Panasonic S3 vs Sony HX5
96 Imaging
37 Features
24 Overall
31


92 Imaging
33 Features
30 Overall
31
Panasonic S3 vs Sony HX5 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 6400
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 28-112mm (F3.1-5.6) lens
- 117g - 99 x 59 x 21mm
- Released January 2011
(Full Review)
- 10MP - 1/2.4" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 125 - 3200
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 25-250mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
- 200g - 102 x 58 x 29mm
- Revealed June 2010

Panasonic S3 vs Sony HX5 Overview
Its time to look a little more in depth at the Panasonic S3 versus Sony HX5, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by rivals Panasonic and Sony. There is a crucial difference among the resolutions of the S3 (14MP) and HX5 (10MP) and the S3 (1/2.3") and HX5 (1/2.4") use totally different sensor measurements.

The S3 was released 7 months later than the HX5 so they are both of a similar generation. Both cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).
Before getting in to a full comparison, below is a brief summary of how the S3 scores against the HX5 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Panasonic S3 vs Sony HX5 Gallery
Following is a sample of the gallery pictures for Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX5. The complete galleries are available at Panasonic S3 Gallery and Sony HX5 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Panasonic S3 over the Sony HX5
S3 | HX5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | January 2011 | ![]() | June 2010 | Fresher by 7 months |
Reasons to pick Sony HX5 over the Panasonic S3
HX5 | S3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display sizing | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Larger display (+0.3") |
Common features in the Panasonic S3 and Sony HX5
S3 | HX5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | No manual focusing | ||
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | Exact same display resolution |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lack of selfie screen | ||
Touch display | ![]() | Lack of Touch display |
Panasonic S3 vs Sony HX5 Physical Comparison
For anybody who is intending to carry your camera frequently, you are going to need to consider its weight and volume. The Panasonic S3 comes with physical dimensions of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") accompanied by a weight of 117 grams (0.26 lbs) while the Sony HX5 has sizing of 102mm x 58mm x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 200 grams (0.44 lbs).
Look at the Panasonic S3 versus Sony HX5 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you use at that time. Here is the front view overall size comparison of the S3 vs the HX5.

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the S3 and HX5 is 96 and 92 respectively.

Panasonic S3 vs Sony HX5 Sensor Comparison
Often, its tough to see the contrast in sensor sizing simply by viewing technical specs. The graphic underneath may give you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the S3 and HX5.
As you have seen, both of the cameras offer different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The S3 because of its larger sensor will make getting shallower depth of field simpler and the Panasonic S3 will result in greater detail as a result of its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop pics a little more aggressively. The more recent S3 will have an edge with regard to sensor innovation.

Panasonic S3 vs Sony HX5 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic S3 vs Sony HX5 Specifications
Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX5 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Panasonic | Sony |
Model type | Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX5 |
Category | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Compact |
Released | 2011-01-05 | 2010-06-16 |
Physical type | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | Venus Engine IV | Bionz |
Sensor type | CCD | BSI-CMOS |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.4" |
Sensor dimensions | 6.08 x 4.56mm | 6.104 x 4.578mm |
Sensor surface area | 27.7mm² | 27.9mm² |
Sensor resolution | 14 megapixels | 10 megapixels |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 4:3 and 16:9 |
Max resolution | 4320 x 3240 | 3456 x 2592 |
Max native ISO | 6400 | 3200 |
Lowest native ISO | 100 | 125 |
RAW pictures | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detect autofocus | ||
Contract detect autofocus | ||
Phase detect autofocus | ||
Total focus points | 11 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens support | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 28-112mm (4.0x) | 25-250mm (10.0x) |
Highest aperture | f/3.1-5.6 | f/3.5-5.5 |
Macro focusing range | 5cm | 5cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.9 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display diagonal | 2.7" | 3" |
Display resolution | 230k dots | 230k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch functionality | ||
Display technology | TFT LCD | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 8s | 30s |
Max shutter speed | 1/1600s | 1/1600s |
Continuous shutter rate | 2.0fps | 10.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual mode | ||
Exposure compensation | - | Yes |
Change white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | 3.30 m | 3.80 m |
Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction | Auto, On, Off, Slow syncro |
External flash | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (30fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) | 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (60, 30fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Max video resolution | 1280x720 | 1920x1080 |
Video format | MPEG-4 | AVCHD |
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 | BuiltIn |
Physical | ||
Environmental sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 117g (0.26 pounds) | 200g (0.44 pounds) |
Dimensions | 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") | 102 x 58 x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1") |
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 | 250 images | - |
Type of battery | Battery Pack | - |
Battery ID | - | NP-BG1 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, portrait1/portrait2) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal | Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo/ PRO HG-Duo, optional SD/SDHC, Internal |
Card slots | Single | Single |
Retail cost | $110 | $275 |