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Panasonic LX5 vs Panasonic SZ1

Portability
88
Imaging
35
Features
44
Overall
38
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1 front
Portability
95
Imaging
39
Features
34
Overall
37

Panasonic LX5 vs Panasonic SZ1 Key Specs

Panasonic LX5
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/1.63" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-90mm (F2.0-3.3) lens
  • 271g - 110 x 65 x 43mm
  • Released December 2011
  • Old Model is Panasonic LX3
  • Later Model is Panasonic LX7
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 LX5 vs Panasonic SZ1 Overview

Following is a comprehensive assessment of the Panasonic LX5 versus Panasonic SZ1, both Small Sensor Compact cameras and both of them are sold by Panasonic. There is a sizable difference among the sensor resolutions of the LX5 (10MP) and SZ1 (16MP) and the LX5 (1/1.63") and SZ1 (1/2.3") use different sensor dimensions.

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The LX5 was brought out within a month of the SZ1 and they are of a similar age. Each of the cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before diving in to a step-by-step comparison, below is a simple introduction of how the LX5 grades versus the SZ1 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic LX5 over the Panasonic SZ1

 LX5 SZ1 
Manual focus More precise focusing
Display resolution460k230kClearer display (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ1 over the Panasonic LX5

 SZ1 LX5 

Common features in the Panasonic LX5 and Panasonic SZ1

 LX5 SZ1 
LaunchedDecember 2011January 2012Same age
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimension3"3"Identical display sizing
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly display Missing Touch friendly display

Panasonic LX5 vs Panasonic SZ1 Physical Comparison

For those who are planning to carry around your camera regularly, you need to consider its weight and proportions. The Panasonic LX5 offers exterior dimensions of 110mm x 65mm x 43mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.7") having a weight of 271 grams (0.60 lbs) and the Panasonic SZ1 has measurements of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") accompanied by a weight of 131 grams (0.29 lbs).

Take a look at the Panasonic LX5 versus Panasonic SZ1 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you select during that time. Underneath is the front view dimensions comparison of the LX5 compared to the SZ1.

Panasonic LX5 vs Panasonic SZ1 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the LX5 and SZ1 is 88 and 95 respectively.

Panasonic LX5 vs Panasonic SZ1 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic LX5 vs Panasonic SZ1 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it's tough to imagine the difference in sensor sizes just by researching a spec sheet. The picture underneath will offer you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the LX5 and SZ1.

Clearly, both the cameras posses different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The LX5 featuring a larger sensor is going to make shooting shallow DOF less difficult and the Panasonic SZ1 will provide you with more detail having its extra 6 Megapixels. Greater resolution will make it easier to crop photos somewhat more aggressively.

Panasonic LX5 vs Panasonic SZ1 sensor size comparison

Panasonic LX5 vs Panasonic SZ1 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic LX5 vs Panasonic SZ1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic LX5 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic SZ1 as a Portrait photography camera
41
focusing manually
supports RAW formats
sensor resolution low (10MP)
very small sensor size (1/1.63")
34
MP count good (16 megapixels)
comes with face detection autofocus
focusing manually not possible
no manual mode
cannot use external flash
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic LX5
Street photography with Panasonic SZ1
59
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW formats
no articulating screen
very small sensor size (1/1.63")
heavier than competition (271 grams)
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (131g)
no moving screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic LX5 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic SZ1 as a Sports photography camera
27
has image stabilization (Optical)
slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
sensor resolution low (10MP)
very small sensor size (1/1.63")
no phase detect auto focus
40
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16MP)
comes with tracking autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic LX5
Travel photography with Panasonic SZ1
59
built-in flash
quite wide (24mm)
good maximum aperture (f2.0)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
heavier than competition (271g)
sensor resolution low (10MP)
does not feature selfie friendly display
70
lighter than others (131g)
MP count good (16MP)
built-in flash
relatively wide (25mm)
long zoom (250mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic LX5 Landscape photography info
Panasonic SZ1 Landscape photography info
52
focusing manually
quite wide (24mm)
good maximum aperture (f2.0)
good sized screen (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW formats
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sensor resolution low (10MP)
very small sensor size (1/1.63")
doesn't have Time Lapse function
43
relatively wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16MP)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
no manual mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic LX5 Vlogging advice
Panasonic SZ1 Vlogging advice
29
quite wide (24mm)
good maximum aperture (f2.0)
has image stabilization (Optical)
does not feature selfie friendly display
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have mic jack
heavier than competition (271g)
32
relatively wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detection autofocus
lighter than others (131g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
display isn't selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have external mic support
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Panasonic LX5 vs Panasonic SZ1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic LX5 and Panasonic SZ1
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Panasonic
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Released 2011-12-15 2012-01-09
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Venus Engine FHD -
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/1.63" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 8.07 x 5.56mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 44.9mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 10MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 3648 x 2736 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 12800 6400
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 23 23
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-90mm (3.8x) 25-250mm (10.0x)
Maximal aperture f/2.0-3.3 f/3.1-5.9
Macro focus range 1cm 4cm
Crop factor 4.5 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3" 3"
Resolution of display 460 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display technology - TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 seconds 8 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 3.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 7.20 m 5.60 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format AVCHD Lite MPEG-4
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
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 271 grams (0.60 lbs) 131 grams (0.29 lbs)
Dimensions 110 x 65 x 43mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.7") 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 41 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 19.6 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 10.8 not tested
DXO Low light score 132 not tested
Other
Battery life - 250 photos
Battery style - Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots One One
Pricing at launch $294 $179