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Panasonic G5 vs Panasonic SZ1

Portability
74
Imaging
52
Features
66
Overall
57
Panasonic Lumix DMC-G5 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1 front
Portability
95
Imaging
39
Features
34
Overall
37

Panasonic G5 vs Panasonic SZ1 Key Specs

Panasonic G5
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 160 - 12800
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 396g - 120 x 83 x 71mm
  • Introduced July 2012
  • Old Model is Panasonic G3
  • Newer Model is Panasonic G6
Panasonic SZ1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 131g - 99 x 59 x 21mm
  • Launched January 2012
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Panasonic G5 vs Panasonic SZ1 Overview

Lets look closer at the Panasonic G5 versus Panasonic SZ1, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Small Sensor Compact and both are created by Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the G5 (16MP) and the SZ1 (16MP) is very close but the G5 (Four Thirds) and SZ1 (1/2.3") use totally different sensor measurements.

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The G5 was launched 7 months after the SZ1 so they are of a similar generation. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic G5 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic SZ1 being a Compact camera.

Before going straight into a more detailed comparison, below is a simple synopsis of how the G5 matches up vs the SZ1 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic G5 over the Panasonic SZ1

 G5 SZ1 
LaunchedJuly 2012January 2012More modern by 7 months
Manually focus Dial accurate focusing
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display resolution920k230kCrisper display (+690k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ1 over the Panasonic G5

 SZ1 G5 

Common features in the Panasonic G5 and Panasonic SZ1

 G5 SZ1 
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display measurements

Panasonic G5 vs Panasonic SZ1 Physical Comparison

When you are going to carry around your camera regularly, you are going to need to consider its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic G5 has outer dimensions of 120mm x 83mm x 71mm (4.7" x 3.3" x 2.8") with a weight of 396 grams (0.87 lbs) while the Panasonic SZ1 has dimensions of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") having a weight of 131 grams (0.29 lbs).

See the Panasonic G5 versus Panasonic SZ1 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are employing during that time. The following is the front view size comparison of the G5 vs the SZ1.

Panasonic G5 vs Panasonic SZ1 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the G5 and SZ1 is 74 and 95 respectively.

Panasonic G5 vs Panasonic SZ1 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic G5 vs Panasonic SZ1 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is very tough to visualise the gap in sensor sizes simply by looking through technical specs. The image below will give you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the G5 and SZ1.

As you have seen, both of those cameras enjoy the same exact MP but not the same sensor sizes. The G5 includes the larger sensor which will make obtaining shallow DOF less difficult. The more modern G5 is going to have an edge when it comes to sensor innovation.

Panasonic G5 vs Panasonic SZ1 sensor size comparison

Panasonic G5 vs Panasonic SZ1 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic G5 vs Panasonic SZ1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic G5 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic SZ1 as a Portrait photography camera
71
has manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
includes face detect autofocus
delivers RAW files
34
good resolution (16MP)
provides face detect focusing
focusing manually not possible
no manual control
cannot use external flash
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Panasonic G5 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic SZ1 as a Street photography camera
66
screen articulates fully
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
supports focus via touch
does not have image stabilization
more heavy than competition in class (396g)
63
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (131g)
screen is fixed
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic G5 Sports photography highlights
Panasonic SZ1 Sports photography highlights
51
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
includes tracking focus
low frames per second (6.0 frames per second)
does not have image stabilization
lack of phase detect autofocus
40
has image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
provides tracking focus
max frames per second low (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic G5
Travel photography with Panasonic SZ1
66
supports focus via touch
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
display is selfie friendly
doesn't have Timelapse recording
more heavy than competition in class (396 grams)
70
lighter than others (131 grams)
good resolution (16MP)
flash built-in
fairly wide (25mm)
great zoom (250mm)
missing Time Lapse mode
does not contain selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic G5 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic SZ1 as a Landscape photography camera
65
has manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
decent sized screen (3")
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
does not have image stabilization
doesn't have Timelapse recording
43
fairly wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16MP)
focusing manually not possible
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
no manual control
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
missing Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic G5
Vlogging with Panasonic SZ1
62
display is selfie friendly
touch screen
includes face detect autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does not have image stabilization
doesn't have microphone support
more heavy than competition in class (396 grams)
32
fairly wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect focusing
lighter than others (131g)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
does not contain selfie friendly display
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing mic port
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Panasonic G5 vs Panasonic SZ1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic G5 and Panasonic SZ1
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-G5Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Panasonic
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-G5 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2012-07-17 2012-01-09
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Venus Engine VII FHD -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 16 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 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 12800 6400
Min native ISO 160 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 23 23
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 25-250mm (10.0x)
Maximum aperture - f/3.1-5.9
Macro focus distance - 4cm
Total lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.9
Screen
Range of display Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3" 3"
Display resolution 920k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 1,440k dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.7x -
Features
Min shutter speed 60 secs 8 secs
Max shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shutter speed 6.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 10.50 m 5.60 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync 1/160 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60, 50, 30, 25fps) 1280 x 720 (60, 50, 30, 25fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25fps 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, AVCHD MPEG-4
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None None
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 396g (0.87 lb) 131g (0.29 lb)
Dimensions 120 x 83 x 71mm (4.7" x 3.3" x 2.8") 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 61 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 21.4 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 11.6 not tested
DXO Low light score 618 not tested
Other
Battery life 320 photographs 250 photographs
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 images)) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Retail price $699 $179