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Panasonic FX90 vs Panasonic SZ5

Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
34
Overall
34
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX90 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5 front
Portability
95
Imaging
38
Features
34
Overall
36

Panasonic FX90 vs Panasonic SZ5 Key Specs

Panasonic FX90
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-120mm (F2.5-5.9) lens
  • 149g - 102 x 56 x 22mm
  • Revealed August 2011
Panasonic SZ5
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Bump to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 136g - 104 x 58 x 21mm
  • Introduced July 2012
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Panasonic FX90 vs Panasonic SZ5 Overview

Following is a complete review of the Panasonic FX90 and Panasonic SZ5, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras and both are offered by Panasonic. The image resolution of the FX90 (12MP) and the SZ5 (14MP) is pretty similar and both cameras provide the same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The FX90 was announced 10 months prior to the SZ5 which means that they are of a similar generation. Both cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before delving straight to a detailed comparison, here is a brief summary of how the FX90 matches up vs the SZ5 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FX90 over the Panasonic SZ5

 FX90 SZ5 
Screen resolution460k230kCrisper screen (+230k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ5 over the Panasonic FX90

 SZ5 FX90 
IntroducedJuly 2012August 2011More modern by 10 months

Common features in the Panasonic FX90 and Panasonic SZ5

 FX90 SZ5 
Manual focus Lack of manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen measurements
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen

Panasonic FX90 vs Panasonic SZ5 Physical Comparison

In case you're going to carry around your camera, you'll have to factor its weight and size. The Panasonic FX90 offers outside dimensions of 102mm x 56mm x 22mm (4.0" x 2.2" x 0.9") along with a weight of 149 grams (0.33 lbs) while the Panasonic SZ5 has specifications of 104mm x 58mm x 21mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 0.8") having a weight of 136 grams (0.30 lbs).

Examine the Panasonic FX90 and Panasonic SZ5 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you choose at that time. Following is a front view over all size comparison of the FX90 versus the SZ5.

Panasonic FX90 vs Panasonic SZ5 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the FX90 and SZ5 is 95 and 95 respectively.

Panasonic FX90 vs Panasonic SZ5 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FX90 vs Panasonic SZ5 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is difficult to picture the contrast between sensor sizes just by going over technical specs. The picture here will provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the FX90 and SZ5.

As you can tell, each of the cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit different MP. You should expect the Panasonic SZ5 to deliver greater detail with its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop photographs more aggressively. The more aged FX90 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.

Panasonic FX90 vs Panasonic SZ5 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FX90 vs Panasonic SZ5 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FX90 vs Panasonic SZ5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FX90 Portrait photography advice
Panasonic SZ5 Portrait photography advice
21
no manual focus
lack of manual mode
can't use external flash
MP count low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
34
good megapixels (14MP)
features face detection focusing
no manual focus
no manual exposure
no external flash support
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FX90 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic SZ5 as a Street photography camera
62
image stabilization (Optical)
has touch focus
screen is fixed
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
63
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (136g)
no articulating screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FX90 Sports photography highlights
Panasonic SZ5 Sports photography highlights
30
image stabilization (Optical)
provides tracking autofocus
slow continuous shooting (4.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
MP count low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
not so great battery pack (200 CIPA)
has no phase detect autofocus
40
has image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
features tracking autofocus
low frames per second (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FX90 Travel photography highlights
Panasonic SZ5 Travel photography highlights
60
has touch focus
built-in flash
really wide (24mm)
does not have Timelapse recording
not so great battery pack (200 per charge)
MP count low (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f2.5)
70
lighter than average (136g)
good megapixels (14MP)
has built in flash
decently wide (25mm)
very long reach (250mm)
no Timelapse mode
does not have selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FX90 Landscape photography features
Panasonic SZ5 Landscape photography features
36
really wide (24mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.5)
lack of manual mode
MP count low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
not so great battery pack (200 shots)
does not have Timelapse recording
42
decently wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (14MP)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
no manual exposure
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
no Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FX90 Vlogging highlights
Panasonic SZ5 Vlogging highlights
33
really wide (24mm)
built-in touchscreen
image stabilization (Optical)
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
slow maximum aperture (f2.5)
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have external microphone jack
32
decently wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
features face detection focusing
lighter than average (136 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
does not have selfie friendly display
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
no external microphone port
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Panasonic FX90 vs Panasonic SZ5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FX90 and Panasonic SZ5
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX90Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5
General Information
Make Panasonic Panasonic
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX90 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2011-08-26 2012-07-18
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 14MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4000 x 3000 4320 x 3240
Max native ISO 6400 1600
Max enhanced ISO - 6400
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 23 23
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-120mm (5.0x) 25-250mm (10.0x)
Max aperture f/2.5-5.9 f/3.1-5.9
Macro focusing distance 3cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.9
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 460 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display tech TFT LCD TFT Screen LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60s 8s
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/1600s
Continuous shutter speed 4.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 5.90 m 5.60 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60, 30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720p ( 30,25 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, AVCHD MPEG-4
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
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 149 grams (0.33 pounds) 136 grams (0.30 pounds)
Physical dimensions 102 x 56 x 22mm (4.0" x 2.2" x 0.9") 104 x 58 x 21mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 0.8")
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 life 200 photos 250 photos
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 secs)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots One One
Cost at release $227 $195