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Panasonic FS12 vs Sony NEX-5T

Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
14
Overall
26
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-5T front
Portability
89
Imaging
58
Features
79
Overall
66

Panasonic FS12 vs Sony NEX-5T Key Specs

Panasonic FS12
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600 (Push to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 31-124mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 129g - 97 x 55 x 22mm
  • Introduced April 2009
Sony NEX-5T
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 276g - 111 x 59 x 39mm
  • Launched August 2013
  • Succeeded the Sony NEX-5R
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Panasonic FS12 vs Sony NEX-5T Overview

Lets look more closely at the Panasonic FS12 and Sony NEX-5T, former is a Ultracompact while the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by brands Panasonic and Sony. There is a substantial difference among the resolutions of the FS12 (12MP) and NEX-5T (16MP) and the FS12 (1/2.3") and NEX-5T (APS-C) use totally different sensor sizes.

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The FS12 was manufactured 5 years earlier than the NEX-5T which is a fairly big difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic FS12 being a Ultracompact camera and the Sony NEX-5T being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before getting in to a full comparison, below is a concise summary of how the FS12 scores versus the NEX-5T when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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

 FS12 NEX-5T 

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

 NEX-5T FS12 
LaunchedAugust 2013April 2009Newer by 53 months
Focus manually Dial exact focusing
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display dimension3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution922k230kCrisper display (+692k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch display Easily navigate

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

 FS12 NEX-5T 

Panasonic FS12 vs Sony NEX-5T Physical Comparison

If you are looking to travel with your camera regularly, you will need to consider its weight and measurements. The Panasonic FS12 enjoys exterior dimensions of 97mm x 55mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.9") having a weight of 129 grams (0.28 lbs) and the Sony NEX-5T has proportions of 111mm x 59mm x 39mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") along with a weight of 276 grams (0.61 lbs).

Look at the Panasonic FS12 and Sony NEX-5T in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are using at the time. Following is the front view measurement comparison of the FS12 compared to the NEX-5T.

Panasonic FS12 vs Sony NEX-5T size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the FS12 and NEX-5T is 95 and 89 respectively.

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

Panasonic FS12 vs Sony NEX-5T Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is tough to envision the gap in sensor dimensions merely by checking out technical specs. The image underneath may offer you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the FS12 and NEX-5T.

As you can tell, the two cameras have got different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The FS12 due to its smaller sensor will make achieving shallower DOF harder and the Sony NEX-5T will provide greater detail due to its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will allow you to crop pics much more aggressively. The more aged FS12 will be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.

Panasonic FS12 vs Sony NEX-5T sensor size comparison

Panasonic FS12 vs Sony NEX-5T Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FS12 vs Sony NEX-5T Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FS12 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony NEX-5T as a Portrait photography camera
21
no manual focus
no manual control
cannot use external flash
resolution not great (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
74
you can focus manually
good megapixels (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
comes with face detect focusing
exports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FS12 Street photography information
Sony NEX-5T Street photography information
57
image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
80
screen tilts up and down
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW files
supports touch to focus
above average high ISO (25,600)
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FS12 Sports photography highlights
Sony NEX-5T Sports photography highlights
25
image stabilization (Optical)
max fps very slow (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
69
good megapixels (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
comes with tracking focus
supports phase detect AF
does not have image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FS12 as a Travel photography camera
Sony NEX-5T as a Travel photography camera
51
flash built-in
doesn't have Timelapse mode
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
does not contain selfie friendly display
wide angle not the best (31mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
77
supports touch to focus
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
screen is selfie friendly
no Time Lapse recording
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic FS12
Landscape photography with Sony NEX-5T
28
image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (31mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
no manual control
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
doesn't have Timelapse mode
70
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is good (3")
good megapixels (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
above average high ISO (25,600)
exports RAW files
does not have image stabilization
no Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic FS12
Vlogging with Sony NEX-5T
25
image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not the best (31mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
does not contain selfie friendly display
low res video (640 x 480 pixels)
doesn't have external microphone port
73
screen is selfie friendly
touchscreen capability
comes with face detect focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does not have image stabilization
no mic socket
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Panasonic FS12 vs Sony NEX-5T Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FS12 and Sony NEX-5T
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12Sony Alpha NEX-5T
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Sony
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12 Sony Alpha NEX-5T
Class Ultracompact Entry-Level Mirrorless
Introduced 2009-04-17 2013-08-27
Physical type Ultracompact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Bionz
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4000 x 3000 4912 x 3264
Max native ISO 1600 25600
Max boosted ISO 6400 -
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points - 99
Cross 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
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display size 2.7 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 230 thousand dots 922 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display technology - Tilt Up 180° Down 50° TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic (optional)
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 2.0 frames per sec 10.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 6.30 m 7.00 m (ISO100)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize - 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1920 x1080 (60p/60i/24p)
Max video resolution 640x480 1920x1080
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
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
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 129 grams (0.28 pounds) 276 grams (0.61 pounds)
Dimensions 97 x 55 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.9") 111 x 59 x 39mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 78
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.6
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 13.0
DXO Low light score not tested 1015
Other
Battery life - 330 photographs
Battery type - Battery Pack
Battery model - NPFW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes ((10/2 sec. delay), Self-timer (Cont.) (with 10 sec. delay; 3/5 exposures))
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC card, Internal SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Single Single
Retail pricing $228 $400