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Panasonic SZ5 vs Sony W230

Portability
95
Imaging
37
Features
34
Overall
35
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230 front
Portability
95
Imaging
34
Features
25
Overall
30

Panasonic SZ5 vs Sony W230 Key Specs

Panasonic SZ5
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Increase 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
Sony W230
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 30-120mm (F2.8-5.8) lens
  • 156g - 95 x 57 x 22mm
  • Launched February 2009
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Panasonic SZ5 vs Sony W230 Overview

Here is a in-depth analysis of the Panasonic SZ5 and Sony W230, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by manufacturers Panasonic and Sony. The image resolution of the SZ5 (14MP) and the W230 (12MP) is relatively comparable and both cameras boast the identical sensor measurements (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The SZ5 was unveiled 3 years later than the W230 and that is a fairly large difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before we go into a in depth comparison, here is a brief summary of how the SZ5 grades against the W230 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ5 over the Sony W230

 SZ5 W230 
LaunchedJuly 2012February 2009Fresher by 42 months

Reasons to pick Sony W230 over the Panasonic SZ5

 W230 SZ5 
Manually focus More precise focus

Common features in the Panasonic SZ5 and Sony W230

 SZ5 W230 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen measurements
Screen resolution230k230kIdentical screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch screen Neither contains Touch screen

Panasonic SZ5 vs Sony W230 Physical Comparison

When you are intending to carry your camera often, you need to think about its weight and measurements. The Panasonic SZ5 has got outer measurements of 104mm x 58mm x 21mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 0.8") having a weight of 136 grams (0.30 lbs) whilst the Sony W230 has proportions of 95mm x 57mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 156 grams (0.34 lbs).

Check out the Panasonic SZ5 and Sony W230 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are employing at that moment. Here is a front view measurements comparison of the SZ5 vs the W230.

Panasonic SZ5 vs Sony W230 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the SZ5 and W230 is 95 and 95 respectively.

Panasonic SZ5 vs Sony W230 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ5 vs Sony W230 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, its hard to see the gap in sensor sizing just by seeing specifications. The photograph below might give you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the SZ5 and W230.

To sum up, both cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit not the same resolution. You can count on the Panasonic SZ5 to show greater detail having an extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will allow you to crop shots way more aggressively. The more modern SZ5 is going to have an advantage with regard to sensor tech.

Panasonic SZ5 vs Sony W230 sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ5 vs Sony W230 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic SZ5 vs Sony W230 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic SZ5 Portrait photography advice
Sony W230 Portrait photography advice
33
good resolution (14 megapixels)
offers face detection autofocus
manual focus not available
no manual control
external flash not possible
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
27
focusing manually
lack of manual exposure
cannot use external flash
low MP (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Street Comparison

Panasonic SZ5 as a Street photography camera
Sony W230 as a Street photography camera
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors (136g)
screen does not articulate
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic SZ5 as a Sports photography camera
Sony W230 as a Sports photography camera
39
image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (14MP)
offers tracking autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
slow frames per second (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
low MP (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic SZ5 Travel photography features
Sony W230 Travel photography features
70
lighter than competitors (136g)
good resolution (14MP)
flash built-in
decently wide (25mm)
great zoom (250mm)
lack of Timelapse function
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
51
flash built-in
does not have Timelapse mode
low MP (12MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
wide angle not the best (30mm)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic SZ5 Landscape photography info
Sony W230 Landscape photography info
42
decently wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (14MP)
manual focus not available
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
no manual control
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
lack of Timelapse function
36
focusing manually
screen size is decent (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (30mm)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
lack of manual exposure
low MP (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
does not have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic SZ5 as a Vlogging camera
Sony W230 as a Vlogging camera
32
decently wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection autofocus
lighter than competitors (136 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
display isn't selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of external microphone socket
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not the best (30mm)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen is not selfie friendly
video res low (640 x 480 pixels)
does not have external microphone jack
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Panasonic SZ5 vs Sony W230 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ5 and Sony W230
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Sony
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2012-07-18 2009-02-17
Body design 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 surface area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4320 x 3240 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 1600 3200
Max enhanced ISO 6400 -
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 23 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-250mm (10.0x) 30-120mm (4.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.1-5.9 f/2.8-5.8
Macro focusing distance 5cm 4cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen tech TFT Screen LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 8 seconds 1 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 2.0 frames per sec 2.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 5.60 m 3.90 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720p ( 30,25 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 640x480
Video data format MPEG-4 Motion JPEG
Microphone input
Headphone input
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 seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 136 gr (0.30 pounds) 156 gr (0.34 pounds)
Physical dimensions 104 x 58 x 21mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 0.8") 95 x 57 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 250 photos -
Battery format Battery Pack -
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, Internal
Storage slots One One
Cost at release $195 $180