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Panasonic FZ47 vs Panasonic SZ5

Portability
68
Imaging
35
Features
45
Overall
39
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ47 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5 front
Portability
95
Imaging
38
Features
34
Overall
36

Panasonic FZ47 vs Panasonic SZ5 Key Specs

Panasonic FZ47
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Bump to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-600mm (F2.8-5.2) lens
  • 498g - 120 x 80 x 92mm
  • Launched July 2011
  • Also referred to as Lumix DMC-FZ48
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
  • Released July 2012
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Panasonic FZ47 vs Panasonic SZ5 Overview

Let's look a little more in depth at the Panasonic FZ47 versus Panasonic SZ5, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Small Sensor Compact and both of them are created by Panasonic. The image resolution of the FZ47 (12MP) and the SZ5 (14MP) is very close and they possess the exact same sensor size (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The FZ47 was manufactured 12 months before the SZ5 which means that they are both of a similar generation. Both cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic FZ47 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Panasonic SZ5 being a Compact camera.

Before diving in to a detailed comparison, below is a short summation of how the FZ47 grades versus the SZ5 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FZ47 over the Panasonic SZ5

 FZ47 SZ5 
Focus manually More precise focusing
Display resolution460k230kClearer display (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ5 over the Panasonic FZ47

 SZ5 FZ47 
ReleasedJuly 2012July 2011More recent by 12 months

Common features in the Panasonic FZ47 and Panasonic SZ5

 FZ47 SZ5 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimension3"3"Identical display size
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch display No Touch display

Panasonic FZ47 vs Panasonic SZ5 Physical Comparison

When you are looking to lug around your camera regularly, you will need to think about its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic FZ47 has got external measurements of 120mm x 80mm x 92mm (4.7" x 3.1" x 3.6") accompanied by a weight of 498 grams (1.10 lbs) while the Panasonic SZ5 has dimensions of 104mm x 58mm x 21mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 0.8") and a weight of 136 grams (0.30 lbs).

Analyze the Panasonic FZ47 versus Panasonic SZ5 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you use at that time. Following is the front view physical size comparison of the FZ47 and the SZ5.

Panasonic FZ47 vs Panasonic SZ5 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the FZ47 and SZ5 is 68 and 95 respectively.

Panasonic FZ47 vs Panasonic SZ5 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FZ47 vs Panasonic SZ5 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it can be hard to imagine the difference in sensor measurements only by viewing technical specs. The visual here will offer you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the FZ47 and SZ5.

As you have seen, both the cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements but different resolution. You should expect to see the Panasonic SZ5 to render extra detail due to its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also help you crop images somewhat more aggressively. The older FZ47 will be disadvantaged in sensor tech.

Panasonic FZ47 vs Panasonic SZ5 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FZ47 vs Panasonic SZ5 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FZ47 vs Panasonic SZ5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FZ47 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic SZ5 as a Portrait photography camera
38
focusing manually
above average flash sync speed (1/2,000s)
provides face detection focusing
can't use external flash
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
34
good megapixels (14MP)
includes face detection focusing
focusing manually not possible
lack of manual exposure
external flash not possible
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic FZ47
Street photography with Panasonic SZ5
43
image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
more heavy than competitors in class (498g)
63
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (136 grams)
fixed screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FZ47 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic SZ5 as a Sports photography camera
42
excellent zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
provides tracking autofocus
better than average battery pack (400 per charge)
low frames per second (4.0 frames/s)
megapixel count low (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
40
has image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (14MP)
includes tracking autofocus
max frames per second low (2.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FZ47 Travel photography features
Panasonic SZ5 Travel photography features
51
better than average battery pack (400 per charge)
flash built-in
pretty wide (25mm)
great reach (600mm)
lack of Timelapse recording
more heavy than competitors in class (498 grams)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f2.8)
70
lighter than average (136 grams)
good megapixels (14MP)
built-in flash
decently wide (25mm)
great zoom (250mm)
no Timelapse function
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FZ47 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic SZ5 as a Landscape photography camera
43
focusing manually
pretty wide (25mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
better than average battery pack (400 CIPA)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
lack of Timelapse recording
42
decently wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
lack of manual exposure
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
no Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FZ47 Vlogging features
Panasonic SZ5 Vlogging features
27
pretty wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detection focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
lack of external microphone socket
more heavy than competitors in class (498g)
32
decently wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detection focusing
lighter than average (136g)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
no external microphone jack
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Panasonic FZ47 vs Panasonic SZ5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FZ47 and Panasonic SZ5
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ47Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5
General Information
Make Panasonic Panasonic
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ47 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5
Otherwise known as Lumix DMC-FZ48 -
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2011-07-21 2012-07-18
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Venus Engine FHD -
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 12 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
Full resolution 4000 x 3000 4320 x 3240
Max native ISO 1600 1600
Max boosted ISO 6400 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 23 23
Lens
Lens mounting type 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 distance 1cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.9
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 460 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display tech - TFT Screen LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 secs 8 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shooting speed 4.0 frames per sec 2.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated 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
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/2000 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (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 AVCHD MPEG-4
Microphone input
Headphone input
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
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 498 grams (1.10 pounds) 136 grams (0.30 pounds)
Dimensions 120 x 80 x 92mm (4.7" x 3.1" x 3.6") 104 x 58 x 21mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 0.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 400 pictures 250 pictures
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 pictures)) Yes (2 or 10 secs)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots One One
Price at launch $379 $195