Panasonic SZ5 vs Sony HX7V
95 Imaging
37 Features
34 Overall
35


92 Imaging
38 Features
37 Overall
37
Panasonic SZ5 vs Sony HX7V Key Specs
(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
- Introduced July 2012
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 125 - 3200
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 25-250mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
- 208g - 102 x 58 x 29mm
- Launched July 2011

Panasonic SZ5 vs Sony HX7V Overview
In this article, we will be analyzing the Panasonic SZ5 and Sony HX7V, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by manufacturers Panasonic and Sony. The sensor resolution of the SZ5 (14MP) and the HX7V (16MP) is relatively comparable and they use the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").

The SZ5 was brought out 13 months later than the HX7V which makes the cameras a generation apart from one another. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).
Before delving straight into a thorough comparison, below is a simple overview of how the SZ5 scores against the HX7V when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Panasonic SZ5 vs Sony HX7V Gallery
Following is a preview of the gallery photos for Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5 & Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX7V. The entire galleries are viewable at Panasonic SZ5 Gallery & Sony HX7V Gallery.
Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ5 over the Sony HX7V
SZ5 | HX7V | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | July 2012 | ![]() | July 2011 | Fresher by 13 months |
Reasons to pick Sony HX7V over the Panasonic SZ5
HX7V | SZ5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen resolution | 921k | ![]() | 230k | Sharper screen (+691k dot) |
Common features in the Panasonic SZ5 and Sony HX7V
SZ5 | HX7V | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | No manual focusing | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen sizing | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equivalent screen measurement |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lack of selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Lack of Touch friendly screen |
Panasonic SZ5 vs Sony HX7V Physical Comparison
When you are planning to carry your camera often, you should think about its weight and proportions. The Panasonic SZ5 enjoys outer measurements of 104mm x 58mm x 21mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 0.8") along with a weight of 136 grams (0.30 lbs) while the Sony HX7V has measurements of 102mm x 58mm x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 208 grams (0.46 lbs).
Examine the Panasonic SZ5 and Sony HX7V in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into account, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are utilizing at the time. Here is the front view proportions comparison of the SZ5 and the HX7V.

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SZ5 and HX7V is 95 and 92 respectively.

Panasonic SZ5 vs Sony HX7V Sensor Comparison
Typically, its difficult to imagine the gap in sensor sizing merely by checking out a spec sheet. The photograph here may offer you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the SZ5 and HX7V.
Clearly, both the cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit different resolution. You can count on the Sony HX7V to show greater detail having its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will let you crop photographs a little more aggressively. The more modern SZ5 should have an edge in sensor innovation.

Panasonic SZ5 vs Sony HX7V Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic SZ5 vs Sony HX7V Specifications
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX7V | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Panasonic | Sony |
Model | Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX7V |
Category | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Compact |
Introduced | 2012-07-18 | 2011-07-19 |
Body design | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | - | BIONZ |
Sensor type | CCD | BSI-CMOS |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor measurements | 6.08 x 4.56mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
Sensor area | 27.7mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 14 megapixels | 16 megapixels |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 4:3 and 16:9 |
Highest resolution | 4320 x 3240 | 4608 x 3456 |
Highest native ISO | 1600 | 3200 |
Highest boosted ISO | 6400 | - |
Min native ISO | 100 | 125 |
RAW images | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detect autofocus | ||
Contract detect autofocus | ||
Phase detect autofocus | ||
Number of focus points | 23 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 25-250mm (10.0x) | 25-250mm (10.0x) |
Largest aperture | f/3.1-5.9 | f/3.5-5.5 |
Macro focus range | 5cm | - |
Focal length multiplier | 5.9 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Range of display | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display size | 3 inch | 3 inch |
Resolution of display | 230k dot | 921k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch function | ||
Display tech | TFT Screen LCD | XtraFine LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 8 seconds | 30 seconds |
Highest shutter speed | 1/1600 seconds | 1/1600 seconds |
Continuous shooting speed | 2.0 frames per sec | 10.0 frames per sec |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Set white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash range | 5.60 m | 4.80 m |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync | Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1280 x 720p ( 30,25 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25 fps) | 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Highest video resolution | 1280x720 | 1920x1080 |
Video format | MPEG-4 | MPEG-4, AVCHD |
Microphone jack | ||
Headphone jack | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Built-In | Eye-Fi Connected |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | BuiltIn |
Physical | ||
Environmental seal | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 136 gr (0.30 lb) | 208 gr (0.46 lb) |
Dimensions | 104 x 58 x 21mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 0.8") | 102 x 58 x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1") |
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 photographs | - |
Battery form | Battery Pack | - |
Battery model | - | NP-BG1 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 secs) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Storage media | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal | SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo |
Storage slots | One | One |
Price at launch | $195 | $499 |