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Panasonic FP5 vs Sony S950

Portability
95
Imaging
37
Features
33
Overall
35
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP5 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S950 front
Portability
94
Imaging
33
Features
17
Overall
26

Panasonic FP5 vs Sony S950 Key Specs

Panasonic FP5
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 35-140mm (F3.5-5.9) lens
  • 141g - 101 x 59 x 18mm
  • Revealed January 2011
Sony S950
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • 33-132mm (F3.3-5.2) lens
  • 167g - 93 x 56 x 24mm
  • Revealed February 2009
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Panasonic FP5 vs Sony S950 Overview

Below, we are evaluating the Panasonic FP5 and Sony S950, former being a Ultracompact while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by companies Panasonic and Sony. There exists a noticeable gap between the sensor resolutions of the FP5 (14MP) and S950 (10MP) but they come with the exact same sensor size (1/2.3").

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The FP5 was brought out 23 months later than the S950 making the cameras a generation apart from one another. Both of these cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic FP5 being a Ultracompact camera and the Sony S950 being a Compact camera.

Before getting in to a more detailed comparison, below is a quick summary of how the FP5 matches up vs the S950 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FP5 over the Sony S950

 FP5 S950 
RevealedJanuary 2011February 2009Fresher by 23 months
Display dimension3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Sony S950 over the Panasonic FP5

 S950 FP5 
Manual focus Very exact focusing

Common features in the Panasonic FP5 and Sony S950

 FP5 S950 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kEqual display resolution
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen

Panasonic FP5 vs Sony S950 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is looking to carry your camera, you have to consider its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic FP5 offers physical measurements of 101mm x 59mm x 18mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 0.7") and a weight of 141 grams (0.31 lbs) and the Sony S950 has dimensions of 93mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Contrast the Panasonic FP5 and Sony S950 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are working with at that moment. Following is the front view scale comparison of the FP5 compared to the S950.

Panasonic FP5 vs Sony S950 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the FP5 and S950 is 95 and 94 respectively.

Panasonic FP5 vs Sony S950 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FP5 vs Sony S950 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, its tough to imagine the contrast between sensor sizing only by looking at technical specs. The visual below might offer you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the FP5 and S950.

As you can tell, both of these cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements but different MP. You can expect to see the Panasonic FP5 to give you greater detail having its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop pics much more aggressively. The fresher FP5 should have an advantage when it comes to sensor innovation.

Panasonic FP5 vs Sony S950 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FP5 vs Sony S950 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FP5 vs Sony S950 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FP5 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony S950 as a Portrait photography camera
33
resolution is good (14MP)
comes with face detection autofocus
manual focus not available
manual exposure not available
cannot use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
26
manual focus
no manual control
can't use external flash
low resolution sensor (10MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic FP5
Street photography with Sony S950
63
has image stabilization (Optical)
provides touch focus
no articulating screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
56
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
screen does not articulate
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FP5 Sports photography features
Sony S950 Sports photography features
43
has image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
comes with tracking autofocus
good battery (260 per charge)
max fps low (6.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
24
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
max fps low (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
low resolution sensor (10MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FP5 Travel photography features
Sony S950 Travel photography features
65
good battery (260 per charge)
provides touch focus
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
missing Time Lapse function
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
wide angle not good (35mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
50
has built in flash
missing Timelapse mode
low resolution sensor (10 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not good (33mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FP5 Landscape photography highlights
Sony S950 Landscape photography highlights
40
screen is a good size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (14MP)
good battery (260 shots)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (35mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
manual exposure not available
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
missing Time Lapse function
31
manual focus
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (33mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
no manual control
low resolution sensor (10MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
missing Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FP5 Vlogging advice
Sony S950 Vlogging advice
30
screen is touchscreen
has image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detection autofocus
wide angle not good (35mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing external mic port
9
can't record video
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Panasonic FP5 vs Sony S950 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FP5 and Sony S950
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP5Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S950
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Sony
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP5 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S950
Type Ultracompact Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2011-01-05 2009-02-17
Physical type Ultracompact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Venus Engine IV -
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 10 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4320 x 3240 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 6400 3200
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 35-140mm (4.0x) 33-132mm (4.0x)
Max aperture f/3.5-5.9 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focus distance 10cm 10cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inch 2.7 inch
Screen resolution 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen tech TFT Touch Screen LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60s 2s
Fastest shutter speed 1/1600s 1/1600s
Continuous shutter rate 6.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 4.90 m 3.50 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AE 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), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) -
Highest video resolution 1280x720 None
Video file format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 141g (0.31 lbs) 167g (0.37 lbs)
Dimensions 101 x 59 x 18mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 0.7") 93 x 56 x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 260 pictures -
Battery type Battery Pack -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Card slots One One
Price at release $199 $130