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Panasonic FZ1000 vs Panasonic SZ5

Portability
55
Imaging
51
Features
80
Overall
62
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ1000 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5 front
Portability
95
Imaging
38
Features
34
Overall
36

Panasonic FZ1000 vs Panasonic SZ5 Key Specs

Panasonic FZ1000
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 125 - 12800 (Increase to 25600)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 25-400mm (F2.8-4.0) lens
  • 831g - 137 x 99 x 131mm
  • Introduced June 2014
  • Refreshed by Panasonic FZ2500
Panasonic SZ5
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Boost to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 136g - 104 x 58 x 21mm
  • Announced July 2012
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Panasonic FZ1000 vs Panasonic SZ5 Overview

Here is a extended overview of the Panasonic FZ1000 vs Panasonic SZ5, former being a Large Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Small Sensor Compact and both are offered by Panasonic. There is a large difference among the resolutions of the FZ1000 (20MP) and SZ5 (14MP) and the FZ1000 (1") and SZ5 (1/2.3") boast totally different sensor dimensions.

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The FZ1000 was announced 24 months later than the SZ5 making them a generation apart from each other. Both of the cameras have different body design with the Panasonic FZ1000 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Panasonic SZ5 being a Compact camera.

Before diving right into a detailed comparison, here is a concise view of how the FZ1000 grades against the SZ5 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FZ1000 over the Panasonic SZ5

 FZ1000 SZ5 
AnnouncedJune 2014July 2012Fresher by 24 months
Manual focus Very precise focus
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display resolution921k230kClearer display (+691k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ5 over the Panasonic FZ1000

 SZ5 FZ1000 

Common features in the Panasonic FZ1000 and Panasonic SZ5

 FZ1000 SZ5 
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display sizing
Touch friendly display Neither has Touch friendly display

Panasonic FZ1000 vs Panasonic SZ5 Physical Comparison

For those who are aiming to carry your camera often, you have to consider its weight and proportions. The Panasonic FZ1000 has outside dimensions of 137mm x 99mm x 131mm (5.4" x 3.9" x 5.2") with a weight of 831 grams (1.83 lbs) whilst the Panasonic SZ5 has measurements of 104mm x 58mm x 21mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 0.8") with a weight of 136 grams (0.30 lbs).

Analyze the Panasonic FZ1000 vs Panasonic SZ5 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are using at that time. Here is a front view size comparison of the FZ1000 vs the SZ5.

Panasonic FZ1000 vs Panasonic SZ5 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the FZ1000 and SZ5 is 55 and 95 respectively.

Panasonic FZ1000 vs Panasonic SZ5 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FZ1000 vs Panasonic SZ5 Sensor Comparison

Often, it can be difficult to see the gap in sensor sizing just by going through a spec sheet. The visual below may provide you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the FZ1000 and SZ5.

As you can see, each of these cameras provide different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The FZ1000 having a larger sensor will make getting shallower DOF simpler and the Panasonic FZ1000 will provide extra detail with its extra 6 Megapixels. Greater resolution will enable you to crop pics more aggressively. The more modern FZ1000 will have an advantage with regard to sensor technology.

Panasonic FZ1000 vs Panasonic SZ5 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FZ1000 vs Panasonic SZ5 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FZ1000 vs Panasonic SZ5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FZ1000 Portrait photography factors
Panasonic SZ5 Portrait photography factors
70
has manual focus
good MP (20 megapixels)
sensor size is good (1")
offers face detect focusing
exports RAW formats
34
decent MP (14 megapixels)
provides face detect focus
manual focus not available
manual mode not possible
cannot use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FZ1000 Street photography details
Panasonic SZ5 Street photography details
70
screen articulates fully
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor size is good (1")
exports RAW formats
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (136g)
screen is fixed
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FZ1000 Sports photography factors
Panasonic SZ5 Sports photography factors
67
incredible zoom range (25-400mm 16.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (20 megapixels)
sensor size is good (1")
offers tracking focus
has no phase detect AF
40
image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (14MP)
provides tracking focus
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FZ1000 Travel photography highlights
Panasonic SZ5 Travel photography highlights
65
good MP (20 megapixels)
flash built-in
screen is selfie friendly
relatively wide (25mm)
great reach (400mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
70
lighter than average in class (136 grams)
decent MP (14MP)
built-in flash
really wide (25mm)
great reach (250mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FZ1000 Landscape photography info
Panasonic SZ5 Landscape photography info
64
has manual focus
relatively wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (20 megapixels)
sensor size is good (1")
exports RAW formats
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
42
really wide (25mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (14MP)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
manual mode not possible
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic FZ1000
Vlogging with Panasonic SZ5
66
relatively wide (25mm)
screen is selfie friendly
image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detect focusing
high video quality (3840 x 2160 pxls)
comes with mic port
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
32
really wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect focus
lighter than average in class (136g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have mic jack
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Panasonic FZ1000 vs Panasonic SZ5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FZ1000 and Panasonic SZ5
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ1000Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5
General Information
Brand Panasonic Panasonic
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ1000 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5
Category Large Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2014-06-12 2012-07-18
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Venus Engine -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 13.2 x 8.8mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 116.2mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 5472 x 3648 4320 x 3240
Highest native ISO 12800 1600
Highest boosted ISO 25600 6400
Minimum native ISO 125 100
RAW files
Minimum boosted ISO 80 -
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 49 23
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-400mm (16.0x) 25-250mm (10.0x)
Maximum aperture f/2.8-4.0 f/3.1-5.9
Macro focusing range 3cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 2.7 5.9
Screen
Range of screen Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 921k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen technology - TFT Screen LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 2,359k dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.7x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 secs 8 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shooting speed 12.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 13.50 m (at Auto ISO) 5.60 m
Flash options Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced On/Red-eye Reduction, Slow Sync, Slow Sync/Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 3840x2160 (30p), 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 30p, 24p) 1280x720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p) 1280 x 720p ( 30,25 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25 fps)
Highest video resolution 3840x2160 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, AVCHD MPEG-4
Mic input
Headphone input
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
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 831 grams (1.83 pounds) 136 grams (0.30 pounds)
Physical dimensions 137 x 99 x 131mm (5.4" x 3.9" x 5.2") 104 x 58 x 21mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 0.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 64 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 22.1 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.7 not tested
DXO Low light rating 517 not tested
Other
Battery life 360 images 250 images
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID DMW-BLC12PP -
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 secs)
Time lapse recording
Storage media - SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Launch cost $800 $195