Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony NEX-5N
94 Imaging
40 Features
31 Overall
36


89 Imaging
56 Features
69 Overall
61
Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony NEX-5N Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 1600 (Raise to 6400)
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 24-288mm (F3.1-6.3) lens
- 159g - 100 x 60 x 27mm
- Released January 2014
(Full Review)
- 16MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Tilting Display
- ISO 100 - 25600
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Sony E Mount
- 269g - 111 x 59 x 38mm
- Announced October 2011
- Superseded the Sony NEX-5
- Updated by Sony NEX-5R

Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony NEX-5N Overview
Below is a in depth analysis of the Panasonic SZ8 versus Sony NEX-5N, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by rivals Panasonic and Sony. The image resolution of the SZ8 (16MP) and the NEX-5N (16MP) is very close but the SZ8 (1/2.3") and NEX-5N (APS-C) use totally different sensor sizes.

The SZ8 was announced 2 years later than the NEX-5N and that is a fairly serious gap as far as camera technology is concerned. The two cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic SZ8 being a Compact camera and the Sony NEX-5N being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.
Before diving straight into a in depth comparison, below is a concise introduction of how the SZ8 scores versus the NEX-5N when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony NEX-5N Gallery
The following is a sample of the gallery pics for Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 and Sony Alpha NEX-5N. The whole galleries are viewable at Panasonic SZ8 Gallery and Sony NEX-5N Gallery.
Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ8 over the Sony NEX-5N
SZ8 | NEX-5N | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | January 2014 | ![]() | October 2011 | More recent by 28 months |
Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5N over the Panasonic SZ8
NEX-5N | SZ8 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | More precise focus | ||
Display type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting display |
Display resolution | 920k | ![]() | 460k | Sharper display (+460k dot) |
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Easily navigate |
Common features in the Panasonic SZ8 and Sony NEX-5N
SZ8 | NEX-5N | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display sizing | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equivalent display dimensions |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither features selfie screen |
Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony NEX-5N Physical Comparison
For anybody who is aiming to lug around your camera regularly, you have to factor in its weight and measurements. The Panasonic SZ8 enjoys external measurements of 100mm x 60mm x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs) and the Sony NEX-5N has proportions of 111mm x 59mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") with a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs).
Examine the Panasonic SZ8 versus Sony NEX-5N in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you have at the time. Below is the front view overall size comparison of the SZ8 against the NEX-5N.

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SZ8 and NEX-5N is 94 and 89 respectively.

Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony NEX-5N Sensor Comparison
Sometimes, it is very difficult to envision the difference in sensor measurements simply by viewing specs. The visual underneath should give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the SZ8 and NEX-5N.
As you can plainly see, each of the cameras offer the same exact megapixels but not the same sensor measurements. The SZ8 has got the smaller sensor which will make achieving shallow depth of field more difficult. The newer SZ8 will have an advantage in sensor tech.

Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony NEX-5N Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony NEX-5N Specifications
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 | Sony Alpha NEX-5N | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Panasonic | Sony |
Model | Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 | Sony Alpha NEX-5N |
Category | Small Sensor Superzoom | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
Released | 2014-01-06 | 2011-10-03 |
Physical type | Compact | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | Venus Engine | Bionz |
Sensor type | CCD | CMOS |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | APS-C |
Sensor dimensions | 6.08 x 4.56mm | 23.4 x 15.6mm |
Sensor surface area | 27.7mm² | 365.0mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16MP | 16MP |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Highest Possible resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4912 x 3264 |
Maximum native ISO | 1600 | 25600 |
Maximum enhanced ISO | 6400 | - |
Minimum native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW format | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
AF touch | ||
AF continuous | ||
AF single | ||
AF tracking | ||
AF selectice | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
Multi area AF | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detect AF | ||
Contract detect AF | ||
Phase detect AF | ||
Number of focus points | 9 | 25 |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | fixed lens | Sony E |
Lens focal range | 24-288mm (12.0x) | - |
Largest aperture | f/3.1-6.3 | - |
Number of lenses | - | 121 |
Focal length multiplier | 5.9 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Display size | 3" | 3" |
Display resolution | 460 thousand dots | 920 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch operation | ||
Display technology | TFT LCD | Tilt Up 80°, Down 45° TFT LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | Electronic (optional) |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 8 secs | 30 secs |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/2000 secs | 1/4000 secs |
Continuous shutter rate | 1.0 frames per sec | 10.0 frames per sec |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | - | Yes |
Custom WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash range | 5.20 m | 12.00 m |
Flash settings | Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in |
External flash | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Fastest flash synchronize | - | 1/160 secs |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p), 320 x 240 (30p) | 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | 1280x720 | 1920x1080 |
Video data format | Motion JPEG | AVCHD |
Mic support | ||
Headphone support | ||
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 | ||
Environmental sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 159 grams (0.35 lb) | 269 grams (0.59 lb) |
Dimensions | 100 x 60 x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") | 111 x 59 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall score | not tested | 77 |
DXO Color Depth score | not tested | 23.6 |
DXO Dynamic range score | not tested | 12.7 |
DXO Low light score | not tested | 1079 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 200 images | 460 images |
Battery style | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | - | NPFW50 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images)) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal | SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
Card slots | One | One |
Price at release | $275 | $550 |