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Panasonic SZ5 vs Panasonic ZS45

Portability
95
Imaging
38
Features
34
Overall
36
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS45 front
Portability
91
Imaging
40
Features
55
Overall
46

Panasonic SZ5 vs Panasonic ZS45 Key Specs

Panasonic SZ5
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Boost to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 136g - 104 x 58 x 21mm
  • Introduced July 2012
Panasonic ZS45
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-480mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 249g - 108 x 60 x 32mm
  • Launched January 2015
  • Additionally referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ57
  • Replaced the Panasonic ZS40
  • Successor is Panasonic ZS50
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Panasonic SZ5 vs Panasonic ZS45 Overview

In this write-up, we will be matching up the Panasonic SZ5 versus Panasonic ZS45, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom and they are both offered by Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the SZ5 (14MP) and the ZS45 (16MP) is relatively similar and they enjoy the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The SZ5 was brought out 3 years earlier than the ZS45 which is quite a serious difference as far as tech is concerned. Both of the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before delving in to a in depth comparison, below is a brief summation of how the SZ5 matches up against the ZS45 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ5 over the Panasonic ZS45

 SZ5 ZS45 

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS45 over the Panasonic SZ5

 ZS45 SZ5 
LaunchedJanuary 2015July 2012Newer by 30 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution1040k230kSharper screen (+810k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic SZ5 and Panasonic ZS45

 SZ5 ZS45 
Focus manually Lack of manual focus
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen dimensions
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither includes Touch friendly screen

Panasonic SZ5 vs Panasonic ZS45 Physical Comparison

If you're aiming to travel with your camera regularly, you are going to need to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic SZ5 features exterior measurements of 104mm x 58mm x 21mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 0.8") with a weight of 136 grams (0.30 lbs) and the Panasonic ZS45 has dimensions of 108mm x 60mm x 32mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 249 grams (0.55 lbs).

Analyze the Panasonic SZ5 versus Panasonic ZS45 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you select at that time. Here is the front view measurements comparison of the SZ5 and the ZS45.

Panasonic SZ5 vs Panasonic ZS45 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the SZ5 and ZS45 is 95 and 91 respectively.

Panasonic SZ5 vs Panasonic ZS45 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ5 vs Panasonic ZS45 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it's difficult to visualize the contrast between sensor dimensions just by going over a spec sheet. The picture below should offer you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the SZ5 and ZS45.

As you can see, the two cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit different megapixels. You can count on the Panasonic ZS45 to offer more detail having its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop pictures a little more aggressively. The more aged SZ5 is going to be behind in sensor innovation.

Panasonic SZ5 vs Panasonic ZS45 sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ5 vs Panasonic ZS45 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic SZ5 vs Panasonic ZS45 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic SZ5 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic ZS45 as a Portrait photography camera
34
MP count good (14MP)
includes face detection focusing
lack of manual focus
no manual control
cannot use external flash
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
37
MP count good (16MP)
provides face detection focusing
focusing manually not possible
external flash not possible
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Street Comparison

Panasonic SZ5 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic ZS45 as a Street photography camera
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (136g)
no articulating screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
69
screen tilts up and down
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (249g)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic SZ5 Sports photography features
Panasonic ZS45 Sports photography features
40
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (14 megapixels)
includes tracking autofocus
max fps low (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
55
excellent zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
provides tracking autofocus
great battery (350 shots)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic SZ5 Travel photography factors
Panasonic ZS45 Travel photography factors
70
lighter than average (136 grams)
MP count good (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
fairly wide (25mm)
long reach (250mm)
no Time Lapse recording
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
71
great battery (350 shots)
lighter than average in class (249 grams)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
relatively wide (24mm)
great reach (480mm)
does not have Timelapse function
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic SZ5 Landscape photography details
Panasonic ZS45 Landscape photography details
42
fairly wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (14 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
no manual control
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
no Time Lapse recording
47
relatively wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
great battery (350 CIPA)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
does not have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic SZ5
Vlogging with Panasonic ZS45
32
fairly wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detection focusing
lighter than average (136 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
no external mic socket
34
relatively wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detection focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than average in class (249 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
does not have external microphone port
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Panasonic SZ5 vs Panasonic ZS45 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ5 and Panasonic ZS45
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS45
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Panasonic
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS45
Also called - Lumix DMC-TZ57
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2012-07-18 2015-01-06
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CMOS
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 14 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4320 x 3240 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 1600 6400
Highest boosted ISO 6400 -
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 23 21
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-250mm (10.0x) 24-480mm (20.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.1-5.9 f/3.3-6.4
Macro focusing range 5cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.9
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Tilting
Display sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 230k dot 1,040k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display tech TFT Screen LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 8 seconds 4 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 2.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 5.60 m 6.00 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720p ( 30,25 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4 MPEG-4
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 136g (0.30 lb) 249g (0.55 lb)
Dimensions 104 x 58 x 21mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 0.8") 108 x 60 x 32mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 pictures 350 pictures
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Retail pricing $195 $300