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Panasonic LS5 vs Sony W230

Portability
94
Imaging
37
Features
25
Overall
32
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LS5 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230 front
Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
25
Overall
31

Panasonic LS5 vs Sony W230 Key Specs

Panasonic LS5
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-130mm (F2.8-6.5) lens
  • 126g - 97 x 62 x 27mm
  • Revealed July 2011
Sony W230
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 30-120mm (F2.8-5.8) lens
  • 156g - 95 x 57 x 22mm
  • Revealed February 2009
Photography Glossary

Panasonic LS5 vs Sony W230 Overview

On this page, we are evaluating the Panasonic LS5 and Sony W230, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by rivals Panasonic and Sony. The image resolution of the LS5 (14MP) and the W230 (12MP) is very well matched and both cameras posses the same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The LS5 was unveiled 2 years after the W230 which is quite a serious gap as far as tech is concerned. Each of the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before delving straight to a complete comparison, here is a concise introduction of how the LS5 matches up vs the W230 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic LS5 over the Sony W230

 LS5 W230 
RevealedJuly 2011February 2009More modern by 30 months

Reasons to pick Sony W230 over the Panasonic LS5

 W230 LS5 
Manually focus Very exact focus
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")

Common features in the Panasonic LS5 and Sony W230

 LS5 W230 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kThe same display resolution
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch friendly display Lacking Touch friendly display

Panasonic LS5 vs Sony W230 Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to carry around your camera frequently, you'll need to think about its weight and size. The Panasonic LS5 has outer measurements of 97mm x 62mm x 27mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.1") and a weight of 126 grams (0.28 lbs) and the Sony W230 has specifications of 95mm x 57mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 156 grams (0.34 lbs).

Analyze the Panasonic LS5 and Sony W230 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are using during that time. Underneath is a front view dimensions comparison of the LS5 versus the W230.

Panasonic LS5 vs Sony W230 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the LS5 and W230 is 94 and 95 respectively.

Panasonic LS5 vs Sony W230 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic LS5 vs Sony W230 Sensor Comparison

Usually, its hard to visualize the difference between sensor sizes just by reading through specs. The image below may offer you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the LS5 and W230.

All in all, both of these cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but different resolution. You should expect to see the Panasonic LS5 to give you extra detail having an extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also make it easier to crop photos more aggressively. The newer LS5 should have an edge in sensor tech.

Panasonic LS5 vs Sony W230 sensor size comparison

Panasonic LS5 vs Sony W230 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic LS5 vs Sony W230 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic LS5 Portrait photography details
Sony W230 Portrait photography details
33
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
comes with face detection focusing
focusing manually not possible
no manual control
can't use external flash
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
27
manual focus
lack of manual mode
external flash not possible
MP count low (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Street Comparison

Panasonic LS5 Street photography highlights
Sony W230 Street photography highlights
62
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (126g)
screen is fixed
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
57
image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic LS5 Sports photography features
Sony W230 Sports photography features
32
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
not so great battery (160 CIPA)
doesn't have phase detect AF
25
image stabilization (Optical)
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority
MP count low (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic LS5 Travel photography advice
Sony W230 Travel photography advice
65
lighter than competition (126 grams)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (26mm)
lack of Timelapse function
not so great battery (160 per charge)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
51
flash built-in
doesn't have Timelapse mode
MP count low (12 megapixels)
does not have selfie friendly screen
wide angle not the best (30mm)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic LS5
Landscape photography with Sony W230
36
reasonably wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
small screen (2.7")
no manual control
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
not so great battery (160 shots)
lack of Timelapse function
37
manual focus
screen is a decent size (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (30mm)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
lack of manual mode
MP count low (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
doesn't have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic LS5 Vlogging features
Sony W230 Vlogging features
32
reasonably wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detection focusing
lighter than competition (126 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of external microphone support
25
image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not the best (30mm)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
does not have selfie friendly screen
low quality video (640 x 480 resolution)
doesn't have external microphone jack
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Panasonic LS5 vs Sony W230 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic LS5 and Sony W230
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-LS5Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Sony
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-LS5 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2011-07-21 2009-02-17
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4320 x 3240 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 6400 3200
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 26-130mm (5.0x) 30-120mm (4.0x)
Maximum aperture f/2.8-6.5 f/2.8-5.8
Macro focusing range - 4cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.7 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen tech TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 8 secs 1 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shutter speed 1.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 4.60 m 3.90 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 640x480
Video format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone input
Headphone input
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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 126 gr (0.28 lbs) 156 gr (0.34 lbs)
Physical dimensions 97 x 62 x 27mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.1") 95 x 57 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 160 images -
Style of battery AA -
Battery ID 2 x AA -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots One One
Launch pricing $294 $180