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Panasonic ZS5 vs Sony W560

Portability
92
Imaging
35
Features
30
Overall
33
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W560 front
Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
28
Overall
33

Panasonic ZS5 vs Sony W560 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
  • Introduced June 2010
  • Additionally Known as Lumix DMC-TZ8
Sony W560
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-104mm (F2.7-5.7) lens
  • 110g - 94 x 56 x 19mm
  • Released January 2011
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Panasonic ZS5 vs Sony W560 Overview

Below, we will be looking at the Panasonic ZS5 and Sony W560, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Ultracompact by manufacturers Panasonic and Sony. The resolution of the ZS5 (12MP) and the W560 (14MP) is relatively similar and they use the exact same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The ZS5 was introduced 6 months earlier than the W560 which means that they are of a similar generation. Each of these cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic ZS5 being a Compact camera and the Sony W560 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before getting in to a step-by-step comparison, below is a quick synopsis of how the ZS5 grades against the W560 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS5 over the Sony W560

 ZS5 W560 

Reasons to pick Sony W560 over the Panasonic ZS5

 W560 ZS5 
Screen dimension3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")

Common features in the Panasonic ZS5 and Sony W560

 ZS5 W560 
ReleasedJune 2010January 2011Similar generation
Manually focus Lack of manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kEqual screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither has Touch friendly screen

Panasonic ZS5 vs Sony W560 Physical Comparison

In case you're intending to carry around your camera often, you'll have to consider its weight and measurements. The Panasonic ZS5 has exterior measurements of 103mm x 60mm x 32mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") along with a weight of 214 grams (0.47 lbs) and the Sony W560 has proportions of 94mm x 56mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7") with a weight of 110 grams (0.24 lbs).

Take a look at the Panasonic ZS5 and Sony W560 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you have attached at that time. Here is the front view over all size comparison of the ZS5 vs the W560.

Panasonic ZS5 vs Sony W560 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the ZS5 and W560 is 92 and 96 respectively.

Panasonic ZS5 vs Sony W560 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS5 vs Sony W560 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, its tough to picture the difference between sensor sizes simply by reviewing specs. The image below should provide you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the ZS5 and W560.

All in all, the 2 cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements albeit different resolution. You should count on the Sony W560 to deliver extra detail using its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop pictures somewhat more aggressively.

Panasonic ZS5 vs Sony W560 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS5 vs Sony W560 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS5 vs Sony W560 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS5 Portrait photography info
Sony W560 Portrait photography info
27
provides face detect autofocus
no manual focus
can't use external flash
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
28
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
manual exposure not possible
no external flash support
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS5 Street photography highlights
Sony W560 Street photography highlights
61
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (214g)
fixed screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
57
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS5 as a Sports photography camera
Sony W560 as a Sports photography camera
31
image stabilization (Optical)
provides tracking focus
low maximum shutter speed (1/1,300s)
painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
low MP (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
35
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS5 Travel photography advice
Sony W560 Travel photography advice
63
lighter than competition (214g)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (25mm)
long zoom (300mm)
no Time Lapse mode
low MP (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.3)
65
good megapixels (14MP)
has built in flash
relatively wide (26mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS5 Landscape photography advice
Sony W560 Landscape photography advice
33
reasonably wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
low MP (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
no Time Lapse mode
42
relatively wide (26mm)
good sized screen (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
manual exposure not possible
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
does not have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic ZS5
Vlogging with Sony W560
31
reasonably wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect autofocus
lighter than competition (214g)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
no mic jack
29
relatively wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have external mic socket
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Panasonic ZS5 vs Sony W560 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS5 and Sony W560
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W560
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Sony
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W560
Also called as Lumix DMC-TZ8 -
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Ultracompact
Introduced 2010-06-16 2011-01-06
Physical type Compact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Powered by Venus Engine HD II BIONZ
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 14 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4000 x 3000 4320 x 3240
Highest native ISO 6400 3200
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-300mm (12.0x) 26-104mm (4.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.3-4.9 f/2.7-5.7
Macro focusing distance 3cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.7 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display technology - Clear Photo LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 seconds 2 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/1300 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 2.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 5.30 m 3.80 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4
Mic port
Headphone port
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 sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 214 gr (0.47 lbs) 110 gr (0.24 lbs)
Dimensions 103 x 60 x 32mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") 94 x 56 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 - NP-BN1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Card slots 1 1
Retail pricing $300 $139