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Panasonic GX1 vs Panasonic SZ5

Portability
87
Imaging
52
Features
54
Overall
52
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5 front
Portability
95
Imaging
38
Features
34
Overall
36

Panasonic GX1 vs Panasonic SZ5 Key Specs

Panasonic GX1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 160 - 12800
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 318g - 116 x 68 x 39mm
  • Released February 2012
  • Renewed by Panasonic GX7
Panasonic SZ5
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Push 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 GX1 vs Panasonic SZ5 Overview

Following is a detailed overview of the Panasonic GX1 vs Panasonic SZ5, former is a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact and both are created by Panasonic. The image resolution of the GX1 (16MP) and the SZ5 (14MP) is pretty well matched but the GX1 (Four Thirds) and SZ5 (1/2.3") possess different sensor sizes.

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The GX1 was manufactured 5 months prior to the SZ5 which means that they are of a similar age. Both of these cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic GX1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic SZ5 being a Compact camera.

Before diving through a complete comparison, below is a short introduction of how the GX1 grades versus the SZ5 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic GX1 over the Panasonic SZ5

 GX1 SZ5 
Focus manually Very precise focusing
Screen resolution460k230kSharper screen (+230k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ5 over the Panasonic GX1

 SZ5 GX1 

Common features in the Panasonic GX1 and Panasonic SZ5

 GX1 SZ5 
IntroducedFebruary 2012July 2012Similar age
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen dimensions
Selfie screen No selfie screen

Panasonic GX1 vs Panasonic SZ5 Physical Comparison

For those who are aiming to carry around your camera often, you will have to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic GX1 features outer measurements of 116mm x 68mm x 39mm (4.6" x 2.7" x 1.5") accompanied by a weight of 318 grams (0.70 lbs) whilst the Panasonic SZ5 has dimensions of 104mm x 58mm x 21mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 0.8") with a weight of 136 grams (0.30 lbs).

Compare the Panasonic GX1 vs Panasonic SZ5 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you select at that time. Underneath is the front view sizing comparison of the GX1 and the SZ5.

Panasonic GX1 vs Panasonic SZ5 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the GX1 and SZ5 is 87 and 95 respectively.

Panasonic GX1 vs Panasonic SZ5 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic GX1 vs Panasonic SZ5 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is hard to picture the difference between sensor sizes just by checking specs. The image below might give you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the GX1 and SZ5.

All in all, both of the cameras have got different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The GX1 because of its bigger sensor is going to make getting shallower DOF less difficult and the Panasonic GX1 will give you greater detail due to its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also help you crop shots much more aggressively.

Panasonic GX1 vs Panasonic SZ5 sensor size comparison

Panasonic GX1 vs Panasonic SZ5 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic GX1 vs Panasonic SZ5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic GX1 Portrait photography information
Panasonic SZ5 Portrait photography information
71
focusing manually
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes face detection focus
delivers RAW formats
34
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
features face detection focus
manual focus not available
no manual control
cannot use external flash
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Panasonic GX1 Street photography details
Panasonic SZ5 Street photography details
70
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
supports focus via touch
no moving screen
no image stabilization
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (136 grams)
screen does not articulate
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic GX1
Sports photography with Panasonic SZ5
47
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes tracking autofocus
painfully slow continuous shooting (4.0 fps)
no image stabilization
not so great battery life (300 CIPA)
has no phase detect auto focus
40
image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
features tracking autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic GX1
Travel photography with Panasonic SZ5
65
supports focus via touch
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
does not have Time Lapse recording
not so great battery life (300 CIPA)
screen is not selfie friendly
70
lighter than competition (136 grams)
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
rather wide (25mm)
long reach (250mm)
no Time Lapse recording
does not have a selfie friendly screen
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic GX1
Landscape photography with Panasonic SZ5
62
focusing manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
no image stabilization
not so great battery life (300 per charge)
does not have Time Lapse recording
42
rather wide (25mm)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
no manual control
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
no Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic GX1 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic SZ5 as a Vlogging camera
32
has touchscreen
includes face detection focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
screen is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
does not have external mic support
32
rather wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
features face detection focus
lighter than competition (136g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
no external mic support
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Panasonic GX1 vs Panasonic SZ5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic GX1 and Panasonic SZ5
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5
General Information
Brand Panasonic Panasonic
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Compact
Released 2012-02-14 2012-07-18
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Venus Engine FHD -
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 16 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 Possible resolution 4592 x 3448 4320 x 3240
Maximum native ISO 12800 1600
Maximum enhanced ISO - 6400
Lowest native ISO 160 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 23 23
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 25-250mm (10.0x)
Maximum aperture - f/3.1-5.9
Macro focusing range - 5cm
Amount of lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.9
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 460 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle TFT Screen LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) None
Features
Min shutter speed 60s 8s
Max shutter speed 1/4000s 1/1600s
Continuous shutter rate 4.0 frames per second 2.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 7.60 m 5.60 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/160s -
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), 640 x 480 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30fps) 1280 x 720p ( 30,25 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, AVCHD MPEG-4
Mic support
Headphone support
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 sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 318 grams (0.70 lbs) 136 grams (0.30 lbs)
Dimensions 116 x 68 x 39mm (4.6" x 2.7" x 1.5") 104 x 58 x 21mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 0.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 55 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 20.8 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.6 not tested
DXO Low light rating 703 not tested
Other
Battery life 300 shots 250 shots
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 secs)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots One One
Cost at release $228 $195