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Panasonic SZ5 vs Sony S930

Portability
95
Imaging
37
Features
34
Overall
35
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S930 front
Portability
94
Imaging
33
Features
17
Overall
26

Panasonic SZ5 vs Sony S930 Key Specs

Panasonic SZ5
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Raise 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
Sony S930
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.4" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 320 x 240 video
  • 38-108mm (F2.9-5.4) lens
  • 167g - 90 x 61 x 26mm
  • Announced January 2009
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Panasonic SZ5 vs Sony S930 Overview

On this page, we are looking at the Panasonic SZ5 versus Sony S930, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by companies Panasonic and Sony. There exists a considerable gap between the sensor resolutions of the SZ5 (14MP) and S930 (10MP) but both cameras boast the same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The SZ5 was revealed 3 years after the S930 which is quite a large difference as far as technology is concerned. Each of these cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before we go right into a complete comparison, here is a simple overview of how the SZ5 scores versus the S930 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ5 over the Sony S930

 SZ5 S930 
AnnouncedJuly 2012January 2009More modern by 43 months
Display dimensions3"2.4"Larger display (+0.6")
Display resolution230k112kCrisper display (+118k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony S930 over the Panasonic SZ5

 S930 SZ5 
Manually focus More accurate focus

Common features in the Panasonic SZ5 and Sony S930

 SZ5 S930 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch friendly display Lack of Touch friendly display

Panasonic SZ5 vs Sony S930 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is intending to carry around your camera, you are going to need to consider its weight and proportions. The Panasonic SZ5 features outside dimensions of 104mm x 58mm x 21mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 0.8") having a weight of 136 grams (0.30 lbs) and the Sony S930 has measurements of 90mm x 61mm x 26mm (3.5" x 2.4" x 1.0") with a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Compare the Panasonic SZ5 versus Sony S930 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you have attached at that time. Underneath is a front view dimensions comparison of the SZ5 versus the S930.

Panasonic SZ5 vs Sony S930 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SZ5 and S930 is 95 and 94 respectively.

Panasonic SZ5 vs Sony S930 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ5 vs Sony S930 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it's difficult to picture the contrast between sensor sizes simply by looking at a spec sheet. The picture underneath may offer you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the SZ5 and S930.

Clearly, both of these cameras have the same sensor dimensions but different MP. You can expect to see the Panasonic SZ5 to resolve extra detail because of its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will allow you to crop photos a bit more aggressively. The more modern SZ5 provides a benefit with regard to sensor innovation.

Panasonic SZ5 vs Sony S930 sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ5 vs Sony S930 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic SZ5 vs Sony S930 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic SZ5 Portrait photography info
Sony S930 Portrait photography info
33
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
supports face detection focusing
manual focus not available
lack of manual exposure
cannot use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
26
manual focus
manual exposure not available
can't use external flash
low resolution sensor (10MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic SZ5 as a Street photography camera
Sony S930 as a Street photography camera
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (136 grams)
fixed screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
56
image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic SZ5 Sports photography highlights
Sony S930 Sports photography highlights
39
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
supports tracking autofocus
slow fps (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
24
image stabilization (Optical)
max frames per second very slow (2.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
low resolution sensor (10 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic SZ5 Travel photography information
Sony S930 Travel photography information
70
lighter than average (136 grams)
MP count decent (14MP)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (25mm)
great zoom (250mm)
missing Timelapse function
does not posses selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
50
flash built-in
missing Time Lapse function
low resolution sensor (10MP)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
wide angle not good (38mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.9)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic SZ5
Landscape photography with Sony S930
42
reasonably wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (14MP)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
lack of manual exposure
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
missing Timelapse function
31
manual focus
image stabilization (Optical)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (38mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.9)
screen is somewhat small (2.4 inches)
manual exposure not available
low resolution sensor (10MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
missing Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic SZ5 as a Vlogging camera
Sony S930 as a Vlogging camera
32
reasonably wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detection focusing
lighter than average (136g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing external microphone socket
25
image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not good (38mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.9)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
low quality video (320 x 240 pixels)
missing mic port
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Panasonic SZ5 vs Sony S930 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ5 and Sony S930
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S930
General Information
Company Panasonic Sony
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S930
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2012-07-18 2009-01-08
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 10 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4320 x 3240 3648 x 2736
Maximum native ISO 1600 3200
Maximum enhanced ISO 6400 -
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 23 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-250mm (10.0x) 38-108mm (2.8x)
Highest aperture f/3.1-5.9 f/2.9-5.4
Macro focus distance 5cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3" 2.4"
Screen resolution 230k dot 112k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology TFT Screen LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 8s 1/8s
Fastest shutter speed 1/1600s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter speed 2.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 5.60 m 3.00 m (Auto ISO)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, Forced Flash, Slow Syncro, No Flash
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance 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) 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 320x240
Video format MPEG-4 Motion JPEG
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) none
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 136 grams (0.30 lb) 167 grams (0.37 lb)
Physical dimensions 104 x 58 x 21mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 0.8") 90 x 61 x 26mm (3.5" x 2.4" x 1.0")
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 images -
Battery form Battery Pack -
Battery model - 2 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo / PRo-HG Duo, Internal
Storage slots One One
Launch cost $195 $219