Panasonic S3 vs Sony WX5
96 Imaging
37 Features
24 Overall
31


95 Imaging
35 Features
29 Overall
32
Panasonic S3 vs Sony WX5 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
- Announced January 2011
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.8" Fixed Screen
- ISO 125 - 3200
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 24-120mm (F2.4-5.9) lens
- 146g - 92 x 52 x 22mm
- Revealed July 2010

Panasonic S3 vs Sony WX5 Overview
Below, we will be reviewing the Panasonic S3 versus Sony WX5, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by companies Panasonic and Sony. The sensor resolution of the S3 (14MP) and the WX5 (12MP) is relatively close and they use the exact same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

The S3 was manufactured 7 months after the WX5 which means that they are of a similar age. Each of the cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).
Before going straight into a comprehensive comparison, below is a short synopsis of how the S3 matches up against the WX5 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Panasonic S3 vs Sony WX5 Gallery
The following is a preview of the gallery photos for Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 & Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX5. The entire galleries are provided at Panasonic S3 Gallery & Sony WX5 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Panasonic S3 over the Sony WX5
S3 | WX5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | January 2011 | ![]() | July 2010 | Newer by 7 months |
Reasons to pick Sony WX5 over the Panasonic S3
WX5 | S3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen dimension | 2.8" | ![]() | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.1") |
Screen resolution | 461k | ![]() | 230k | Crisper screen (+231k dot) |
Common features in the Panasonic S3 and Sony WX5
S3 | WX5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | Lack of manual focus | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither features selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Neither features Touch friendly screen |
Panasonic S3 vs Sony WX5 Physical Comparison
For anyone who is aiming to travel with your camera, you should take into account its weight and size. The Panasonic S3 enjoys outer dimensions of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") and a weight of 117 grams (0.26 lbs) whilst the Sony WX5 has specifications of 92mm x 52mm x 22mm (3.6" x 2.0" x 0.9") having a weight of 146 grams (0.32 lbs).
Contrast the Panasonic S3 versus Sony WX5 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember that, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you use at that moment. Below is the front view dimensions comparison of the S3 against the WX5.

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the S3 and WX5 is 96 and 95 respectively.

Panasonic S3 vs Sony WX5 Sensor Comparison
Typically, it is tough to envision the gap in sensor dimensions purely by researching specs. The pic here might give you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the S3 and WX5.
All in all, both of those cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements albeit not the same MP. You can count on the Panasonic S3 to provide you with extra detail due to its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will allow you to crop shots much more aggressively. The younger S3 will have an advantage with regard to sensor technology.

Panasonic S3 vs Sony WX5 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic S3 vs Sony WX5 Specifications
Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX5 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Panasonic | Sony |
Model type | Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX5 |
Type | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Compact |
Announced | 2011-01-05 | 2010-07-08 |
Physical type | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | Venus Engine IV | Bionz |
Sensor type | CCD | BSI-CMOS |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor dimensions | 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, 3:2 and 16:9 | 4:3 and 16:9 |
Highest Possible resolution | 4320 x 3240 | 4000 x 3000 |
Maximum native ISO | 6400 | 3200 |
Lowest native ISO | 100 | 125 |
RAW support | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Touch to focus | ||
Continuous AF | ||
AF single | ||
AF tracking | ||
Selective AF | ||
AF center weighted | ||
AF multi area | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detect AF | ||
Contract detect AF | ||
Phase detect AF | ||
Total focus points | 11 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 28-112mm (4.0x) | 24-120mm (5.0x) |
Largest aperture | f/3.1-5.6 | f/2.4-5.9 |
Macro focusing range | 5cm | 5cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.9 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Type of display | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display diagonal | 2.7" | 2.8" |
Resolution of display | 230 thousand dots | 461 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch capability | ||
Display technology | TFT LCD | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 8 secs | 2 secs |
Max shutter speed | 1/1600 secs | 1/1600 secs |
Continuous shutter rate | 2.0 frames per sec | 10.0 frames per sec |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Set WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | 3.30 m | 5.10 m |
Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync |
External flash | ||
AE bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (30fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) | 1920 x 1080 (50 fps), 1440 x 1080 (50, 25fps), 1280 x 720 (25 fps), 640 x 480 (25 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | 1280x720 | 1920x1080 |
Video format | MPEG-4 | AVCHD |
Mic port | ||
Headphone port | ||
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 | ||
Environmental sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 117 gr (0.26 pounds) | 146 gr (0.32 pounds) |
Dimensions | 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") | 92 x 52 x 22mm (3.6" x 2.0" 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 | 250 photos | - |
Form of battery | Battery Pack | - |
Battery ID | - | NP-BN1 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Storage type | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal | SD/ SDHC/ SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo, Internal |
Card slots | 1 | 1 |
Retail pricing | $110 | $250 |