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Panasonic SZ1 vs Panasonic ZS5

Portability
95
Imaging
39
Features
34
Overall
37
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5 front
Portability
92
Imaging
35
Features
30
Overall
33

Panasonic SZ1 vs Panasonic ZS5 Key Specs

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
Panasonic ZS5
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-300mm (F3.3-4.9) lens
  • 214g - 103 x 60 x 32mm
  • Announced June 2010
  • Additionally referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ8
Photography Glossary

Panasonic SZ1 vs Panasonic ZS5 Overview

In this article, we are evaluating the Panasonic SZ1 vs Panasonic ZS5, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom and they are both manufactured by Panasonic. There is a sizeable difference among the image resolutions of the SZ1 (16MP) and ZS5 (12MP) but they use the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The SZ1 was unveiled 20 months after the ZS5 making the cameras a generation away from each other. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before delving through a thorough comparison, below is a concise view of how the SZ1 scores vs the ZS5 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ1 over the Panasonic ZS5

 SZ1 ZS5 
AnnouncedJanuary 2012June 2010More modern by 20 months
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS5 over the Panasonic SZ1

 ZS5 SZ1 

Common features in the Panasonic SZ1 and Panasonic ZS5

 SZ1 ZS5 
Manual focus Lack of manual focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kEqual display resolution
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch friendly display Absent Touch friendly display

Panasonic SZ1 vs Panasonic ZS5 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is intending to carry around your camera frequently, you'll need to consider its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic SZ1 has exterior measurements of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") and a weight of 131 grams (0.29 lbs) and the Panasonic ZS5 has dimensions of 103mm x 60mm x 32mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") with a weight of 214 grams (0.47 lbs).

Look at the Panasonic SZ1 vs Panasonic ZS5 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you select at the time. Underneath is the front view scale comparison of the SZ1 against the ZS5.

Panasonic SZ1 vs Panasonic ZS5 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the SZ1 and ZS5 is 95 and 92 respectively.

Panasonic SZ1 vs Panasonic ZS5 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ1 vs Panasonic ZS5 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, its tough to see the contrast in sensor sizes merely by looking through specs. The picture below might give you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the SZ1 and ZS5.

All in all, both of those cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but not the same MP. You should expect to see the Panasonic SZ1 to result in extra detail having an extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also let you crop pics far more aggressively. The newer SZ1 will have a benefit with regard to sensor innovation.

Panasonic SZ1 vs Panasonic ZS5 sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ1 vs Panasonic ZS5 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic SZ1 vs Panasonic ZS5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 Portrait photography details
Panasonic ZS5 Portrait photography details
34
decent MP (16 megapixels)
features face detection focusing
manual focus not available
lack of manual mode
no external flash support
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
27
provides face detection autofocus
lack of manual focus
cannot use external flash
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic ZS5 as a Street photography camera
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (131g)
no articulating screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
61
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (214g)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic SZ1
Sports photography with Panasonic ZS5
40
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16MP)
features tracking autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
31
image stabilization (Optical)
provides tracking autofocus
low maximum shutter speed (1/1,300s)
continuous shooting slow (2.0 frames per second)
low MP (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic SZ1
Travel photography with Panasonic ZS5
70
lighter than average (131 grams)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (25mm)
very long zoom (250mm)
lack of Time Lapse function
does not posses selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
63
lighter than competition (214g)
built-in flash
quite wide (25mm)
very long zoom (300mm)
does not have Timelapse mode
low MP (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 Landscape photography details
Panasonic ZS5 Landscape photography details
43
reasonably wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16MP)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
lack of manual mode
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
lack of Time Lapse function
33
quite wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
small screen (2.7 inches)
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
does not have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 Vlogging factors
Panasonic ZS5 Vlogging factors
32
reasonably wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
features face detection focusing
lighter than average (131g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of external mic socket
31
quite wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detection autofocus
lighter than competition (214g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
display isn't selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have external microphone jack
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Panasonic SZ1 vs Panasonic ZS5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ1 and Panasonic ZS5
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5
General Information
Brand Panasonic Panasonic
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5
Also Known as - Lumix DMC-TZ8
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2012-01-09 2010-06-16
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip - Venus Engine HD II
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 23 11
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-250mm (10.0x) 25-300mm (12.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.1-5.9 f/3.3-4.9
Macro focus distance 4cm 3cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3" 2.7"
Display resolution 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display tech TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 8 secs 60 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/1300 secs
Continuous shutter speed 1.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 5.60 m 5.30 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4 Motion JPEG
Microphone input
Headphone input
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 seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 131g (0.29 pounds) 214g (0.47 pounds)
Dimensions 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") 103 x 60 x 32mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 250 shots -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Cost at release $179 $300