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Panasonic SZ5 vs Panasonic XS1

Portability
95
Imaging
38
Features
34
Overall
36
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-XS1 front
Portability
97
Imaging
40
Features
26
Overall
34

Panasonic SZ5 vs Panasonic XS1 Key Specs

Panasonic SZ5
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Bump to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 136g - 104 x 58 x 21mm
  • Revealed July 2012
Panasonic XS1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-120mm (F2.8-6.9) lens
  • 103g - 94 x 54 x 14mm
  • Introduced January 2013
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Panasonic SZ5 vs Panasonic XS1 Overview

Lets look a bit more closely at the Panasonic SZ5 and Panasonic XS1, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras and they are both built by Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the SZ5 (14MP) and the XS1 (16MP) is pretty well matched and both cameras offer the identical sensor size (1/2.3").

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The SZ5 was brought out 5 months before the XS1 which means that they are of a similar age. Both the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before we go into a more detailed comparison, here is a quick summary of how the SZ5 grades against the XS1 for portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ5 over the Panasonic XS1

 SZ5 XS1 
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")

Reasons to pick Panasonic XS1 over the Panasonic SZ5

 XS1 SZ5 

Common features in the Panasonic SZ5 and Panasonic XS1

 SZ5 XS1 
IntroducedJuly 2012January 2013Similar age
Manual focus Lack of manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kIdentical screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Absent Touch friendly screen

Panasonic SZ5 vs Panasonic XS1 Physical Comparison

For those who are looking to carry around your camera, you'll have to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic SZ5 has exterior measurements of 104mm x 58mm x 21mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 0.8") and a weight of 136 grams (0.30 lbs) while the Panasonic XS1 has dimensions of 94mm x 54mm x 14mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.6") with a weight of 103 grams (0.23 lbs).

Check the Panasonic SZ5 and Panasonic XS1 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you choose at that moment. Below is a front view overall size comparison of the SZ5 vs the XS1.

Panasonic SZ5 vs Panasonic XS1 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SZ5 and XS1 is 95 and 97 respectively.

Panasonic SZ5 vs Panasonic XS1 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ5 vs Panasonic XS1 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it's difficult to imagine the difference between sensor sizes purely by reading through a spec sheet. The picture below should give you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the SZ5 and XS1.

Clearly, both of these cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit different megapixels. You can expect the Panasonic XS1 to give you extra detail having its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop pictures way more aggressively.

Panasonic SZ5 vs Panasonic XS1 sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ5 vs Panasonic XS1 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic SZ5 vs Panasonic XS1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic SZ5 Portrait photography details
Panasonic XS1 Portrait photography details
34
good resolution (14MP)
has face detection focusing
focusing manually not possible
no manual control
cannot use external flash
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
30
megapixel count good (16MP)
no manual focus
manual mode not possible
can't use external flash
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Panasonic SZ5 Street photography factors
Panasonic XS1 Street photography factors
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (136g)
no moving screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
64
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (103g)
screen is fixed
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic SZ5 Sports photography highlights
Panasonic XS1 Sports photography highlights
40
image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (14 megapixels)
has tracking autofocus
continuous shooting slow (2.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
41
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16MP)
features tracking autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic SZ5 Travel photography features
Panasonic XS1 Travel photography features
70
lighter than competitors in class (136 grams)
good resolution (14MP)
built-in flash
relatively wide (25mm)
long reach (250mm)
lack of Time Lapse mode
doesn't have selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
69
lighter than others in class (103g)
megapixel count good (16MP)
has built in flash
decently wide (24mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic SZ5 Landscape photography highlights
Panasonic XS1 Landscape photography highlights
42
relatively wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
no manual control
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
lack of Time Lapse mode
39
decently wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16MP)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
small screen (2.7 inch)
manual mode not possible
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic SZ5 Vlogging highlights
Panasonic XS1 Vlogging highlights
32
relatively wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
has face detection focusing
lighter than competitors in class (136 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of external mic jack
31
decently wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (103 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
display isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have external mic socket
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Panasonic SZ5 vs Panasonic XS1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ5 and Panasonic XS1
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5Panasonic Lumix DMC-XS1
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Panasonic
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5 Panasonic Lumix DMC-XS1
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2012-07-18 2013-01-07
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 -
Maximum resolution 4320 x 3240 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 1600 6400
Maximum boosted ISO 6400 -
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 23 -
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-250mm (10.0x) 24-120mm (5.0x)
Max aperture f/3.1-5.9 f/2.8-6.9
Macro focus range 5cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.9
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of display 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display technology TFT Screen LCD TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 8 secs 60 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shooting rate 2.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 5.60 m 4.40 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720p ( 30,25 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4 Motion JPEG
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 136g (0.30 lbs) 103g (0.23 lbs)
Physical dimensions 104 x 58 x 21mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 0.8") 94 x 54 x 14mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.6")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 260 shots
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Cost at launch $195 $130