Panasonic FS12 vs Panasonic SZ5
95 Imaging
34 Features
14 Overall
26


95 Imaging
37 Features
34 Overall
35
Panasonic FS12 vs Panasonic SZ5 Key Specs
(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
(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

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").

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.

Panasonic FS12 vs Panasonic SZ5 Gallery
This is a preview of the gallery images for Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12 & Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5. The entire galleries are viewable at Panasonic FS12 Gallery & Panasonic SZ5 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Panasonic FS12 over the Panasonic SZ5
FS12 | SZ5 |
---|
Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ5 over the Panasonic FS12
SZ5 | FS12 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | July 2012 | ![]() | April 2009 | More modern by 39 months |
Screen dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
Common features in the Panasonic FS12 and Panasonic SZ5
FS12 | SZ5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | Lack of manual focus | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | The 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.
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.

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

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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FS12 vs Panasonic SZ5 Specifications
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12 | Panasonic 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 |