Size and weight are big decision factors when you are trying to find the ideal camera for your needs.
In this section, we are going to illustrate the Sony a5100 and Panasonic ZS70 side-by-side from the front, back and top in their relative dimensions. Sony a5100 has external dimensions of 110 x 63 x 36 mm (4.33 x 2.48 x 1.42″) and weighs 283 g (0.62 lb / 9.98 oz) (including batteries). Panasonic ZS70 has external dimensions of 112 x 67 x 41 mm (4.41 x 2.64 x 1.61″) and weighs 322 g (0.71 lb / 11.36 oz) (including batteries).
Below you can see the front-view size comparison of the Sony a5100 and the Panasonic ZS70. Sony a5100 is clearly the smaller of the two cameras. Its body is 2mm narrower, 4mm shorter and 5mm thinner than Panasonic ZS70. As you can tell, actually this is not a fair size comparison since Panasonic ZS70 has a built-in lens but Sony a5100 doesn't. Once you put a lens on a5100, its thickness will increase significantly.
Here is the back view size comparison of the Sony a5100 and Panasonic ZS70.
Now lets look at the top view comparison of Sony a5100 and Panasonic ZS70.
Weight is another important factor, especially when deciding on a camera that you want to carry with you all day.
Sony a5100 is 39g lighter than the Panasonic ZS70 but we don't think this will make a significant difference.
Again, this comparison may not be very useful in real life as we are comparing the weight of a camera with a built-in lens to the body-only weight of an interchangeable lens camera. Once you put a lens on a5100, the total kit will weigh much higher.
Weather Sealing
Unfortunately neither the Sony Alpha a5100 nor Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS70 (Lumix DC-TZ90) provides any type of weather sealing in their bodies, so you have to give extra care especially when you are shooting outdoors. If weather sealing is a must-have feature for you, check these sections: Top Mirrorless Cameras with Weather Sealing Top Compact Cameras with Weather Sealing
LCD Screen Size and Features
Sony a5100 and Panasonic ZS70's LCD screens have the same diagonal size of 3.00 inches.
Both cameras feature
Tilting screens where you can change the angle of the screen to make it easier to shoot from waist or over-the-head levels.