Panasonic DMC-ZS7 vs Sony DSC-HX5

differences

Advantages of the Panasonic DMC-ZS7

Significantly higher true resolution

9.8 MP

9 MP

Capture around 10% more detail in your photos

More zoom

12x

10x

More than 40% more zoom

Higher resolution screen

460k dots

230k dots

2x higher resolution screen

Wider aperture

f/3.3

f/3.5

At its widest zoom, the DMC-ZS7's lens captures marginally more light (0.2 f-stops)

Larger sensor

1/2.3" 6.1x4.6mm

1/2.5" 6.3x4.2mm

Around 10% larger sensor

Has boost ISO

6,400 ISO

None

Allows taking photos in darker situations, often at the cost of additional noise in the image

Better macro capability

3 cm

5 cm

Focus on subjects 40% closer to the lens

Significantly longer exposures

60s

30s

2x longer exposures

Faster max shutter speed

1/2000s

1/1600s

20% faster max shutter speed

Learn more about
the Panasonic DMC-ZS7

Advantages of the Sony DSC-HX5

Higher resolution movies

1080p @ 30fps

720p @ 30fps

Shoots higher resolution Full HD (1080p) video

Has a CMOS-family sensor

CMOS

CCD

CMOS-family sensors often produce better quality images

Shoots significantly faster

10 fps

2.3 fps

Around 4.5x faster continuous shooting

Smaller

102x58x29 mm

103x60x33 mm

Around 20% smaller

Better maximum light sensitivity

3,200 ISO

1,600 ISO

The DSC-HX5's maximum light sensitivity is 1 f-stop better

Thinner

1.1"

1.3"

More than 10% thinner

Lighter

200 g

218 g

Around 10% lighter

Cheaper

$251.00

$360.99

The best price we've seen is $110 cheaper (more than 30% less)

Learn more about
the Sony DSC-HX5

recommendations

Relative to the best recent travel zooms, and ignoring price

Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS7

65	vs	68
Explain scores

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX5

Snapsort recommends the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX5.

advice

Need help deciding?

Ask the community!

I am considering either the Panasonic DMC-ZS7 or the Sony DSC-HX5,

For example: Taking photos in low light or great family photos or ability to take great photos underwater

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votes

by Julie-Woeltje last month

Panasonic DMC-ZS7 vs Panasonic ZS15

I use our camera to take photos of indoor/outdoor family gatherings, vacations, band concerts.

I am not a beginner but definitely not an expert. I want pictures to be the right color, I'd like ...

2 people recommend the Panasonic ZS15:

"I think both cameras will perform similarly in low light. But the overall advantage goes to the ZS..."

"I am not sure if you will find many point and shoot cameras that will last you 7 to 8 years, but i..."

similarities

Compared to recent compacts

Common Strengths

Common Weaknesses

	Good wide angle
	25 mm

	Built-in GPS
	Great for travel

	Good image stabilization
	Lens

Long exposures

DMC-ZS7:	60s
DSC-HX5:	30s

Heavy

DMC-ZS7:	218 g
DSC-HX5:	200 g

Quite thick

DMC-ZS7:	1.3"
DSC-HX5:	1.1"

	Neither camera stitches together panoramas
	You could stitch photos in post

	Neither has in-camera HDR
	You could do HDR manually

	No touchscreens
	More buttons

Large

DMC-ZS7:	103x60x33 mm
DSC-HX5:	102x58x29 mm

Compared to recent travel zooms

Common Strengths

Common Weaknesses

Snapsort is not aware of any interesting strengths shared by these two products.

