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Panasonic FX78 vs Panasonic ZS5

Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
31
Overall
33
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX78 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5 front
Portability
92
Imaging
35
Features
30
Overall
33

Panasonic FX78 vs Panasonic ZS5 Key Specs

Panasonic FX78
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-120mm (F2.5-5.9) lens
  • 142g - 100 x 55 x 21mm
  • Introduced January 2011
  • Also referred to as Lumix DMC-FX77
Panasonic ZS5
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-300mm (F3.3-4.9) lens
  • 214g - 103 x 60 x 32mm
  • Introduced June 2010
  • Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-TZ8
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Panasonic FX78 vs Panasonic ZS5 Overview

Lets look a bit more in depth at the Panasonic FX78 and Panasonic ZS5, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both are sold by Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the FX78 (12MP) and the ZS5 (12MP) is pretty close and both cameras boast the identical sensor size (1/2.3").

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The FX78 was unveiled 8 months after the ZS5 and they are of a similar generation. Both cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before getting right into a thorough comparison, here is a quick synopsis of how the FX78 matches up vs the ZS5 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FX78 over the Panasonic ZS5

 FX78 ZS5 
IntroducedJanuary 2011June 2010More modern by 8 months
Screen size3.5"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.8")
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS5 over the Panasonic FX78

 ZS5 FX78 

Common features in the Panasonic FX78 and Panasonic ZS5

 FX78 ZS5 
Focus manually No manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kSame screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen

Panasonic FX78 vs Panasonic ZS5 Physical Comparison

In case you're aiming to carry around your camera often, you'll have to factor its weight and size. The Panasonic FX78 enjoys outer measurements of 100mm x 55mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") along with a weight of 142 grams (0.31 lbs) whilst the Panasonic ZS5 has specifications of 103mm x 60mm x 32mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 214 grams (0.47 lbs).

Examine the Panasonic FX78 and Panasonic ZS5 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you are using at the time. The following is a front view sizing comparison of the FX78 against the ZS5.

Panasonic FX78 vs Panasonic ZS5 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the FX78 and ZS5 is 95 and 92 respectively.

Panasonic FX78 vs Panasonic ZS5 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FX78 vs Panasonic ZS5 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is very difficult to see the contrast in sensor sizes purely by researching technical specs. The picture below may give you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the FX78 and ZS5.

As you can tell, the two cameras feature the identical sensor size and the identical MP and you should expect comparable quality of pictures although you might want to take the release date of the cameras into account. The more modern FX78 is going to have a benefit with regard to sensor innovation.

Panasonic FX78 vs Panasonic ZS5 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FX78 vs Panasonic ZS5 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FX78 vs Panasonic ZS5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FX78 Portrait photography advice
Panasonic ZS5 Portrait photography advice
21
manual focus not available
no manual control
can't use external flash
MP count low (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
27
provides face detection focusing
manual focus not available
can't use external flash
low MP (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic FX78
Street photography with Panasonic ZS5
57
built in image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
61
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors (214g)
no moving screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FX78 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic ZS5 as a Sports photography camera
28
built in image stabilization (Optical)
features tracking autofocus
max shutter speed is low (1/1,400 seconds)
max fps low (4.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
MP count low (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
bad battery life (200 shots)
lack of phase detect AF
31
built in image stabilization (Optical)
provides tracking autofocus
low max shutter speed (1/1,300 seconds)
continuous shooting slow (2.0 frames/s)
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FX78 Travel photography advice
Panasonic ZS5 Travel photography advice
56
flash built-in
fairly wide (24mm)
missing Time Lapse function
bad battery life (200 per charge)
MP count low (12MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f2.5)
63
lighter than competitors (214g)
has built in flash
fairly wide (25mm)
great zoom (300mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
low MP (12MP)
does not have selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FX78 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic ZS5 as a Landscape photography camera
36
fairly wide (24mm)
lovely big screen (3.5 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.5)
no manual control
MP count low (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
bad battery life (200 shots)
missing Time Lapse function
33
fairly wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
low MP (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
doesn't have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FX78 Vlogging details
Panasonic ZS5 Vlogging details
33
fairly wide (24mm)
touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
slow maximum aperture (f2.5)
display isn't selfie friendly
missing external mic jack
31
fairly wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detection focusing
lighter than competitors (214g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
does not have selfie friendly display
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have external mic port
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Panasonic FX78 vs Panasonic ZS5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FX78 and Panasonic ZS5
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX78Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5
General Information
Company Panasonic Panasonic
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX78 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5
Otherwise known as Lumix DMC-FX77 Lumix DMC-TZ8
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2011-01-25 2010-06-16
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Venus Engine FHD Venus Engine HD II
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 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 11 11
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-120mm (5.0x) 25-300mm (12.0x)
Maximum aperture f/2.5-5.9 f/3.3-4.9
Macro focus distance 5cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.9
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3.5 inches 2.7 inches
Display resolution 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display technology TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 secs 60 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/1400 secs 1/1300 secs
Continuous shutter speed 4.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 5.60 m 5.30 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, AVCHD Motion JPEG
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
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 142 grams (0.31 lbs) 214 grams (0.47 lbs)
Physical dimensions 100 x 55 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") 103 x 60 x 32mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 200 pictures -
Battery form Battery Pack -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Retail cost $210 $300