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Panasonic FS12 vs Samsung HZ50W

Portability
95
Imaging
34
Features
14
Overall
26
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12 front
 
Samsung HZ50W front
Portability
70
Imaging
37
Features
44
Overall
39

Panasonic FS12 vs Samsung HZ50W Key Specs

Panasonic FS12
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600 (Expand to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 31-124mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 129g - 97 x 55 x 22mm
  • Launched April 2009
Samsung HZ50W
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 64 - 3200 (Expand to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-676mm (F2.8-5.0) lens
  • 426g - 116 x 83 x 91mm
  • Released May 2010
  • Also Known as WB5500
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Panasonic FS12 vs Samsung HZ50W Overview

Let's look more in depth at the Panasonic FS12 versus Samsung HZ50W, former being a Ultracompact while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by companies Panasonic and Samsung. The sensor resolution of the FS12 (12MP) and the HZ50W (14MP) is pretty close and both cameras have the identical sensor size (1/2.3").

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The FS12 was revealed 12 months earlier than the HZ50W so they are both of a similar age. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic FS12 being a Ultracompact camera and the Samsung HZ50W being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before getting straight to a step-by-step comparison, here is a short view of how the FS12 matches up versus the HZ50W with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FS12 over the Samsung HZ50W

 FS12 HZ50W 

Reasons to pick Samsung HZ50W over the Panasonic FS12

 HZ50W FS12 
ReleasedMay 2010April 2009More recent by 12 months
Manual focus Dial accurate focus
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")

Common features in the Panasonic FS12 and Samsung HZ50W

 FS12 HZ50W 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kEqual screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch screen Neither comes with Touch screen

Panasonic FS12 vs Samsung HZ50W Physical Comparison

If you're going to lug around your camera often, you will have to factor in its weight and measurements. The Panasonic FS12 comes with outside measurements of 97mm x 55mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.9") and a weight of 129 grams (0.28 lbs) whilst the Samsung HZ50W has proportions of 116mm x 83mm x 91mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 3.6") accompanied by a weight of 426 grams (0.94 lbs).

Examine the Panasonic FS12 versus Samsung HZ50W in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you have attached at that time. Here is a front view over all size comparison of the FS12 vs the HZ50W.

Panasonic FS12 vs Samsung HZ50W size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the FS12 and HZ50W is 95 and 70 respectively.

Panasonic FS12 vs Samsung HZ50W top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FS12 vs Samsung HZ50W Sensor Comparison

Often, it is difficult to visualize the gap in sensor measurements merely by viewing specifications. The graphic below might give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the FS12 and HZ50W.

To sum up, both of these cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit different MP. You can expect the Samsung HZ50W to result in extra detail because of its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will help you crop pictures way more aggressively. The older FS12 will be behind in sensor tech.

Panasonic FS12 vs Samsung HZ50W sensor size comparison

Panasonic FS12 vs Samsung HZ50W Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FS12 vs Samsung HZ50W Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic FS12
Portrait photography with Samsung HZ50W
20
manual focus not available
manual exposure not available
external flash not possible
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
46
manual focus
decent megapixels (14MP)
supports RAW formats
cannot use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FS12 as a Street photography camera
Samsung HZ50W as a Street photography camera
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW formats
no articulating screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FS12 Sports photography info
Samsung HZ50W Sports photography info
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
slow fps (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
48
amazing zoom range (26-676mm 26.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (14MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FS12 Travel photography highlights
Samsung HZ50W Travel photography highlights
51
flash built-in
lack of Timelapse mode
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
wide angle not fantastic (31mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
58
decent megapixels (14MP)
flash built-in
rather wide (26mm)
great reach (676mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic FS12
Landscape photography with Samsung HZ50W
27
has image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (31mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
tiny screen (2.7")
manual exposure not available
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
lack of Timelapse mode
51
manual focus
rather wide (26mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (14MP)
supports RAW formats
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FS12 Vlogging advice
Samsung HZ50W Vlogging advice
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not fantastic (31mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
low quality video (640 x 480 pixels)
lack of external microphone socket
24
rather wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen is not selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have external mic port
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Panasonic FS12 vs Samsung HZ50W Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FS12 and Samsung HZ50W
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12Samsung HZ50W
General Information
Brand Panasonic Samsung
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12 Samsung HZ50W
Also referred to as - WB5500
Class Ultracompact Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2009-04-17 2010-05-03
Body design Ultracompact SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4000 x 3000 4320 x 3240
Maximum native ISO 1600 3200
Maximum enhanced ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 80 64
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 31-124mm (4.0x) 26-676mm (26.0x)
Maximum aperture f/2.8-5.9 f/2.8-5.0
Macro focusing distance 5cm 10cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.9
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.7" 3"
Resolution of screen 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Features
Min shutter speed 60s 16s
Max shutter speed 1/2000s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter speed 2.0fps -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 6.30 m 5.60 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (60, 30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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 seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 129g (0.28 lb) 426g (0.94 lb)
Physical dimensions 97 x 55 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.9") 116 x 83 x 91mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 3.6")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 ID - SLB-11A
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Double)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC card, Internal SC/SDHC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Pricing at release $228 $250