	Neither camera can take 3D photos
	No 3d support

	No high speed movie support
	Not supported

Poor zoom

DMC-ZS7:	12x
DSC-HX5:	10x

competitors

Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS10

Travel zoom

$328

Has significantly more zoom

Records high-speed movies

Is slightly more expensive

Is thicker

Compare the Lumix DMC-ZS10 vs the Lumix DMC-ZS7

Compare the Lumix DMC-ZS10 vs the Cyber-shot DSC-HX5

Panasonic Lumix ZS20

Travel zoom

$290 - $350

Has way more more zoom

Records high-speed movies

Slightly shorter exposures

Compare the Lumix ZS20 vs the Lumix DMC-ZS7

Compare the Lumix ZS20 vs the Cyber-shot DSC-HX5

Sony Cybershot DSC-HX9v

Travel zoom

$319

Has significantly more zoom

Has a significantly higher resolution screen

Has a slower max shutter speed

Is slightly more expensive

Compare the Cybershot DSC-HX9v vs the Lumix DMC-ZS7

Compare the Cybershot DSC-HX9v vs the Cyber-shot DSC-HX5

Canon ELPH 300 HS

Compact

$148 - $179

Has a significantly wider aperture

Is significantly smaller

Slightly shorter exposures

Has a significantly smaller screen

Compare the ELPH 300 HS vs the Lumix DMC-ZS7

Compare the ELPH 300 HS vs the Cyber-shot DSC-HX5

Canon PowerShot SX220 HS

Travel zoom

$281 - $332

Has slightly more zoom

Records high-speed movies

Slightly shorter exposures

Is thicker

Compare the PowerShot SX220 HS vs the Lumix DMC-ZS7

Compare the PowerShot SX220 HS vs the Cyber-shot DSC-HX5

Canon Powershot S100

Pro digicam

$356 - $430

Has a much wider aperture

Records high-speed movies

Slightly shorter exposures

Is slightly more expensive

Compare the Powershot S100 vs the Lumix DMC-ZS7

Compare the Powershot S100 vs the Cyber-shot DSC-HX5

Canon PowerShot S95

Pro digicam

$340 - $389

Has a much wider aperture

Records movies in 24p

Has a slower max shutter speed

Slightly shorter exposures

Compare the PowerShot S95 vs the Lumix DMC-ZS7

Compare the PowerShot S95 vs the Cyber-shot DSC-HX5

Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8

Travel zoom

$159 - $271

More zoom

Better wide angle

No built-in GPS

Lower resolution screen

Compare the Lumix DMC-ZS8 vs the Lumix DMC-ZS7

Panasonic Lumix ZS15

Travel zoom

$270

More zoom

Higher resolution movies

No built-in GPS

Compare the Lumix ZS15 vs the Lumix DMC-ZS7

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX5v

Travel zoom

Higher resolution movies

Has a CMOS-family sensor

Significantly lower true resolution

Less zoom

Compare the Cyber-shot DSC-HX5v vs the Lumix DMC-ZS7

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5

Pro digicam

$339

Much larger sensor

Much wider aperture

No built-in GPS

Significantly less zoom

Compare the Lumix DMC-LX5 vs the Lumix DMC-ZS7

Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3

Travel zoom

No built-in GPS

Heavier

Compare the Lumix DMC-ZS3 vs the Lumix DMC-ZS7

Sony Cybershot H70

Travel zoom

$180

Can create panoramas in-camera

Significantly higher true resolution

No built-in GPS

Lower resolution movies

Compare the Cybershot H70 vs the Cyber-shot DSC-HX5

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX7v

Travel zoom

$321

Much higher resolution screen

Takes 3D photos

More expensive

Slightly heavier

Compare the Cyber-shot DSC-HX7v vs the Cyber-shot DSC-HX5

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V

Travel zoom

$399

Much more zoom

Much higher resolution screen

Significantly larger

Significantly heavier

Compare the Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V vs the Cyber-shot DSC-HX5

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX10V

Travel zoom

$328

Significantly more zoom

Much higher resolution screen

Larger

Heavier

Compare the Cyber-shot DSC-HX10V vs the Cyber-shot DSC-HX5

appearance

discussion

Showing 3 comments

speaklightly

(4:34 AM, March 31, 2010)

I originally purchased the ZS7 but was disappointed in it image quality, poor WB, and poor battery life. I returned the ZS7 and purchased the HX5 and am a happy camper.

Sarah Joyce

christopherreid

(6:12 PM, March 14, 2010)

Indeed thanks for noting this. We don't yet note which cameras have GPS and its something thats on our list. With GPS and geo-tags the ZS7 (TZ10 in Europe) can identify over half a million locations out of the box. Very cool stuff. It pops the geolocation right in the image EXIF data for use with your favorite photo program - I know Picasa does geo-tagging via google earth so it likely supports geolocation with the Zs7. Its certainly one of the smallest superzooms and probably the smallest with GPS.

I also read that the 7S7 has improved image stabilization and AVCHD movie recording helps cut down on the size of your high def movies.

dmczs7

(2:05 AM, March 14, 2010)

The Lumix has GPS support!

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Panasonic LumixDMC-ZS7 vs Sony Cyber-shotDSC-HX5

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX5

Reasons to buy the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX5

Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS7

Reasons to buy the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS7

recommendations

Relative to the best recent travel zooms, and ignoring price

differences

Advantages of the Panasonic DMC-ZS7

Advantages of the Sony DSC-HX5

recommendations

Relative to the best recent travel zooms, and ignoring price

advice

Need help deciding?

Are you a camera expert? Share your knowledge!

similarities

Compared to recent compacts

Compared to recent travel zooms

competitors

Shared Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS10

Panasonic Lumix ZS20

Sony Cybershot DSC-HX9v

Canon ELPH 300 HS

Canon PowerShot SX220 HS

Canon Powershot S100

Canon PowerShot S95

Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS7 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8

Panasonic Lumix ZS15

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX5v

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5

Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX5 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

Sony Cybershot H70

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX7v

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX10V

appearance

discussion

Showing 3 comments

Panasonic Lumix
DMC-ZS7
vs
Sony Cyber-shot
DSC-HX5