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Panasonic S3 vs Sony WX5

Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
24
Overall
31
Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX5 front
Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
29
Overall
32

Panasonic S3 vs Sony WX5 Key Specs

Panasonic S3
(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
Sony WX5
(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
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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").

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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.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic S3 over the Sony WX5

 S3 WX5 
RevealedJanuary 2011July 2010Newer by 7 months

Reasons to pick Sony WX5 over the Panasonic S3

 WX5 S3 
Screen dimension2.8"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.1")
Screen resolution461k230kCrisper screen (+231k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic S3 and Sony WX5

 S3 WX5 
Manual focus Lack of manual focus
Screen typeFixed 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Panasonic S3 vs Sony WX5 size comparison

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

Panasonic S3 vs Sony WX5 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Panasonic S3 vs Sony WX5 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic S3 vs Sony WX5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic S3 Portrait photography advice
Sony WX5 Portrait photography advice
28
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
lack of manual mode
external flash not possible
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
21
no manual focus
no manual control
can't use external flash
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic S3
Street photography with Sony WX5
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (117g)
no moving screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
57
has image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic S3 Sports photography details
Sony WX5 Sports photography details
35
image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
max fps very slow (2.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
34
has image stabilization (Optical)
offers tracking autofocus
no shutter priority mode
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic S3 Travel photography factors
Sony WX5 Travel photography factors
68
lighter than average in class (117g)
good megapixels (14MP)
has built in flash
quite wide (28mm)
lack of Timelapse mode
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
58
flash built-in
relatively wide (24mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
megapixel count low (12MP)
does not offer selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.4)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic S3 Landscape photography highlights
Sony WX5 Landscape photography highlights
38
quite wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (14MP)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
lack of manual mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
lack of Timelapse mode
37
relatively wide (24mm)
screen size is good (2.8 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.4)
no manual control
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic S3 as a Vlogging camera
Sony WX5 as a Vlogging camera
31
quite wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (117g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
display isn't selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of external microphone support
32
relatively wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.4)
does not offer selfie friendly display
doesn't have external mic socket
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Panasonic S3 vs Sony WX5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic S3 and Sony WX5
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3Sony 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