Panasonic LX10 vs Panasonic ZS5

The following is a comprehensive assessment of the Panasonic LX10 vs Panasonic ZS5, one is a Large Sensor Compact and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both are offered by Panasonic. There is a significant difference between the sensor resolutions of the LX10 (20MP) and ZS5 (12MP) and the LX10 (1") and ZS5 (1/2.3") boast different sensor size.

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The LX10 was unveiled 6 years after the ZS5 which is quite a sizable gap as far as tech is concerned. Each of these cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic LX10 being a Large Sensor Compact camera and the Panasonic ZS5 being a Compact camera.

Before we go straight to a complete comparison, here is a short view of how the LX10 grades vs the ZS5 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Below is a preview of the gallery images for Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX10 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5. The full galleries are provided at Panasonic LX10 Gallery and Panasonic ZS5 Gallery.

If you are planning to travel with your camera frequently, you're going to have to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic LX10 offers outer dimensions of 106mm x 60mm x 42mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.7") having a weight of 310 grams (0.68 lbs) and the Panasonic ZS5 has dimensions of 103mm x 60mm x 32mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") and a weight of 214 grams (0.47 lbs).

Compare the Panasonic LX10 vs Panasonic ZS5 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are using at that time. Below is a front view dimensions comparison of the LX10 vs the ZS5.

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the LX10 and ZS5 is 88 and 92 respectively.

Generally, it can be hard to picture the difference between sensor dimensions purely by looking at specs. The image below should provide you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the LX10 and ZS5.

All in all, both of the cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The LX10 having a bigger sensor is going to make getting shallow DOF easier and the Panasonic LX10 will resolve more detail having an extra 8MP. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop photographs way more aggressively. The more recent LX10 provides an edge in sensor innovation.