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Panasonic LS5 vs Panasonic SZ8

Portability
94
Imaging
37
Features
25
Overall
32
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LS5 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 front
Portability
94
Imaging
40
Features
31
Overall
36

Panasonic LS5 vs Panasonic SZ8 Key Specs

Panasonic LS5
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-130mm (F2.8-6.5) lens
  • 126g - 97 x 62 x 27mm
  • Announced July 2011
Panasonic SZ8
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Raise to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-288mm (F3.1-6.3) lens
  • 159g - 100 x 60 x 27mm
  • Revealed January 2014
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Panasonic LS5 vs Panasonic SZ8 Overview

In this write-up, we are matching up the Panasonic LS5 vs Panasonic SZ8, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both of them are sold by Panasonic. The resolution of the LS5 (14MP) and the SZ8 (16MP) is fairly similar and they feature the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The LS5 was brought out 3 years before the SZ8 which is quite a big gap as far as technology is concerned. Both the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before getting in to a step-by-step comparison, below is a simple view of how the LS5 matches up vs the SZ8 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic LS5 over the Panasonic SZ8

 LS5 SZ8 

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ8 over the Panasonic LS5

 SZ8 LS5 
RevealedJanuary 2014July 2011More modern by 30 months
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kSharper display (+230k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic LS5 and Panasonic SZ8

 LS5 SZ8 
Manually focus Lack of manual focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch friendly display Lack of Touch friendly display

Panasonic LS5 vs Panasonic SZ8 Physical Comparison

When you are intending to carry around your camera, you should think about its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic LS5 comes with physical dimensions of 97mm x 62mm x 27mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.1") along with a weight of 126 grams (0.28 lbs) while the Panasonic SZ8 has dimensions of 100mm x 60mm x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs).

Check the Panasonic LS5 vs Panasonic SZ8 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you select at that moment. Here is the front view dimensions comparison of the LS5 versus the SZ8.

Panasonic LS5 vs Panasonic SZ8 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the LS5 and SZ8 is 94 and 94 respectively.

Panasonic LS5 vs Panasonic SZ8 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic LS5 vs Panasonic SZ8 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, its tough to envision the contrast between sensor sizes only by reviewing a spec sheet. The pic below should give you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the LS5 and SZ8.

As you can see, both of those cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but not the same megapixels. You should anticipate the Panasonic SZ8 to offer you more detail having its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also help you crop images far more aggressively. The more aged LS5 is going to be behind with regard to sensor technology.

Panasonic LS5 vs Panasonic SZ8 sensor size comparison

Panasonic LS5 vs Panasonic SZ8 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic LS5 vs Panasonic SZ8 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic LS5 Portrait photography features
Panasonic SZ8 Portrait photography features
33
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
offers face detection focus
manual focus not available
manual exposure not possible
can't use external flash
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
35
good resolution (16 megapixels)
has face detect focus
no manual focus
no manual exposure
no external flash support
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic LS5 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic SZ8 as a Street photography camera
62
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (126 grams)
screen does not articulate
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
63
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (159g)
fixed screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic LS5 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic SZ8 as a Sports photography camera
32
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
max frames per second low (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
low battery power (160 per charge)
does not have phase detect auto focus
34
has image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
bad battery life (200 shots)
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic LS5
Travel photography with Panasonic SZ8
65
lighter than competition (126g)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
rather wide (26mm)
missing Timelapse recording
low battery power (160 shots)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
67
lighter than competition in class (159 grams)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
quite wide (24mm)
great zoom (288mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
bad battery life (200 shots)
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic LS5 Landscape photography highlights
Panasonic SZ8 Landscape photography highlights
36
rather wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
manual exposure not possible
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
low battery power (160 shots)
missing Timelapse recording
42
quite wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
no manual exposure
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
bad battery life (200 per charge)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic LS5 Vlogging advice
Panasonic SZ8 Vlogging advice
32
rather wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection focus
lighter than competition (126g)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing external microphone support
32
quite wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect focus
lighter than competition in class (159g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
display isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have mic socket
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Panasonic LS5 vs Panasonic SZ8 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic LS5 and Panasonic SZ8
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-LS5Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8
General Information
Company Panasonic Panasonic
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-LS5 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2011-07-21 2014-01-06
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Venus Engine
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4320 x 3240 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 6400 1600
Maximum enhanced ISO - 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 26-130mm (5.0x) 24-288mm (12.0x)
Highest aperture f/2.8-6.5 f/3.1-6.3
Crop factor 5.9 5.9
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.7 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 230k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display technology TFT Color LCD TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 8 secs 8 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 1.0 frames per sec 1.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 4.60 m 5.20 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p), 320 x 240 (30p)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
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
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 126g (0.28 lb) 159g (0.35 lb)
Dimensions 97 x 62 x 27mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.1") 100 x 60 x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 160 images 200 images
Battery type AA Battery Pack
Battery model 2 x AA -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Retail price $294 $275