 vs Sony NEX-5N size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the FP1 and NEX-5N is 95 and 89 respectively.

Panasonic FP1 vs Sony NEX-5N top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FP1 vs Sony NEX-5N Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is very hard to visualise the contrast in sensor sizing just by seeing a spec sheet. The graphic here will give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the FP1 and NEX-5N.

As you can see, both of the cameras have different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The FP1 because of its smaller sensor will make achieving shallower DOF trickier and the Sony NEX-5N will show extra detail due to its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop pics a bit more aggressively. The older FP1 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor innovation.

Panasonic FP1 vs Sony NEX-5N sensor size comparison

Panasonic FP1 vs Sony NEX-5N Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FP1 vs Sony NEX-5N Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FP1 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony NEX-5N as a Portrait photography camera
21
manual focus not available
manual mode not possible
external flash not possible
low resolution (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
73
focusing manually
decent MP (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports face detect autofocus
supports RAW formats
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Street Comparison

Panasonic FP1 Street photography highlights
Sony NEX-5N Street photography highlights
55
built in image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
more heavy than average (151 grams)
80
tilting screen
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
offers focus by touch
above average high ISO (25,600)
no image stabilization
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic FP1
Sports photography with Sony NEX-5N
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
max frames per second low (6.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
low resolution (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
58
decent MP (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
good battery pack (460 per charge)
no image stabilization
lacks phase detect autofocus
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Panasonic FP1 Travel photography features
Sony NEX-5N Travel photography features
50
has built in flash
doesn't have Timelapse mode
more heavy than average (151 grams)
low resolution (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not good (35mm)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
70
good battery pack (460 CIPA)
offers focus by touch
decent MP (16MP)
doesn't have Timelapse function
does not offer selfie friendly screen
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FP1 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony NEX-5N as a Landscape photography camera
28
built in image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (35mm)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
small screen (2.7")
manual mode not possible
low resolution (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
doesn't have Timelapse mode
71
focusing manually
change lenses (Sony E mount)
screen is a decent size (3")
decent MP (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
above average high ISO (25,600)
supports RAW formats
good battery pack (460 per charge)
no image stabilization
doesn't have Timelapse function
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FP1 Vlogging details
Sony NEX-5N Vlogging details
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not good (35mm)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
display isn't selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have microphone port
more heavy than average (151 grams)
33
touch screen
supports face detect autofocus
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
doesn't have microphone socket
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Panasonic FP1 vs Sony NEX-5N Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FP1 and Sony NEX-5N
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP1Sony Alpha NEX-5N
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Sony
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP1 Sony Alpha NEX-5N
Type Ultracompact Entry-Level Mirrorless
Introduced 2010-01-06 2011-10-03
Physical type Ultracompact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Venus Engine IV Bionz
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4000 x 3000 4912 x 3264
Max native ISO 6400 25600
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 9 25
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Sony E
Lens zoom range 35-140mm (4.0x) -
Maximal aperture f/3.5-5.9 -
Macro focusing distance 10cm -
Available lenses - 121
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen size 2.7 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 230 thousand dots 920 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen tech - Tilt Up 80°, Down 45° TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic (optional)
Features
Min shutter speed 60s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/1600s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter rate 6.0 frames per sec 10.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 4.90 m (Auto ISO) 12.00 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize - 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), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format Motion JPEG AVCHD
Microphone 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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 151 gr (0.33 lb) 269 gr (0.59 lb)
Physical dimensions 99 x 59 x 19mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.7") 111 x 59 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 77
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.6
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.7
DXO Low light rating not tested 1079
Other
Battery life - 460 pictures
Battery type - Battery Pack
Battery ID - NPFW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images))
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Single Single
Launch pricing $153 $550