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Panasonic LX5 vs Sony W650

Portability
88
Imaging
35
Features
44
Overall
38
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W650 front
Portability
96
Imaging
39
Features
32
Overall
36

Panasonic LX5 vs Sony W650 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
  • Revealed December 2011
  • Succeeded the Panasonic LX3
  • Newer Model is Panasonic LX7
Sony W650
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-125mm (F2.6-6.3) lens
  • 124g - 94 x 56 x 19mm
  • Launched January 2012
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Panasonic LX5 vs Sony W650 Overview

Its time to look more in depth at the Panasonic LX5 versus Sony W650, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by competitors Panasonic and Sony. There is a crucial difference among the resolutions of the LX5 (10MP) and W650 (16MP) and the LX5 (1/1.63") and W650 (1/2.3") posses totally different sensor dimensions.

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The LX5 was introduced around the same time to the W650 which means that they are both of a similar generation. Both the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before delving into a complete comparison, here is a concise highlight of how the LX5 matches up vs the W650 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic LX5 over the Sony W650

 LX5 W650 
Manually focus Very exact focus
Display resolution460k230kSharper display (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony W650 over the Panasonic LX5

 W650 LX5 

Common features in the Panasonic LX5 and Sony W650

 LX5 W650 
LaunchedDecember 2011January 2012Same generation
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display size3"3"Same display sizing
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch display Neither comes with Touch display

Panasonic LX5 vs Sony W650 Physical Comparison

When you are going to carry your camera regularly, you'll need to take into account its weight and volume. The Panasonic LX5 comes with exterior dimensions of 110mm x 65mm x 43mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.7") with a weight of 271 grams (0.60 lbs) whilst the Sony W650 has sizing of 94mm x 56mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7") along with a weight of 124 grams (0.27 lbs).

Examine the Panasonic LX5 versus Sony W650 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you select at the time. Here is a front view physical size comparison of the LX5 against the W650.

Panasonic LX5 vs Sony W650 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the LX5 and W650 is 88 and 96 respectively.

Panasonic LX5 vs Sony W650 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic LX5 vs Sony W650 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is very hard to visualise the contrast in sensor sizing purely by viewing specifications. The photograph here might provide you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the LX5 and W650.

Plainly, both of the cameras come with different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The LX5 with its larger sensor will make achieving shallow DOF simpler and the Sony W650 will provide you with greater detail using its extra 6 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also help you crop pics a good deal more aggressively.

Panasonic LX5 vs Sony W650 sensor size comparison

Panasonic LX5 vs Sony W650 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic LX5 vs Sony W650 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic LX5 Portrait photography factors
Sony W650 Portrait photography factors
41
focusing manually
exports RAW files
low megapixels (10MP)
small sensor size (1/1.63")
34
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
supports face detection focusing
focusing manually not possible
manual mode not available
external flash not possible
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Panasonic LX5 Street photography highlights
Sony W650 Street photography highlights
59
has image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW files
fixed screen
small sensor size (1/1.63")
heavier than average in class (271g)
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (124 grams)
no articulating screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic LX5
Sports photography with Sony W650
27
has image stabilization (Optical)
slow fps (3.0 frames per second)
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/1.63")
does not have phase detect auto focus
40
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16MP)
supports tracking autofocus
max fps very slow (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic LX5
Travel photography with Sony W650
59
built-in flash
fairly wide (24mm)
good maximum aperture (f2.0)
missing Time Lapse recording
heavier than average in class (271 grams)
low megapixels (10MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
69
lighter than competition in class (124 grams)
good megapixels (16MP)
built-in flash
decently wide (25mm)
lack of Time Lapse function
does not feature selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.6)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic LX5 Landscape photography details
Sony W650 Landscape photography details
52
focusing manually
fairly wide (24mm)
good maximum aperture (f2.0)
nice screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW files
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
low megapixels (10MP)
small sensor size (1/1.63")
missing Time Lapse recording
43
decently wide (25mm)
good sized screen (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16MP)
focusing manually not possible
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.6)
manual mode not available
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
lack of Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic LX5 as a Vlogging camera
Sony W650 as a Vlogging camera
29
fairly wide (24mm)
good maximum aperture (f2.0)
has image stabilization (Optical)
display isn't selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing external mic jack
heavier than average in class (271g)
33
decently wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detection focusing
lighter than competition in class (124g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.6)
does not feature selfie friendly display
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of external mic jack
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Panasonic LX5 vs Sony W650 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic LX5 and Sony W650
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W650
General Information
Make Panasonic Sony
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W650
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2011-12-15 2012-01-10
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Venus Engine FHD BIONZ
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/1.63" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 8.07 x 5.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 44.9mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 10MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Max resolution 3648 x 2736 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 12800 3200
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 23 -
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-90mm (3.8x) 25-125mm (5.0x)
Highest aperture f/2.0-3.3 f/2.6-6.3
Macro focus range 1cm 5cm
Crop factor 4.5 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 460k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display technology - Clear Photo TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 2 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 3.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 7.20 m 3.70 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance 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)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format AVCHD Lite MPEG-4, H.264
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 271g (0.60 pounds) 124g (0.27 pounds)
Physical dimensions 110 x 65 x 43mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.7") 94 x 56 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 - 220 images
Type of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model - NP-BN
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, microSD/micro SDHC, Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots Single Single
Retail pricing $294 $140