Panasonic SZ5 vs Sony QX1

In this article, we will be contrasting the Panasonic SZ5 vs Sony QX1, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Lens-style by brands Panasonic and Sony. There is a considerable difference among the sensor resolutions of the SZ5 (14MP) and QX1 (20MP) and the SZ5 (1/2.3") and QX1 (APS-C) possess different sensor dimensions.

Photography Glossary

The SZ5 was unveiled 3 years before the QX1 and that is a fairly large difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of these cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic SZ5 being a Compact camera and the Sony QX1 being a Lens-style camera.

Before going through a complete comparison, below is a concise summation of how the SZ5 matches up against the QX1 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

This is a preview of the gallery photos for Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5 & Sony Alpha QX1. The full galleries are available at Panasonic SZ5 Gallery & Sony QX1 Gallery.

For anybody who is intending to lug around your camera often, you will need to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic SZ5 provides outer dimensions of 104mm x 58mm x 21mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 0.8") and a weight of 136 grams (0.30 lbs) and the Sony QX1 has dimensions of 74mm x 70mm x 53mm (2.9" x 2.8" x 2.1") accompanied by a weight of 216 grams (0.48 lbs).

Look at the Panasonic SZ5 vs Sony QX1 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are utilizing at the time. Underneath is the front view overall size comparison of the SZ5 against the QX1.

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the SZ5 and QX1 is 95 and 90 respectively.

Often, it's tough to imagine the contrast in sensor measurements simply by seeing specs. The graphic here may give you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the SZ5 and QX1.

As you can plainly see, both the cameras enjoy different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The SZ5 having a smaller sensor is going to make getting shallower depth of field more difficult and the Sony QX1 will show more detail having an extra 6MP. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop photographs far more aggressively. The older SZ5 will be disadvantaged in sensor technology.