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Panasonic ZS5 vs Sony S930

Portability
92
Imaging
34
Features
30
Overall
32
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S930 front
Portability
94
Imaging
32
Features
17
Overall
26

Panasonic ZS5 vs Sony S930 Key Specs

Panasonic ZS5
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-300mm (F3.3-4.9) lens
  • 214g - 103 x 60 x 32mm
  • Released June 2010
  • Also Known as Lumix DMC-TZ8
Sony S930
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.4" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 320 x 240 video
  • 38-108mm (F2.9-5.4) lens
  • 167g - 90 x 61 x 26mm
  • Introduced January 2009
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Panasonic ZS5 vs Sony S930 Overview

In this article, we will be analyzing the Panasonic ZS5 versus Sony S930, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Panasonic and Sony. The image resolution of the ZS5 (12MP) and the S930 (10MP) is pretty close and they possess the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The ZS5 was manufactured 18 months after the S930 which makes the cameras a generation away from one another. Each of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before delving straight into a complete comparison, below is a concise synopsis of how the ZS5 grades against the S930 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS5 over the Sony S930

 ZS5 S930 
IntroducedJune 2010January 2009More modern by 18 months
Screen sizing2.7"2.4"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution230k112kCrisper screen (+118k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony S930 over the Panasonic ZS5

 S930 ZS5 
Focus manually Very exact focusing

Common features in the Panasonic ZS5 and Sony S930

 ZS5 S930 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither contains Touch friendly screen

Panasonic ZS5 vs Sony S930 Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to carry around your camera, you will need to think about its weight and measurements. The Panasonic ZS5 has got outside measurements of 103mm x 60mm x 32mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") and a weight of 214 grams (0.47 lbs) whilst the Sony S930 has proportions of 90mm x 61mm x 26mm (3.5" x 2.4" x 1.0") with a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Examine the Panasonic ZS5 versus Sony S930 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are utilising at that time. Here is the front view sizing comparison of the ZS5 compared to the S930.

Panasonic ZS5 vs Sony S930 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the ZS5 and S930 is 92 and 94 respectively.

Panasonic ZS5 vs Sony S930 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS5 vs Sony S930 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is very hard to visualize the gap in sensor sizes simply by looking through specs. The image below will provide you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the ZS5 and S930.

All in all, each of the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit different MP. You can expect the Panasonic ZS5 to render extra detail due to its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will help you crop shots far more aggressively. The more modern ZS5 should have a benefit when it comes to sensor technology.

Panasonic ZS5 vs Sony S930 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS5 vs Sony S930 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS5 vs Sony S930 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS5 Portrait photography features
Sony S930 Portrait photography features
27
features face detection autofocus
no manual focus
external flash not possible
low MP (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
25
focusing manually
manual exposure not possible
can't use external flash
sensor resolution low (10MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS5 Street photography advice
Sony S930 Street photography advice
61
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (214 grams)
no moving screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS5 Sports photography factors
Sony S930 Sports photography factors
31
has image stabilization (Optical)
features tracking autofocus
maximum shutter speed is a little low (1/1,300 seconds)
max frames per second low (2.0 frames/s)
low MP (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
24
has image stabilization (Optical)
slow fps (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
sensor resolution low (10MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS5 Travel photography advice
Sony S930 Travel photography advice
63
lighter than others (214g)
has built in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
long zoom (300mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
low MP (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
50
flash built-in
missing Time Lapse recording
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
does not feature selfie friendly display
wide angle not the best (38mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.9)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS5 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony S930 as a Landscape photography camera
32
pretty wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
small screen (2.7")
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
does not have Time Lapse mode
31
focusing manually
has image stabilization (Optical)
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (38mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.9)
screen is small (2.4")
manual exposure not possible
sensor resolution low (10MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
missing Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS5 as a Vlogging camera
Sony S930 as a Vlogging camera
31
pretty wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
features face detection autofocus
lighter than others (214g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have external mic support
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not the best (38mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.9)
does not feature selfie friendly display
low res video (320 x 240 resolution)
missing mic port
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Panasonic ZS5 vs Sony S930 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS5 and Sony S930
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S930
General Information
Brand Panasonic Sony
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S930
Also referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ8 -
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Released 2010-06-16 2009-01-08
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Venus Engine HD II -
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 10 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4000 x 3000 3648 x 2736
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-300mm (12.0x) 38-108mm (2.8x)
Max aperture f/3.3-4.9 f/2.9-5.4
Macro focusing distance 3cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.7 inch 2.4 inch
Resolution of display 230k dot 112k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 1/8 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/1300 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 2.0 frames per second 2.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 5.30 m 3.00 m (Auto ISO)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, Forced Flash, Slow Syncro, No Flash
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 320x240
Video file format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) none
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 214g (0.47 lbs) 167g (0.37 lbs)
Dimensions 103 x 60 x 32mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") 90 x 61 x 26mm (3.5" x 2.4" x 1.0")
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 ID - 2 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo / PRo-HG Duo, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Cost at release $300 $219