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Panasonic G2 vs Panasonic SZ5

Portability
72
Imaging
47
Features
60
Overall
52
Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5 front
Portability
95
Imaging
38
Features
34
Overall
36

Panasonic G2 vs Panasonic SZ5 Key Specs

Panasonic G2
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 428g - 124 x 84 x 74mm
  • Announced July 2010
  • Replaced the Panasonic G1
  • Replacement is Panasonic G3
Panasonic SZ5
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Raise 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 G2 vs Panasonic SZ5 Overview

On this page, we are evaluating the Panasonic G2 vs Panasonic SZ5, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Small Sensor Compact and both are produced by Panasonic. The image resolution of the G2 (12MP) and the SZ5 (14MP) is very close but the G2 (Four Thirds) and SZ5 (1/2.3") offer totally different sensor dimensions.

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The G2 was released 24 months prior to the SZ5 making them a generation away from each other. Each of these cameras have different body design with the Panasonic G2 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic SZ5 being a Compact camera.

Before delving right into a thorough comparison, here is a quick summary of how the G2 scores against the SZ5 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic G2 over the Panasonic SZ5

 G2 SZ5 
Focus manually More accurate focusing
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display resolution460k230kClearer display (+230k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ5 over the Panasonic G2

 SZ5 G2 
IntroducedJuly 2012July 2010More modern by 24 months

Common features in the Panasonic G2 and Panasonic SZ5

 G2 SZ5 
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display sizing

Panasonic G2 vs Panasonic SZ5 Physical Comparison

When you are planning to carry around your camera frequently, you will have to factor its weight and volume. The Panasonic G2 comes with outside dimensions of 124mm x 84mm x 74mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 2.9") with a weight of 428 grams (0.94 lbs) while 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).

Examine the Panasonic G2 vs Panasonic SZ5 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you choose during that time. Following is a front view measurements comparison of the G2 against the SZ5.

Panasonic G2 vs Panasonic SZ5 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the G2 and SZ5 is 72 and 95 respectively.

Panasonic G2 vs Panasonic SZ5 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic G2 vs Panasonic SZ5 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, its hard to visualise the contrast in sensor sizes merely by viewing specifications. The pic underneath may offer you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the G2 and SZ5.

To sum up, both cameras provide different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The G2 featuring a larger sensor will make achieving bokeh less difficult and the Panasonic SZ5 will result in greater detail as a result of its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop images more aggressively. The more aged G2 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.

Panasonic G2 vs Panasonic SZ5 sensor size comparison

Panasonic G2 vs Panasonic SZ5 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic G2 vs Panasonic SZ5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic G2 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic SZ5 as a Portrait photography camera
60
you can focus manually
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
has face detection focus
exports RAW formats
MP count low (12 megapixels)
34
megapixel count decent (14MP)
includes face detection focusing
lack of manual focus
no manual mode
external flash not possible
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Panasonic G2 Street photography information
Panasonic SZ5 Street photography information
65
fully articulated screen
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
supports touch to focus
lack of image stabilization
more heavy than competitors in class (428 grams)
63
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (136 grams)
screen does not articulate
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic G2 Sports photography advice
Panasonic SZ5 Sports photography advice
40
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
has tracking autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
lack of image stabilization
MP count low (12MP)
lack of phase detect auto focus
40
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
includes tracking autofocus
continuous shooting slow (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic G2 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic SZ5 as a Travel photography camera
58
supports touch to focus
flash built-in
selfie friendly display
does not have Timelapse recording
more heavy than competitors in class (428 grams)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
70
lighter than competition in class (136g)
megapixel count decent (14MP)
flash built-in
really wide (25mm)
great reach (250mm)
no Time Lapse recording
screen is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic G2 Landscape photography highlights
Panasonic SZ5 Landscape photography highlights
57
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
lack of image stabilization
MP count low (12MP)
does not have Timelapse recording
42
really wide (25mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (14MP)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
no manual mode
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
no Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic G2 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic SZ5 as a Vlogging camera
61
selfie friendly display
touchscreen capability
has face detection focus
comes with external microphone jack
lack of image stabilization
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
more heavy than competitors in class (428 grams)
32
really wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detection focusing
lighter than competition in class (136 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
screen is not selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
no external mic socket
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Panasonic G2 vs Panasonic SZ5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic G2 and Panasonic SZ5
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5
General Information
Brand Panasonic Panasonic
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2010-07-12 2012-07-18
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Venus Engine HD II -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti alias 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 6400 1600
Max boosted ISO - 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points - 23
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 25-250mm (10.0x)
Highest aperture - f/3.1-5.9
Macro focusing range - 5cm
Number of lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 460 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen technology TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle TFT Screen LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 1,440 thousand dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.55x -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 secs 8 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shooting rate 3.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 11.00 m 5.60 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/160 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1280 x 720p ( 30,25 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format AVCHD Lite, Motion JPEG MPEG-4
Mic port
Headphone port
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 sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 428 grams (0.94 lb) 136 grams (0.30 lb)
Physical dimensions 124 x 84 x 74mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 2.9") 104 x 58 x 21mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 0.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 53 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 21.2 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.3 not tested
DXO Low light rating 493 not tested
Other
Battery life 360 images 250 images
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 secs)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots One One
Launch pricing $1,000 $195