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Panasonic ZS25 vs Sony NEX-5N

Portability
93
Imaging
39
Features
43
Overall
40
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS25 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-5N front
Portability
89
Imaging
56
Features
69
Overall
61

Panasonic ZS25 vs Sony NEX-5N Key Specs

Panasonic ZS25
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-480mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 193g - 105 x 59 x 28mm
  • Introduced January 2013
  • Also Known as Lumix DMC-TZ35
  • Older Model is Panasonic ZS20
  • Refreshed by Panasonic ZS30
Sony NEX-5N
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 269g - 111 x 59 x 38mm
  • Announced October 2011
  • Earlier Model is Sony NEX-5
  • Successor is Sony NEX-5R
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Panasonic ZS25 vs Sony NEX-5N Overview

On this page, we will be contrasting the Panasonic ZS25 and Sony NEX-5N, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by companies Panasonic and Sony. The resolution of the ZS25 (16MP) and the NEX-5N (16MP) is pretty close but the ZS25 (1/2.3") and NEX-5N (APS-C) posses different sensor size.

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The ZS25 was announced 16 months later than the NEX-5N which makes them a generation apart from each other. Both cameras have different body design with the Panasonic ZS25 being a Compact camera and the Sony NEX-5N being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving into a full comparison, here is a simple introduction of how the ZS25 matches up vs the NEX-5N with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Photography Glossary

        

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS25 over the Sony NEX-5N

 ZS25 NEX-5N 
AnnouncedJanuary 2013October 2011More recent by 16 months

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5N over the Panasonic ZS25

 NEX-5N ZS25 
Manual focus Very precise focus
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution920k460kSharper screen (+460k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Panasonic ZS25 and Sony NEX-5N

 ZS25 NEX-5N 
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen size
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen

Panasonic ZS25 vs Sony NEX-5N Physical Comparison

For anybody who is aiming to lug around your camera frequently, you will want to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic ZS25 has got physical dimensions of 105mm x 59mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") and a weight of 193 grams (0.43 lbs) whilst the Sony NEX-5N has dimensions of 111mm x 59mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") accompanied by a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs).

Check the Panasonic ZS25 and Sony NEX-5N in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you choose during that time. Below is a front view scale comparison of the ZS25 compared to the NEX-5N.

Panasonic ZS25 vs Sony NEX-5N size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the ZS25 and NEX-5N is 93 and 89 respectively.

Panasonic ZS25 vs Sony NEX-5N top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS25 vs Sony NEX-5N Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it can be difficult to picture the contrast in sensor measurements purely by looking through technical specs. The graphic below should give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the ZS25 and NEX-5N.

As you have seen, the 2 cameras have the same resolution albeit different sensor measurements. The ZS25 features the smaller sensor which will make getting shallower depth of field tougher. The more modern ZS25 should have an edge with regard to sensor tech.

Panasonic ZS25 vs Sony NEX-5N sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS25 vs Sony NEX-5N Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS25 vs Sony NEX-5N Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS25 Portrait photography factors
Sony NEX-5N Portrait photography factors
31
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
no manual focus
no external flash support
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
73
you can focus manually
good resolution (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
has face detection focusing
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS25 as a Street photography camera
Sony NEX-5N as a Street photography camera
66
image stabilization (Optical)
boasts touch to focus
lighter than competitors in class (193g)
no moving screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
80
screen tilts up and down
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
comes with touch to focus
good ISO range (25,600)
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS25 Sports photography highlights
Sony NEX-5N Sports photography highlights
44
incredible zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
has tracking focus
low maximum shutter speed (1/1,200 seconds)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
not so great battery power (260 CIPA)
does not have phase detect AF
58
good resolution (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
better than average battery power (460 shots)
lack of image stabilization
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS25 Travel photography advice
Sony NEX-5N Travel photography advice
69
lighter than competitors in class (193 grams)
boasts touch to focus
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
flash built-in
rather wide (24mm)
very long zoom (480mm)
no Time Lapse recording
not so great battery power (260 shots)
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.3)
70
better than average battery power (460 per charge)
comes with touch to focus
good resolution (16MP)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS25 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony NEX-5N as a Landscape photography camera
43
rather wide (24mm)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
not so great battery power (260 CIPA)
no Time Lapse recording
71
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
good ISO range (25,600)
exports RAW formats
better than average battery power (460 CIPA)
lack of image stabilization
doesn't have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS25 Vlogging factors
Sony NEX-5N Vlogging factors
33
rather wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competitors in class (193g)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
no mic port
33
touchscreen enabled
has face detection focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
display is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
doesn't have external microphone jack
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Panasonic ZS25 vs Sony NEX-5N Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS25 and Sony NEX-5N
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS25Sony Alpha NEX-5N
General Information
Brand Panasonic Sony
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS25 Sony Alpha NEX-5N
Also Known as Lumix DMC-TZ35 -
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level Mirrorless
Introduced 2013-01-07 2011-10-03
Body design Compact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by - Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4896 x 3672 4912 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 6400 25600
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 23 25
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Sony E
Lens zoom range 24-480mm (20.0x) -
Largest aperture f/3.3-6.4 -
Macro focusing distance 3cm -
Number of lenses - 121
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1.5
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Tilting
Display diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 460k dot 920k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display tech - Tilt Up 80°, Down 45° TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic (optional)
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/1200 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 10.0 frames per second 10.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 6.40 m 12.00 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash sync - 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (220 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, AVCHD AVCHD
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 193 gr (0.43 lb) 269 gr (0.59 lb)
Physical dimensions 105 x 59 x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") 111 x 59 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 77
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.6
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.7
DXO Low light rating not tested 1079
Other
Battery life 260 shots 460 shots
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - 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
Storage slots Single Single
Retail price $300 $550