Panasonic FS12 vs Sony HX5

Here, we will be evaluating the Panasonic FS12 vs Sony HX5, one is a Ultracompact and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by manufacturers Panasonic and Sony. The resolution of the FS12 (12MP) and the HX5 (10MP) is pretty comparable but the FS12 (1/2.3") and HX5 (1/2.4") posses different sensor measurements.

Photography Glossary

The FS12 was unveiled 14 months earlier than the HX5 which makes them a generation away from each other. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic FS12 being a Ultracompact camera and the Sony HX5 being a Compact camera.

Before going into a full comparison, here is a simple view of how the FS12 scores against the HX5 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

The following is a preview of the gallery images for Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX5. The full galleries are provided at Panasonic FS12 Gallery and Sony HX5 Gallery.

In case you're aiming to carry around your camera regularly, you are going to need to take into account its weight and measurements. The Panasonic FS12 features physical dimensions of 97mm x 55mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.9") having a weight of 129 grams (0.28 lbs) while the Sony HX5 has proportions of 102mm x 58mm x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1") having a weight of 200 grams (0.44 lbs).

Compare the Panasonic FS12 vs Sony HX5 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you have attached at that moment. The following is a front view overall size comparison of the FS12 against the HX5.

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the FS12 and HX5 is 95 and 92 respectively.

Generally, it can be hard to picture the gap in sensor sizes purely by going through specifications. The image underneath may offer you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the FS12 and HX5.

To sum up, the 2 cameras feature different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The FS12 using its bigger sensor is going to make getting shallow DOF less difficult and the Panasonic FS12 will show more detail having an extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop shots way more aggressively. The more aged FS12 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor technology.