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 Panasonic SZ5 and Panasonic GF7 side-by-side from the front, back and top in their relative dimensions. Panasonic SZ5 has external dimensions of 104 x 58 x 21 mm (4.09 x 2.28 x 0.83″) and weighs 136 g (0.30 lb / 4.80 oz) (including batteries). Panasonic GF7 has external dimensions of 107 x 65 x 33 mm (4.21 x 2.56 x 1.3″) and weighs 266 g (0.59 lb / 9.38 oz) (including batteries).
Below you can see the front-view size comparison of the Panasonic SZ5 and the Panasonic GF7. Panasonic SZ5 is clearly the smaller of the two cameras. Its body is 3mm narrower, 7mm shorter and 12mm thinner than Panasonic GF7. As you can tell, actually this is not a fair size comparison since Panasonic SZ5 has a built-in lens but Panasonic GF7 doesn't. Once you put a lens on GF7, its thickness will increase significantly.
Here is the back view size comparison of the Panasonic SZ5 and Panasonic GF7.
Now lets look at the top view comparison of Panasonic SZ5 and Panasonic GF7.
Weight is another important factor, especially when deciding on a camera that you want to carry with you all day.
Panasonic SZ5 is significantly lighter (130g ) than the Panasonic GF7 which may become a big advantage especially on long walking trips.
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 GF7, the total kit will weigh much higher.
Weather Sealing
Unfortunately neither the Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5 nor Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF7 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 Compact Cameras with Weather Sealing Top Mirrorless Cameras with Weather Sealing
LCD Screen Size and Features
Panasonic SZ5 and Panasonic GF7's LCD screens have the same diagonal size of 3.00 inches.
On the other hand, Panasonic GF7 features a
Tilting screen where you can change the angle of the screen to make it easier to shoot from waist or over-the-head levels whereas the Panasonic SZ5 has a fixed type screen which provides less flexibility in shooting positions compared to GF7.