Panasonic ZS10 vs Sony NEX-5R

Here, we will be looking at the Panasonic ZS10 and Sony NEX-5R, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by companies Panasonic and Sony. The image resolution of the ZS10 (14MP) and the NEX-5R (16MP) is pretty well matched but the ZS10 (1/2.3") and NEX-5R (APS-C) boast totally different sensor size.

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The ZS10 was launched 19 months before the NEX-5R which makes them a generation apart from one another. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic ZS10 being a Compact camera and the Sony NEX-5R being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before going straight to a complete comparison, here is a quick overview of how the ZS10 matches up versus the NEX-5R in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

This is a preview of the gallery images for Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS10 and Sony Alpha NEX-5R. The complete galleries are viewable at Panasonic ZS10 Gallery and Sony NEX-5R Gallery.

For anybody who is going to carry your camera regularly, you have to consider its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic ZS10 enjoys physical measurements of 105mm x 58mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") along with a weight of 219 grams (0.48 lbs) while the Sony NEX-5R has dimensions of 111mm x 59mm x 39mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") and a weight of 276 grams (0.61 lbs).

Analyze the Panasonic ZS10 and Sony NEX-5R in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you use at the time. Following is a front view dimension comparison of the ZS10 compared to the NEX-5R.

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the ZS10 and NEX-5R is 91 and 89 respectively.

Quite often, its hard to visualise the gap between sensor sizing merely by looking at a spec sheet. The graphic below will help provide you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the ZS10 and NEX-5R.

Clearly, both cameras come with different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The ZS10 due to its tinier sensor will make shooting shallower depth of field more challenging and the Sony NEX-5R will give extra detail utilizing its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also help you crop photographs a good deal more aggressively. The older ZS10 is going to be behind in sensor technology.