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Panasonic SZ5 vs Sony W650

Portability
95
Imaging
38
Features
34
Overall
36
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W650 front
Portability
96
Imaging
39
Features
32
Overall
36

Panasonic SZ5 vs Sony W650 Key Specs

Panasonic SZ5
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Push to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 136g - 104 x 58 x 21mm
  • Released July 2012
Sony W650
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-125mm (F2.6-6.3) lens
  • 124g - 94 x 56 x 19mm
  • Introduced January 2012
Photography Glossary

Panasonic SZ5 vs Sony W650 Overview

Below, we will be comparing the Panasonic SZ5 vs Sony W650, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by rivals Panasonic and Sony. The image resolution of the SZ5 (14MP) and the W650 (16MP) is relatively comparable and they come with the exact same sensor size (1/2.3").

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The SZ5 was manufactured 7 months after the W650 which means that they are of a similar generation. Both cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before getting straight into a more detailed comparison, below is a concise synopsis of how the SZ5 matches up vs the W650 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ5 over the Sony W650

 SZ5 W650 
IntroducedJuly 2012January 2012More modern by 7 months

Reasons to pick Sony W650 over the Panasonic SZ5

 W650 SZ5 

Common features in the Panasonic SZ5 and Sony W650

 SZ5 W650 
Manual focus Lack of manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen size
Screen resolution230k230kEqual screen resolution
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither features Touch friendly screen

Panasonic SZ5 vs Sony W650 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is aiming to carry around your camera frequently, you'll need to factor in its weight and proportions. The Panasonic SZ5 enjoys physical dimensions of 104mm x 58mm x 21mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 0.8") with a weight of 136 grams (0.30 lbs) whilst the Sony W650 has measurements of 94mm x 56mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7") and a weight of 124 grams (0.27 lbs).

Check the Panasonic SZ5 vs Sony W650 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are employing at that moment. Following is the front view physical size comparison of the SZ5 against the W650.

Panasonic SZ5 vs Sony W650 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the SZ5 and W650 is 95 and 96 respectively.

Panasonic SZ5 vs Sony W650 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ5 vs Sony W650 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is very hard to envision the difference in sensor sizes only by checking out a spec sheet. The picture underneath should provide you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the SZ5 and W650.

As you can see, both cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements albeit not the same megapixels. You should count on the Sony W650 to produce greater detail due to its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop pictures somewhat more aggressively. The more recent SZ5 will have a benefit with regard to sensor innovation.

Panasonic SZ5 vs Sony W650 sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ5 vs Sony W650 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic SZ5 vs Sony W650 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic SZ5 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony W650 as a Portrait photography camera
34
decent MP (14MP)
includes face detection focus
no manual focus
manual exposure not available
no external flash support
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
34
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
features face detect focusing
lack of manual focus
no manual exposure
external flash not possible
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Panasonic SZ5 Street photography factors
Sony W650 Street photography factors
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (136g)
no articulating screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (124 grams)
no articulating screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic SZ5 as a Sports photography camera
Sony W650 as a Sports photography camera
40
image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (14 megapixels)
includes tracking autofocus
max fps low (2.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
40
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
features tracking focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic SZ5 Travel photography highlights
Sony W650 Travel photography highlights
70
lighter than competition (136 grams)
decent MP (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
really wide (25mm)
long zoom (250mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
69
lighter than others in class (124g)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
relatively wide (25mm)
no Timelapse recording
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f2.6)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic SZ5 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony W650 as a Landscape photography camera
42
really wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (14 megapixels)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
manual exposure not available
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
doesn't have Timelapse function
43
relatively wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16MP)
lack of manual focus
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.6)
no manual exposure
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
no Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic SZ5 Vlogging information
Sony W650 Vlogging information
32
really wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detection focus
lighter than competition (136 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have external microphone support
33
relatively wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect focusing
lighter than others in class (124 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f2.6)
display isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
no microphone port
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Panasonic SZ5 vs Sony W650 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ5 and Sony W650
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W650
General Information
Company Panasonic Sony
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W650
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Released 2012-07-18 2012-01-10
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - BIONZ
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 14 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4320 x 3240 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 1600 3200
Maximum boosted ISO 6400 -
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 23 -
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-250mm (10.0x) 25-125mm (5.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.1-5.9 f/2.6-6.3
Macro focus distance 5cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display tech TFT Screen LCD Clear Photo TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 8s 2s
Maximum shutter speed 1/1600s 1/1600s
Continuous shooting speed 2.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 5.60 m 3.70 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720p ( 30,25 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4 MPEG-4, H.264
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 None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 136g (0.30 lb) 124g (0.27 lb)
Dimensions 104 x 58 x 21mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 0.8") 94 x 56 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7")
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 shots 220 shots
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - NP-BN
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, microSD/micro SDHC, Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots 1 1
Retail pricing $195 $140