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Panasonic XS1 vs Sony NEX-5R

Portability
97
Imaging
39
Features
26
Overall
33
Panasonic Lumix DMC-XS1 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-5R front
Portability
89
Imaging
56
Features
76
Overall
64

Panasonic XS1 vs Sony NEX-5R Key Specs

Panasonic XS1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-120mm (F2.8-6.9) lens
  • 103g - 94 x 54 x 14mm
  • Announced January 2013
Sony NEX-5R
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 276g - 111 x 59 x 39mm
  • Released August 2012
  • Old Model is Sony NEX-5N
  • Updated by Sony NEX-5T
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Panasonic XS1 vs Sony NEX-5R Overview

Following is a detailed comparison of the Panasonic XS1 versus Sony NEX-5R, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by manufacturers Panasonic and Sony. The image resolution of the XS1 (16MP) and the NEX-5R (16MP) is fairly similar but the XS1 (1/2.3") and NEX-5R (APS-C) possess different sensor sizing.

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The XS1 was unveiled 5 months after the NEX-5R which means that they are of a similar generation. The two cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic XS1 being a Compact camera and the Sony NEX-5R being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go through a full comparison, below is a simple summation of how the XS1 scores versus the NEX-5R for portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic XS1 over the Sony NEX-5R

 XS1 NEX-5R 

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5R over the Panasonic XS1

 NEX-5R XS1 
Focus manually Very exact focus
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display dimension3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution920k230kCrisper display (+690k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Panasonic XS1 and Sony NEX-5R

 XS1 NEX-5R 
ReleasedJanuary 2013August 2012Similar generation
Selfie screen No selfie screen

Panasonic XS1 vs Sony NEX-5R Physical Comparison

If you're planning to carry around your camera frequently, you will have to factor its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic XS1 provides outside dimensions of 94mm x 54mm x 14mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.6") having a weight of 103 grams (0.23 lbs) while the Sony NEX-5R has dimensions of 111mm x 59mm x 39mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") along with a weight of 276 grams (0.61 lbs).

Compare the Panasonic XS1 versus Sony NEX-5R in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are working with at the time. Below is the front view dimension comparison of the XS1 versus the NEX-5R.

Panasonic XS1 vs Sony NEX-5R size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the XS1 and NEX-5R is 97 and 89 respectively.

Panasonic XS1 vs Sony NEX-5R top view buttons comparison

Panasonic XS1 vs Sony NEX-5R Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is hard to visualize the difference between sensor sizes only by going over a spec sheet. The picture underneath will offer you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the XS1 and NEX-5R.

As you can see, both cameras posses the exact same resolution but different sensor sizes. The XS1 has the tinier sensor which should make getting bokeh more difficult.

Panasonic XS1 vs Sony NEX-5R sensor size comparison

Panasonic XS1 vs Sony NEX-5R Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic XS1 vs Sony NEX-5R Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic XS1 Portrait photography features
Sony NEX-5R Portrait photography features
30
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
no manual mode
can't use external flash
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
73
manual focus
MP count decent (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Panasonic XS1 as a Street photography camera
Sony NEX-5R as a Street photography camera
64
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (103g)
screen is fixed
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
80
tilting screen
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
includes focus by touch
great ISO range (25,600)
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic XS1
Sports photography with Sony NEX-5R
40
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
features tracking focus
max fps very slow (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
68
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
provides tracking focus
has phase detect autofocus
lack of image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic XS1 as a Travel photography camera
Sony NEX-5R as a Travel photography camera
69
lighter than average in class (103g)
MP count decent (16MP)
built-in flash
rather wide (24mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
screen is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
73
includes focus by touch
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic XS1
Landscape photography with Sony NEX-5R
38
rather wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
tiny screen (2.7")
no manual mode
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
75
manual focus
change lenses (Sony E mount)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
MP count decent (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
great ISO range (25,600)
delivers RAW formats
lack of image stabilization
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic XS1 Vlogging features
Sony NEX-5R Vlogging features
31
rather wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (103g)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is not selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have mic jack
31
touchscreen functionality
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
doesn't have mic support
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Panasonic XS1 vs Sony NEX-5R Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic XS1 and Sony NEX-5R
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-XS1Sony Alpha NEX-5R
General Information
Brand Panasonic Sony
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-XS1 Sony Alpha NEX-5R
Category Small Sensor Compact Entry-Level Mirrorless
Announced 2013-01-07 2012-08-29
Physical type Compact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - 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 16 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 4912 x 3264
Max native ISO 6400 25600
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points - 99
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Sony E
Lens zoom range 24-120mm (5.0x) -
Highest aperture f/2.8-6.9 -
Macro focusing range 5cm -
Total lenses - 121
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen size 2.7 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 230 thousand dots 920 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology TFT LCD Tilt Up 180� Down 50� TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic (optional)
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/1600s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter rate 1.0 frames per second 10.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 4.40 m no built-in flash
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize - 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG AVCHD
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 103g (0.23 lb) 276g (0.61 lb)
Dimensions 94 x 54 x 14mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.6") 111 x 59 x 39mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 78
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.7
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 13.1
DXO Low light rating not tested 910
Other
Battery life 260 images 330 images
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - NPFW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images))
Time lapse recording With downloadable app
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Single Single
Pricing at release $130 $750