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Panasonic ZS5 vs Sony A37

Portability
92
Imaging
34
Features
30
Overall
32
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5 front
 
Sony SLT-A37 front
Portability
67
Imaging
56
Features
65
Overall
59

Panasonic ZS5 vs Sony A37 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
  • Announced June 2010
  • Also referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ8
Sony A37
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.6" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 506g - 124 x 92 x 85mm
  • Introduced May 2012
  • Old Model is Sony A35
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Panasonic ZS5 vs Sony A37 Overview

Following is a extended comparison of the Panasonic ZS5 vs Sony A37, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by companies Panasonic and Sony. There is a sizable difference among the sensor resolutions of the ZS5 (12MP) and A37 (16MP) and the ZS5 (1/2.3") and A37 (APS-C) feature totally different sensor size.

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The ZS5 was launched 23 months earlier than the A37 which makes the cameras a generation away from each other. Both cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic ZS5 being a Compact camera and the Sony A37 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before going straight into a step-by-step comparison, below is a short overview of how the ZS5 scores vs the A37 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS5 over the Sony A37

 ZS5 A37 
Screen dimension2.7"2.6"Bigger screen (+0.1")

Reasons to pick Sony A37 over the Panasonic ZS5

 A37 ZS5 
IntroducedMay 2012June 2010More modern by 23 months
Manually focus Very precise focusing
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen

Common features in the Panasonic ZS5 and Sony A37

 ZS5 A37 
Screen resolution230k230kIdentical screen resolution
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch screen No Touch screen

Panasonic ZS5 vs Sony A37 Physical Comparison

When you are looking to carry around your camera frequently, you're going to have to consider its weight and measurements. The Panasonic ZS5 has 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 A37 has proportions of 124mm x 92mm x 85mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 3.3") with a weight of 506 grams (1.12 lbs).

Compare the Panasonic ZS5 vs Sony A37 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are employing at the time. The following is the front view dimensions comparison of the ZS5 against the A37.

Panasonic ZS5 vs Sony A37 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the ZS5 and A37 is 92 and 67 respectively.

Panasonic ZS5 vs Sony A37 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS5 vs Sony A37 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is very tough to envision the contrast in sensor sizes simply by seeing specifications. The pic below will help offer you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the ZS5 and A37.

Plainly, both cameras have got different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The ZS5 due to its smaller sensor will make achieving bokeh more challenging and the Sony A37 will provide extra detail utilizing its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop shots much more aggressively. The more aged ZS5 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor innovation.

Panasonic ZS5 vs Sony A37 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS5 vs Sony A37 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS5 vs Sony A37 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic ZS5
Portrait photography with Sony A37
27
features face detect focusing
manual focus not available
cannot use external flash
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
73
focusing manually
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports face detect autofocus
exports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS5 Street photography details
Sony A37 Street photography details
61
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (214 grams)
screen does not articulate
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
77
screen tilts
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
good ISO range (25,600)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic ZS5
Sports photography with Sony A37
31
image stabilization (Optical)
features tracking focus
low max shutter speed (1/1,300 seconds)
painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
megapixel count low (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
61
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
has phase detect autofocus
continuous shooting slow (6.0 frames/s)
low battery power (500 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS5 Travel photography advice
Sony A37 Travel photography advice
63
lighter than competition (214 grams)
built-in flash
relatively wide (25mm)
very long reach (300mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
megapixel count low (12MP)
does not offer selfie friendly display
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
54
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
flash built-in
does not have Time Lapse recording
low battery power (500 shots)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS5 Landscape photography details
Sony A37 Landscape photography details
32
relatively wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is small (2.7")
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
64
focusing manually
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
good ISO range (25,600)
exports RAW files
screen is somewhat small (2.6 inches)
low battery power (500 per charge)
does not have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS5 Vlogging features
Sony A37 Vlogging features
31
relatively wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect focusing
lighter than competition (214g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
does not offer selfie friendly display
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have mic support
35
image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detect autofocus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
has mic jack
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Panasonic ZS5 vs Sony A37 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS5 and Sony A37
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5Sony SLT-A37
General Information
Make Panasonic Sony
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5 Sony SLT-A37
Also Known as Lumix DMC-TZ8 -
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level DSLR
Announced 2010-06-16 2012-05-16
Body design Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Venus Engine HD II -
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4000 x 3000 4912 x 3264
Max native ISO 6400 25600
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 11 15
Cross focus points - 3
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens focal range 25-300mm (12.0x) -
Largest aperture f/3.3-4.9 -
Macro focus distance 3cm -
Total lenses - 143
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen sizing 2.7 inches 2.6 inches
Resolution of screen 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,440k dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.73x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/1300 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 2.0 frames per second 6.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 5.30 m 12.00 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Highest flash sync - 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
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, 29.97 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 640 x 424 (29.97 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Mic 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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 214 grams (0.47 lbs) 506 grams (1.12 lbs)
Dimensions 103 x 60 x 32mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") 124 x 92 x 85mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 75
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.3
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 12.9
DXO Low light score not tested 799
Other
Battery life - 500 images
Battery format - Battery Pack
Battery model - NP-FW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec 3 or 5 images)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots One One
Cost at launch $300 $522