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Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony NEX-5N

Portability
94
Imaging
40
Features
31
Overall
36
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-5N front
Portability
89
Imaging
56
Features
69
Overall
61

Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony NEX-5N Key Specs

Panasonic SZ8
(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
Sony NEX-5N
(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  • Superseded the Sony NEX-5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
Photography Glossary

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.

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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.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ8 over the Sony NEX-5N

 SZ8 NEX-5N 
AnnouncedJanuary 2014October 2011More recent by 28 months

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5N over the Panasonic SZ8

 NEX-5N SZ8 
Focus manually More precise focus
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution920k460kSharper display (+460k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Panasonic SZ8 and Sony NEX-5N

 SZ8 NEX-5N 
Display sizing3"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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony NEX-5N size comparison

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

Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony NEX-5N top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony NEX-5N Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony NEX-5N Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Portrait photography highlights
Sony NEX-5N Portrait photography highlights
35
decent MP (16 megapixels)
includes face detection autofocus
manual focus not available
no manual mode
no external flash support
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
73
you can focus manually
MP count good (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
has face detection focus
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Street photography highlights
Sony NEX-5N Street photography highlights
63
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (159g)
no moving screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
80
tilting screen
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
boasts focus by touch
great ISO range (25,600)
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic SZ8
Sports photography with Sony NEX-5N
34
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
bad battery life (200 per charge)
has no phase detect autofocus
58
MP count good (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
great battery life (460 per charge)
no image stabilization
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 as a Travel photography camera
Sony NEX-5N as a Travel photography camera
67
lighter than average (159 grams)
decent MP (16MP)
has built in flash
rather wide (24mm)
great reach (288mm)
no Timelapse recording
bad battery life (200 CIPA)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
70
great battery life (460 CIPA)
boasts focus by touch
MP count good (16MP)
no Time Lapse function
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Landscape photography factors
Sony NEX-5N Landscape photography factors
42
rather wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16MP)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
no manual mode
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
bad battery life (200 per charge)
no Timelapse recording
71
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
great ISO range (25,600)
delivers RAW files
great battery life (460 shots)
no image stabilization
no Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 as a Vlogging camera
Sony NEX-5N as a Vlogging camera
32
rather wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detection autofocus
lighter than average (159 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
no external microphone jack
33
touchscreen capability
has face detection focus
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
display isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
no external mic support
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Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony NEX-5N Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ8 and Sony NEX-5N
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8Sony 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