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Panasonic SZ5 vs Sony S950

Portability
95
Imaging
38
Features
34
Overall
36
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S950 front
Portability
94
Imaging
33
Features
17
Overall
26

Panasonic SZ5 vs Sony S950 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 S950
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • 33-132mm (F3.3-5.2) lens
  • 167g - 93 x 56 x 24mm
  • Revealed February 2009
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Panasonic SZ5 vs Sony S950 Overview

Here, we are looking at the Panasonic SZ5 vs Sony S950, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by manufacturers Panasonic and Sony. There exists a significant gap between the resolutions of the SZ5 (14MP) and S950 (10MP) but both cameras offer the identical sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The SZ5 was manufactured 3 years later than the S950 and that is quite a sizable gap as far as technology is concerned. Each of these cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before diving into a full comparison, here is a concise summary of how the SZ5 grades vs the S950 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ5 over the Sony S950

 SZ5 S950 
RevealedJuly 2012February 2009Fresher by 42 months
Display size3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")

Reasons to pick Sony S950 over the Panasonic SZ5

 S950 SZ5 
Manual focus More exact focusing

Common features in the Panasonic SZ5 and Sony S950

 SZ5 S950 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kIdentical display resolution
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither offers Touch friendly display

Panasonic SZ5 vs Sony S950 Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to carry your camera, you are going to need to take into account its weight and proportions. The Panasonic SZ5 offers physical dimensions of 104mm x 58mm x 21mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 0.8") and a weight of 136 grams (0.30 lbs) whilst the Sony S950 has measurements of 93mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") having a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Check the Panasonic SZ5 vs Sony S950 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you use at that moment. Underneath is a front view scale comparison of the SZ5 vs the S950.

Panasonic SZ5 vs Sony S950 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SZ5 and S950 is 95 and 94 respectively.

Panasonic SZ5 vs Sony S950 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ5 vs Sony S950 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it can be tough to imagine the difference between sensor sizing only by reading specs. The visual below should offer you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the SZ5 and S950.

As you can plainly see, the two cameras feature the identical sensor size but different resolution. You should expect to see the Panasonic SZ5 to offer you greater detail due to its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop photos way more aggressively. The more recent SZ5 should have an advantage in sensor tech.

Panasonic SZ5 vs Sony S950 sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ5 vs Sony S950 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic SZ5 vs Sony S950 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic SZ5
Portrait photography with Sony S950
34
MP count good (14 megapixels)
includes face detect focusing
manual focus not available
no manual mode
can't use external flash
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
26
has manual focus
no manual exposure
can't use external flash
low megapixels (10MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic SZ5 Street photography highlights
Sony S950 Street photography highlights
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (136g)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
56
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
screen does not articulate
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic SZ5
Sports photography with Sony S950
40
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (14MP)
includes tracking focus
max fps very slow (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
24
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
low megapixels (10MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic SZ5 Travel photography advice
Sony S950 Travel photography advice
70
lighter than others (136g)
MP count good (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
decently wide (25mm)
great zoom (250mm)
no Timelapse mode
does not have selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
50
flash built-in
does not have Timelapse mode
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
wide angle not great (33mm)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic SZ5 Landscape photography highlights
Sony S950 Landscape photography highlights
42
decently wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
no manual mode
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
no Timelapse mode
31
has manual focus
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (33mm)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen is small (2.7 inch)
no manual exposure
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
does not have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic SZ5
Vlogging with Sony S950
32
decently wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detect focusing
lighter than others (136g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
does not have selfie friendly display
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
no microphone port
9
can't record video
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Panasonic SZ5 vs Sony S950 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ5 and Sony S950
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S950
General Information
Brand Panasonic Sony
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S950
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2012-07-18 2009-02-17
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
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 megapixel 10 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4320 x 3240 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 1600 3200
Highest enhanced ISO 6400 -
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 23 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-250mm (10.0x) 33-132mm (4.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.1-5.9 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focus distance 5cm 10cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3" 2.7"
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen tech TFT Screen LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 8s 2s
Fastest shutter speed 1/1600s 1/1600s
Continuous shutter rate 2.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 5.60 m 3.50 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure 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) -
Highest video resolution 1280x720 None
Video format MPEG-4 Motion JPEG
Microphone 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 lb) 167g (0.37 lb)
Physical dimensions 104 x 58 x 21mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 0.8") 93 x 56 x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
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 pictures -
Battery type Battery Pack -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Card slots One One
Pricing at release $195 $130