Panasonic SZ5 vs Sony S950
95 Imaging
37 Features
34 Overall
35


94 Imaging
33 Features
17 Overall
26
Panasonic SZ5 vs Sony S950 Key Specs
(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
(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

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").

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.

Panasonic SZ5 vs Sony S950 Gallery
Following is a sample of the gallery pics for Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S950. The entire galleries are viewable at Panasonic SZ5 Gallery and Sony S950 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ5 over the Sony S950
SZ5 | S950 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | July 2012 | ![]() | February 2009 | Fresher by 42 months |
Display size | 3" | ![]() | 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 type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | Identical 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.
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.

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

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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic SZ5 vs Sony S950 Specifications
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5 | Sony 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 |