Panasonic ZS5 vs Sony RX100
92 Imaging
34 Features
30 Overall
32
91 Imaging
49 Features
68 Overall
56
Panasonic ZS5 vs Sony RX100 Key Specs
(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
- Revealed June 2010
- Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-TZ8
(Full Review)
- 20MP - 1" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 25600
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 28-100mm (F1.8-4.9) lens
- 240g - 102 x 58 x 36mm
- Launched August 2012
- Renewed by Sony RX100 II
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Here, we will be evaluating the Panasonic ZS5 vs Sony RX100, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Large Sensor Compact by brands Panasonic and Sony. There exists a large gap between the image resolutions of the ZS5 (12MP) and RX100 (20MP) and the ZS5 (1/2.3") and RX100 (1") have different sensor dimensions.
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music videoThe ZS5 was introduced 3 years prior to the RX100 which is quite a serious difference as far as technology is concerned. Both of these cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic ZS5 being a Compact camera and the Sony RX100 being a Large Sensor Compact camera.
Before delving straight to a complete comparison, here is a concise overview of how the ZS5 scores against the RX100 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.
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Following is a preview of the gallery photos for Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5 & Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100. The whole galleries are viewable at Panasonic ZS5 Gallery & Sony RX100 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS5 over the Sony RX100
| ZS5 | RX100 |
|---|
Reasons to pick Sony RX100 over the Panasonic ZS5
| RX100 | ZS5 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Launched | August 2012 | June 2010 | More modern by 26 months | |
| Manually focus | More accurate focus | |||
| Screen size | 3" | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") | |
| Screen resolution | 1229k | 230k | Sharper screen (+999k dot) |
Common features in the Panasonic ZS5 and Sony RX100
| ZS5 | RX100 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screen type | Fixed | Fixed | Fixed screen | |
| Selfie screen | Missing selfie screen | |||
| Touch screen | Missing Touch screen |
Panasonic ZS5 vs Sony RX100 Physical Comparison
If you're planning to carry around your camera frequently, you will have to take into account its weight and proportions. The Panasonic ZS5 offers external measurements of 103mm x 60mm x 32mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") having a weight of 214 grams (0.47 lbs) while the Sony RX100 has measurements of 102mm x 58mm x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.4") with a weight of 240 grams (0.53 lbs).
Contrast the Panasonic ZS5 vs Sony RX100 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are utilizing during that time. Here is a front view measurements comparison of the ZS5 versus the RX100.

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the ZS5 and RX100 is 92 and 91 respectively.
Panasonic ZS5 vs Sony RX100 Sensor Comparison
More often than not, it's hard to visualize the gap between sensor sizes merely by reviewing technical specs. The pic below may offer you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the ZS5 and RX100.
As you have seen, both of the cameras come with different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The ZS5 having a tinier sensor is going to make achieving bokeh tougher and the Sony RX100 will offer you extra detail using its extra 8MP. Higher resolution will help you crop photographs a good deal more aggressively. The more aged ZS5 is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor innovation.
Panasonic ZS5 vs Sony RX100 Screen and ViewFinder
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Panasonic ZS5 vs Sony RX100 Specifications
| Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Make | Panasonic | Sony |
| Model | Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 |
| Alternative name | Lumix DMC-TZ8 | - |
| Category | Small Sensor Superzoom | Large Sensor Compact |
| Revealed | 2010-06-16 | 2012-08-28 |
| Body design | Compact | Large Sensor Compact |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Processor Chip | Venus Engine HD II | - |
| Sensor type | CCD | CMOS |
| Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1" |
| Sensor measurements | 6.08 x 4.56mm | 13.2 x 8.8mm |
| Sensor surface area | 27.7mm² | 116.2mm² |
| Sensor resolution | 12 megapixel | 20 megapixel |
| Anti aliasing filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
| Max resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 5472 x 3648 |
| Max native ISO | 6400 | 25600 |
| Lowest native ISO | 80 | 100 |
| RAW photos | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Focus manually | ||
| Touch focus | ||
| Continuous autofocus | ||
| Autofocus single | ||
| Autofocus tracking | ||
| Autofocus selectice | ||
| Center weighted autofocus | ||
| Autofocus multi area | ||
| Live view autofocus | ||
| Face detection focus | ||
| Contract detection focus | ||
| Phase detection focus | ||
| Number of focus points | 11 | 25 |
| Lens | ||
| Lens mounting type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
| Lens focal range | 25-300mm (12.0x) | 28-100mm (3.6x) |
| Maximal aperture | f/3.3-4.9 | f/1.8-4.9 |
| Macro focus distance | 3cm | 5cm |
| Crop factor | 5.9 | 2.7 |
| Screen | ||
| Screen type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
| Screen diagonal | 2.7 inch | 3 inch |
| Screen resolution | 230 thousand dot | 1,229 thousand dot |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch capability | ||
| Screen tech | - | WhiteMagic TFT LCD |
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder | None | None |
| Features | ||
| Minimum shutter speed | 60s | 30s |
| Fastest shutter speed | 1/1300s | 1/2000s |
| Continuous shutter speed | 2.0 frames/s | 10.0 frames/s |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Expose Manually | ||
| Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
| Change white balance | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Built-in flash | ||
| Flash range | 5.30 m | - |
| Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro | Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync |
| Hot shoe | ||
| AE bracketing | ||
| White balance bracketing | ||
| Fastest flash sync | - | 1/2000s |
| 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) | 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
| Max video resolution | 1280x720 | 1920x1080 |
| Video data format | Motion JPEG | MPEG-4, AVCHD |
| Microphone jack | ||
| Headphone jack | ||
| 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 | ||
| Environment seal | ||
| Water proof | ||
| Dust proof | ||
| Shock proof | ||
| Crush proof | ||
| Freeze proof | ||
| Weight | 214 grams (0.47 lb) | 240 grams (0.53 lb) |
| Physical dimensions | 103 x 60 x 32mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") | 102 x 58 x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.4") |
| DXO scores | ||
| DXO Overall score | not tested | 66 |
| DXO Color Depth score | not tested | 22.6 |
| DXO Dynamic range score | not tested | 12.4 |
| DXO Low light score | not tested | 390 |
| Other | ||
| Battery life | - | 330 images |
| Battery form | - | Battery Pack |
| Battery model | - | NP-BX1 |
| Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2) |
| Time lapse feature | With downloadable app | |
| Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo |
| Storage slots | 1 | 1 |
| Pricing at release | $300 | $448 |