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Panasonic FS12 vs Sony NEX-5N

Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
14
Overall
26
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-5N front
Portability
89
Imaging
56
Features
69
Overall
61

Panasonic FS12 vs Sony NEX-5N Key Specs

Panasonic FS12
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600 (Raise to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 31-124mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 129g - 97 x 55 x 22mm
  • Revealed April 2009
Sony NEX-5N
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 269g - 111 x 59 x 38mm
  • Launched October 2011
  • Old Model is Sony NEX-5
  • Updated by Sony NEX-5R
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Panasonic FS12 vs Sony NEX-5N Overview

Its time to take a deeper look at the Panasonic FS12 vs Sony NEX-5N, one is a Ultracompact and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by manufacturers Panasonic and Sony. There exists a huge gap between the resolutions of the FS12 (12MP) and NEX-5N (16MP) and the FS12 (1/2.3") and NEX-5N (APS-C) offer totally different sensor sizes.

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The FS12 was released 3 years earlier than the NEX-5N which is quite a significant gap as far as technology is concerned. Both cameras have different body design with the Panasonic FS12 being a Ultracompact camera and the Sony NEX-5N being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving straight to a detailed comparison, here is a short synopsis of how the FS12 scores against the NEX-5N with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FS12 over the Sony NEX-5N

 FS12 NEX-5N 

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5N over the Panasonic FS12

 NEX-5N FS12 
LaunchedOctober 2011April 2009More modern by 29 months
Manually focus Very precise focusing
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution920k230kClearer screen (+690k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Panasonic FS12 and Sony NEX-5N

 FS12 NEX-5N 
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen

Panasonic FS12 vs Sony NEX-5N Physical Comparison

If you're intending to carry around your camera, you'll have to consider its weight and size. The Panasonic FS12 has got exterior measurements of 97mm x 55mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.9") along with a weight of 129 grams (0.28 lbs) whilst the Sony NEX-5N has specifications of 111mm x 59mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") and a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs).

Examine the Panasonic FS12 vs Sony NEX-5N in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are utilizing at that moment. Underneath is a front view size comparison of the FS12 versus the NEX-5N.

Panasonic FS12 vs Sony NEX-5N size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the FS12 and NEX-5N is 95 and 89 respectively.

Panasonic FS12 vs Sony NEX-5N top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FS12 vs Sony NEX-5N Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is difficult to envision the contrast between sensor sizes merely by checking technical specs. The image below will help provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the FS12 and NEX-5N.

As you have seen, each of the cameras have different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The FS12 due to its tinier sensor will make getting bokeh more challenging and the Sony NEX-5N will resolve more detail as a result of its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop photographs a bit more aggressively. The more aged FS12 is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.

Panasonic FS12 vs Sony NEX-5N sensor size comparison

Panasonic FS12 vs Sony NEX-5N Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FS12 vs Sony NEX-5N Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FS12 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony NEX-5N as a Portrait photography camera
21
manual focus not available
no manual control
can't use external flash
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
73
you can focus manually
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
comes with face detect autofocus
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FS12 as a Street photography camera
Sony NEX-5N as a Street photography camera
57
has image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
80
has a tilting screen
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
provides touch focus
very good high ISO (25,600)
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FS12 as a Sports photography camera
Sony NEX-5N as a Sports photography camera
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
continuous shooting slow (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
58
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
great battery life (460 per charge)
does not have image stabilization
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FS12 as a Travel photography camera
Sony NEX-5N as a Travel photography camera
51
has built in flash
missing Time Lapse recording
low MP (12 megapixels)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
wide angle not good (31mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
70
great battery life (460 per charge)
provides touch focus
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
no Timelapse recording
screen isn't selfie friendly
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FS12 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony NEX-5N as a Landscape photography camera
28
has image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (31mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
no manual control
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
missing Time Lapse recording
71
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Sony E mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
very good high ISO (25,600)
delivers RAW files
great battery life (460 shots)
does not have image stabilization
no Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic FS12
Vlogging with Sony NEX-5N
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not good (31mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
video resolution low (640 x 480 pxls)
missing mic support
33
built-in touchscreen
comes with face detect autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
no microphone port
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Panasonic FS12 vs Sony NEX-5N Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FS12 and Sony NEX-5N
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12Sony Alpha NEX-5N
General Information
Company Panasonic Sony
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12 Sony Alpha NEX-5N
Type Ultracompact Entry-Level Mirrorless
Revealed 2009-04-17 2011-10-03
Body design Ultracompact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - 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 surface area 27.7mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4000 x 3000 4912 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 1600 25600
Maximum enhanced ISO 6400 -
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points - 25
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Sony E
Lens focal range 31-124mm (4.0x) -
Maximum aperture f/2.8-5.9 -
Macro focus distance 5cm -
Total lenses - 121
Crop factor 5.9 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen size 2.7 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 230k dot 920k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen tech - Tilt Up 80°, Down 45° TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic (optional)
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter speed 2.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 6.30 m 12.00 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync - 1/160s
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) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 640x480 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG AVCHD
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
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
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 129 gr (0.28 lbs) 269 gr (0.59 lbs)
Physical dimensions 97 x 55 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.9") 111 x 59 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 77
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.6
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 12.7
DXO Low light score not tested 1079
Other
Battery life - 460 photographs
Battery form - Battery Pack
Battery model - NPFW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images))
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC card, Internal SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots 1 1
Price at release $228 $550