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Panasonic ZS5 vs Sony A9 II

Portability
92
Imaging
34
Features
30
Overall
32
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5 front
 
Sony Alpha A9 Mark II front
Portability
62
Imaging
74
Features
93
Overall
81

Panasonic ZS5 vs Sony A9 II Key Specs

Panasonic ZS5
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-300mm (F3.3-4.9) lens
  • 214g - 103 x 60 x 32mm
  • Introduced June 2010
  • Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-TZ8
Sony A9 II
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Raise to 204800)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 678g - 129 x 96 x 76mm
  • Revealed October 2019
  • Previous Model is Sony A9
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Panasonic ZS5 vs Sony A9 II Overview

Below, we will be reviewing the Panasonic ZS5 vs Sony A9 II, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Pro Mirrorless by rivals Panasonic and Sony. There exists a noticeable gap between the image resolutions of the ZS5 (12MP) and A9 II (24MP) and the ZS5 (1/2.3") and A9 II (Full frame) come with totally different sensor sizes.

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The ZS5 was launched 10 years earlier than the A9 II which is quite a sizable difference as far as technology is concerned. Both of these cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic ZS5 being a Compact camera and the Sony A9 II being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go in to a in-depth comparison, below is a concise summary of how the ZS5 matches up versus the A9 II in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS5 over the Sony A9 II

 ZS5 A9 II 

Reasons to pick Sony A9 II over the Panasonic ZS5

 A9 II ZS5 
RevealedOctober 2019June 2010Newer by 113 months
Focus manually Dial accurate focusing
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen dimension3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution1440k230kCrisper screen (+1210k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Panasonic ZS5 and Sony A9 II

 ZS5 A9 II 
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen

Panasonic ZS5 vs Sony A9 II Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to travel with your camera frequently, you will need to factor its weight and volume. The Panasonic ZS5 enjoys outer dimensions of 103mm x 60mm x 32mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 214 grams (0.47 lbs) whilst the Sony A9 II has sizing of 129mm x 96mm x 76mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 3.0") accompanied by a weight of 678 grams (1.49 lbs).

Look at the Panasonic ZS5 vs Sony A9 II in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are working with at that time. Below is the front view dimension comparison of the ZS5 against the A9 II.

Panasonic ZS5 vs Sony A9 II size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the ZS5 and A9 II is 92 and 62 respectively.

Panasonic ZS5 vs Sony A9 II top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS5 vs Sony A9 II Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is hard to see the contrast between sensor dimensions purely by reading technical specs. The picture underneath may provide you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the ZS5 and A9 II.

As you can tell, the two cameras posses different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The ZS5 featuring a tinier sensor will make achieving shallower DOF harder and the Sony A9 II will deliver more detail utilizing its extra 12MP. Higher resolution can also help you crop shots somewhat more aggressively. The more aged ZS5 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Panasonic ZS5 vs Sony A9 II sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS5 vs Sony A9 II Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS5 vs Sony A9 II Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS5 Portrait photography information
Sony A9 II Portrait photography information
27
comes with face detection focus
manual focus not available
cannot use external flash
low resolution (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
84
focusing manually
megapixel count decent (24 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
includes face detect focusing
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS5 as a Street photography camera
Sony A9 II as a Street photography camera
61
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (214g)
screen is fixed
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
78
screen tilts up and down
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
big sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
boasts touch to focus
weather sealing
good high ISO (51,200)
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS5 Sports photography features
Sony A9 II Sports photography features
31
image stabilization (Optical)
comes with tracking autofocus
low maximum shutter speed (1/1,300s)
max frames per second very slow (2.0 frames per second)
low resolution (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
87
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
silent shooting (1/32,000s)
fast continuous shooting (20.0 fps)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count decent (24 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
includes tracking focus
weather sealing
better than average battery life (690 shots)
sensor has phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS5 Travel photography details
Sony A9 II Travel photography details
63
lighter than competition in class (214g)
flash built-in
decently wide (25mm)
long reach (300mm)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
low resolution (12MP)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
72
better than average battery life (690 shots)
weather sealing
connects via bluetooth
boasts touch to focus
megapixel count decent (24MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS5 Landscape photography details
Sony A9 II Landscape photography details
32
decently wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
low resolution (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
doesn't have Timelapse recording
85
focusing manually
change lenses (Sony E mount)
decent sized screen (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count decent (24MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
good high ISO (51,200)
delivers RAW formats
weather sealing
better than average battery life (690 shots)
has dual storage slots
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS5 Vlogging info
Sony A9 II Vlogging info
31
decently wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detection focus
lighter than competition in class (214g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have external microphone socket
36
touchscreen functionality
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
includes face detect focusing
video res high (3840 x 2160 pixels)
includes mic jack
screen is not selfie friendly
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Panasonic ZS5 vs Sony A9 II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS5 and Sony A9 II
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5Sony Alpha A9 Mark II
General Information
Brand Panasonic Sony
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5 Sony Alpha A9 Mark II
Alternative name Lumix DMC-TZ8 -
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Pro Mirrorless
Introduced 2010-06-16 2019-10-03
Body design Compact SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Venus Engine HD II BIONZ X
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Full frame
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 35.6 x 23.8mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 847.3mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 24 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 4000 x 3000 6000 x 4000
Maximum native ISO 6400 51200
Maximum enhanced ISO - 204800
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW files
Lowest enhanced ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 11 693
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Sony E
Lens zoom range 25-300mm (12.0x) -
Largest aperture f/3.3-4.9 -
Macro focusing distance 3cm -
Total lenses - 121
Crop factor 5.9 1
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen sizing 2.7 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 230k dot 1,440k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 3,686k dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.78x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/1300 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Fastest silent shutter speed - 1/32000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 2.0 frames/s 20.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 5.30 m no built-in flash
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Flash off, Autoflash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync., Red-eye reduction, Wireless, Hi-speed sync
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 3840x2160
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 3.1 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 214 grams (0.47 lbs) 678 grams (1.49 lbs)
Dimensions 103 x 60 x 32mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") 129 x 96 x 76mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 3.0")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life - 690 shots
Type of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-FZ100
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2, 5, 10 secs + continuous, 3 or 5 frames)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II compatible)
Storage slots 1 Two
Pricing at release $300 $4,498