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Panasonic FZ100 vs Panasonic SZ5

Portability
67
Imaging
37
Features
62
Overall
47
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ100 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5 front
Portability
95
Imaging
38
Features
34
Overall
36

Panasonic FZ100 vs Panasonic SZ5 Key Specs

Panasonic FZ100
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-600mm (F2.8-5.2) lens
  • 540g - 124 x 82 x 92mm
  • Launched July 2010
  • Renewed by Panasonic FZ200
Panasonic SZ5
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Expand to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 136g - 104 x 58 x 21mm
  • Launched July 2012
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Panasonic FZ100 vs Panasonic SZ5 Overview

Below, we will be comparing the Panasonic FZ100 versus Panasonic SZ5, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact and they are both designed by Panasonic. The resolution of the FZ100 (14MP) and the SZ5 (14MP) is relatively similar and they use the exact same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The FZ100 was introduced 24 months before the SZ5 which makes the cameras a generation apart from each other. Both of these cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic FZ100 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Panasonic SZ5 being a Compact camera.

Before getting straight into a in-depth comparison, below is a concise summary of how the FZ100 grades against the SZ5 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FZ100 over the Panasonic SZ5

 FZ100 SZ5 
Manually focus Dial accurate focus
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen resolution460k230kClearer screen (+230k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ5 over the Panasonic FZ100

 SZ5 FZ100 
LaunchedJuly 2012July 2010Fresher by 24 months

Common features in the Panasonic FZ100 and Panasonic SZ5

 FZ100 SZ5 
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen dimensions
Touch friendly screen No Touch friendly screen

Panasonic FZ100 vs Panasonic SZ5 Physical Comparison

When you are going to carry your camera, you'll need to think about its weight and volume. The Panasonic FZ100 has got physical measurements of 124mm x 82mm x 92mm (4.9" x 3.2" x 3.6") with a weight of 540 grams (1.19 lbs) whilst the Panasonic SZ5 has sizing of 104mm x 58mm x 21mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 0.8") and a weight of 136 grams (0.30 lbs).

Check the Panasonic FZ100 versus Panasonic SZ5 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you use at that moment. Below is the front view dimension comparison of the FZ100 versus the SZ5.

Panasonic FZ100 vs Panasonic SZ5 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the FZ100 and SZ5 is 67 and 95 respectively.

Panasonic FZ100 vs Panasonic SZ5 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FZ100 vs Panasonic SZ5 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is very tough to envision the contrast between sensor sizing simply by reading a spec sheet. The photograph below will provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the FZ100 and SZ5.

As you can see, both of the cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements and the same exact megapixels and you can expect similar quality of pictures but you should really factor the age of the products into consideration. The older FZ100 is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.

Panasonic FZ100 vs Panasonic SZ5 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FZ100 vs Panasonic SZ5 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FZ100 vs Panasonic SZ5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FZ100 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic SZ5 as a Portrait photography camera
54
manual focus
megapixel count good (14MP)
features face detection autofocus
saves RAW files
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
34
good megapixels (14MP)
features face detect focus
no manual focus
manual mode not available
cannot use external flash
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FZ100 Street photography factors
Panasonic SZ5 Street photography factors
58
fully articulated screen
image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW files
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
heavier than average (540g)
63
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (136g)
fixed screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FZ100 Sports photography advice
Panasonic SZ5 Sports photography advice
51
long zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
features tracking autofocus
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
40
has image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
features tracking focus
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic FZ100
Travel photography with Panasonic SZ5
59
megapixel count good (14MP)
flash built-in
selfie friendly screen
quite wide (25mm)
long zoom (600mm)
missing Time Lapse function
heavier than average (540g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
70
lighter than competition in class (136g)
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
fairly wide (25mm)
long zoom (250mm)
lack of Timelapse recording
display isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FZ100 Landscape photography info
Panasonic SZ5 Landscape photography info
51
manual focus
quite wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
saves RAW files
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
missing Time Lapse function
42
fairly wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
manual mode not available
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
lack of Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FZ100 Vlogging info
Panasonic SZ5 Vlogging info
64
quite wide (25mm)
selfie friendly screen
image stabilization (Optical)
features face detection autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does have external mic port
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
heavier than average (540g)
32
fairly wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect focus
lighter than competition in class (136g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
display isn't selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of microphone port
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Panasonic FZ100 vs Panasonic SZ5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FZ100 and Panasonic SZ5
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ100Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5
General Information
Make Panasonic Panasonic
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ100 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2010-07-21 2012-07-18
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Venus Engine FHD -
Sensor type CMOS 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 14 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4320 x 3240 4320 x 3240
Max native ISO 6400 1600
Max enhanced ISO - 6400
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points - 23
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-600mm (24.0x) 25-250mm (10.0x)
Largest aperture f/2.8-5.2 f/3.1-5.9
Macro focus range 1cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.9
Screen
Range of display Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 460k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display tech - TFT Screen LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 secs 8 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shutter speed 11.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 9.50 m 5.60 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1280 x 720p ( 30,25 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format AVCHD MPEG-4
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
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
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 540 grams (1.19 lbs) 136 grams (0.30 lbs)
Dimensions 124 x 82 x 92mm (4.9" x 3.2" x 3.6") 104 x 58 x 21mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 0.8")
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 - 250 images
Battery form - Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs) Yes (2 or 10 secs)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots One One
Pricing at release $500 $195