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Panasonic FS12 vs Panasonic SZ5

Portability
95
Imaging
34
Features
14
Overall
26
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5 front
Portability
95
Imaging
37
Features
34
Overall
35

Panasonic FS12 vs Panasonic SZ5 Key Specs

Panasonic FS12
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600 (Bump to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 31-124mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 129g - 97 x 55 x 22mm
  • Announced April 2009
Panasonic SZ5
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • 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
  • Revealed July 2012
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Panasonic FS12 vs Panasonic SZ5 Overview

Following is a extensive analysis of the Panasonic FS12 vs Panasonic SZ5, former is a Ultracompact while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact and both are produced by Panasonic. The resolution of the FS12 (12MP) and the SZ5 (14MP) is pretty well matched and both cameras boast the same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The FS12 was manufactured 4 years before the SZ5 which is quite a serious difference as far as tech is concerned. The two cameras have different body design with the Panasonic FS12 being a Ultracompact camera and the Panasonic SZ5 being a Compact camera.

Before diving into a step-by-step comparison, here is a quick overview of how the FS12 scores vs the SZ5 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FS12 over the Panasonic SZ5

 FS12 SZ5 

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ5 over the Panasonic FS12

 SZ5 FS12 
RevealedJuly 2012April 2009More modern by 39 months
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")

Common features in the Panasonic FS12 and Panasonic SZ5

 FS12 SZ5 
Manually focus Lack of manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kThe same screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither provides Touch friendly screen

Panasonic FS12 vs Panasonic SZ5 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is intending to carry around your camera regularly, you are going to need to consider its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic FS12 provides external dimensions of 97mm x 55mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.9") and a weight of 129 grams (0.28 lbs) and the Panasonic SZ5 has dimensions of 104mm x 58mm x 21mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 0.8") having a weight of 136 grams (0.30 lbs).

Examine the Panasonic FS12 vs Panasonic SZ5 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you have chosen during that time. Here is a front view overall size comparison of the FS12 vs the SZ5.

Panasonic FS12 vs Panasonic SZ5 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the FS12 and SZ5 is 95 and 95 respectively.

Panasonic FS12 vs Panasonic SZ5 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FS12 vs Panasonic SZ5 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is very difficult to imagine the difference between sensor sizes just by checking specs. The picture below will help give you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the FS12 and SZ5.

All in all, the two cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit different MP. You can expect the Panasonic SZ5 to give you greater detail due to its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will allow you to crop shots a bit more aggressively. The more aged FS12 is going to be behind with regard to sensor technology.

Panasonic FS12 vs Panasonic SZ5 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FS12 vs Panasonic SZ5 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FS12 vs Panasonic SZ5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FS12 Portrait photography highlights
Panasonic SZ5 Portrait photography highlights
20
lack of manual focus
no manual mode
cannot use external flash
sensor resolution low (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
33
MP count good (14 megapixels)
provides face detection focusing
focusing manually not possible
manual mode not possible
external flash not possible
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FS12 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic SZ5 as a Street photography camera
56
image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (136 grams)
no moving screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FS12 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic SZ5 as a Sports photography camera
25
image stabilization (Optical)
low fps (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
39
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (14MP)
provides tracking autofocus
slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
small sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FS12 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic SZ5 as a Travel photography camera
51
built-in flash
lack of Time Lapse recording
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
wide angle not fantastic (31mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
70
lighter than competition in class (136 grams)
MP count good (14MP)
built-in flash
relatively wide (25mm)
very long zoom (250mm)
lack of Timelapse recording
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FS12 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic SZ5 as a Landscape photography camera
27
image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (31mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
no manual mode
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
lack of Time Lapse recording
42
relatively wide (25mm)
good sized screen (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
manual mode not possible
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
lack of Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FS12 Vlogging highlights
Panasonic SZ5 Vlogging highlights
25
image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not fantastic (31mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
low video resolution (640 x 480 pixels)
lack of mic socket
32
relatively wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detection focusing
lighter than competition in class (136 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
display isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of external microphone support
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Panasonic FS12 vs Panasonic SZ5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FS12 and Panasonic SZ5
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5
General Information
Make Panasonic Panasonic
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5
Type Ultracompact Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2009-04-17 2012-07-18
Physical type Ultracompact Compact
Sensor Information
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 area 27.7mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 14MP
Anti aliasing 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 1600 1600
Highest boosted ISO 6400 6400
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points - 23
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 31-124mm (4.0x) 25-250mm (10.0x)
Maximum aperture f/2.8-5.9 f/3.1-5.9
Macro focus range 5cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.7 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display tech - TFT Screen LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60s 8s
Highest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/1600s
Continuous shooting rate 2.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 6.30 m 5.60 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1280 x 720p ( 30,25 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25 fps)
Highest video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4
Microphone support
Headphone support
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
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 129g (0.28 lb) 136g (0.30 lb)
Physical dimensions 97 x 55 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.9") 104 x 58 x 21mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 0.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 - 250 images
Battery style - Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 secs)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Retail price $228 $195