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Panasonic ZS5 Review

  • Overview
  • Alternatives
  • Panasonic ZS5

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    Main Features

    • 12MP - 1/2.3-inch CCD Sensor
    • ISO 80 - 6400
    • 25-300 mm F3.3-4.9 Zoom Lens
    • Optical Image Stabilization
    • 2.7" Fixed Type Screen
    • 2 fps continuous shooting
    • HD - 1280 x 720 video
    • 214g. 103 x 60 x 32 mm
    • Also known as Lumix DMC-TZ8
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    Panasonic ZS5 Overview

    First introduced in June 2010 , Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5 is a 12.0MP Small Sensor Superzoom camera with a 1/2.3-inch (6.08 x 4.56 mm ) sized CCD sensor, built-in Image Stabilization and 25-300 mm F3.3-4.9 lens. ZS5 is also sold as Lumix DMC-TZ8 in some of the countries.

    Panasonic ZS5 Review - Click for Table of Contents

    1. Overview
    2. Pros and Cons
    3. Sensor and Photography Features
    4. Physical Specs
    5. LCD and Viewfinder
    6. Connectivity, Storage and Battery
    7. Video
    8. Other Features
    9. Lens
    10. Photography Type Scores
    11. Alternatives
    12. Popular Comparisons
    13. Frequently Asked Questions
    14. Detailed Specifications

    Panasonic ZS5 has an Overall Score of 35/100 and ranked #328 out of 629 in Compact cameras (Top 10 Compact), and ranked #926 out of 1223 in all Cameras (Top 10 Overall).

    Main Scores
    Imaging
    Features
    Value for Money
    Portability
    Overall Score
    Check our Smart Finder Tool to filter, sort and compare all digital cameras.



    Panasonic ZS5 Physical Specs
    Panasonic ZS5 weighs 214 g (0.47 lb / 7.55 oz) and has external dimensions of 103 x 60 x 32 mm (4.06 x 2.36 x 1.26″). Considering that the average weight of Compact type cameras is 188g, its weight is about average in its class. With a thickness of 32mm, it also has an average thickness.
    Weight Comparison

    Compact Cameras

    Panasonic ZS5
    Min
    Average
    Max
    Thickness Comparison

    Compact Cameras

    Panasonic ZS5
    Min
    Average
    Max

    Here is the front and top view image of Panasonic ZS5 with the dimensions:

    Panasonic ZS5 Body Size Dimensions
    Front and Top View External Dimensions and Size of Panasonic ZS5 Camera Body

    In order to give you a better idea about the real life size of Panasonic ZS5, we have added an image of how it looks next to a credit card and an AA type battery.


    Panasonic ZS5 Body Size Compared to a Credit card and a Battery
    Physical size of the Panasonic ZS5 Body Compared to a Credit Card and an AA Battery


    Below you can find the comparison of the weight and thickness of Panasonic ZS5 with its main competitors:

    Panasonic ZS5 Size Compared to Main Competitors
    Model Weight vs ZS5 Thickness vs ZS5
    Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5 Camera Panasonic ZS100
    Compare
    312g 98g heavier 44mm 12mm thicker
    Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5 Camera Panasonic ZS3
    Compare
    229g 15g heavier 33mm 1mm thicker
    Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5 Camera Panasonic ZS25
    Compare
    193g 21g lighter 28mm 4mm thinner
    Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5 Camera Panasonic ZS50
    Compare
    243g 29g heavier 34mm 2mm thicker
    Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5 Camera Olympus TG-5
    Compare
    250g 36g heavier 32mm equal thickness
    Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5 Camera Panasonic ZS40
    Compare
    240g 26g heavier 34mm 2mm thicker
    Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5 Camera Panasonic ZS30
    Compare
    198g 16g lighter 28mm 4mm thinner
    Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5 Camera Canon SX220 HS
    Compare
    g 214g lighter 33mm 1mm thicker

    Weather Sealing

    Panasonic ZS5 doesn't have any environmental sealings on its body so you got to be extra careful to protect it against water and dust. If you shoot under these conditions very often, consider checking Top Compact Cameras with Weather Sealing page.

    Panasonic ZS5 Sensor and Photography Features

    Panasonic ZS5 has a 12.0MP 1/2.3-inch (6.08 x 4.56 mm ) sized CCD sensor and features Venus Engine HD II processor. You can shoot at maximum resolution of 4000 x 3000 pixels with aspect ratios of 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9. ZS5 has a native ISO range of 80 - 6400 but unfortunately, Panasonic ZS5 doesn't have RAW file support. If you need a Compact camera with a RAW support, consider Nikon Coolpix P7000 or Olympus XZ-1 in the same price range.

    Panasonic ZS5 is not the highest resolution Small Sensor camera. Kodak Astro Zoom AZ651 with its 21.0MP sensor is leading in this class. Check the comparison of Panasonic ZS5 vs Kodak Astro Zoom AZ651 or take a look at Highest resolution Compact cameras list.

    Let's look at how the size of the Panasonic ZS5's 1/2.3-inch sensor compares with other standard sensor sizes.

    Panasonic ZS5 Sensor Size Comparison
    Comparison image of Panasonic ZS5 Sensor Size with other standard sensors

    Panasonic ZS5 Lens

    Panasonic ZS5 features a 25-300 mm F3.3-4.9 12× zoom lens. Lens has a good wide angle capability starting at 25mm and remarkable super telephoto reach at 300mm.

    Wide Coverage

    Compact Cameras

    ZS5
    Widest - Ricoh WG-M1
    Average
    Telezoom

    Compact Cameras

    ZS5
    Longest - Canon SX520 HS
    Average

    With a max aperture of f3.30 at 25mm, we can not consider this lens fast on wide end and neither at tele end with its f4.90.

    Max Aperture at Wide

    Compact Cameras

    ZS5
    Fastest - Leica D-Lux 6
    Average
    Max Aperture at Tele

    Compact Cameras

    ZS5
    Fastest - Ricoh GR Digital IV
    Average

    ZS5 is also equipped with Optical image stabilization system which is very handy especially at lower shutter speeds.



    Panasonic ZS5 LCD

    Panasonic ZS5 has a Fixed Type 2.7" LCD screen with a resolution of 230k dots. At only 2.7", the screen is on the smaller side and 230kdot resolution is lower than most of the recent models in this class.



    Panasonic ZS5 back view and LCD

    ZS5 doesn't have a viewfinder and no option for external viewfinder. Lack of a viewfinder can be problematic especially under strong light where visibility of LCD screens goes down dramatically. If you need a Compact camera with a built-in viewfinder in a similar price range, consider Nikon Coolpix P7000 (Compare) or Canon PowerShot G11 (Compare).
    If the price is not an issue, take a look at our Top Rated Cameras with Viewfinders.

    Panasonic ZS5 Connectivity, Storage and Battery

    Panasonic ZS5 has a USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) port to connect your camera to other devices.

    Panasonic ZS5 Features Compared to Main Competitors
    Model Max Video Battery Life Wi-fi Bluetooth NFC
    Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5 Camera Panasonic ZS100
    Compare
    3840 x 2160 300shots Yes No No
    Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5 Camera Panasonic ZS3
    Compare
    1280 x 720 shots No No No
    Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5 Camera Panasonic ZS25
    Compare
    1920 x 1080 260shots No No No
    Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5 Camera Panasonic ZS50
    Compare
    1920 x 1080 300shots Yes No Yes
    Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5 Camera Olympus TG-5
    Compare
    3840 x 2160 340shots Yes No No
    Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5 Camera Panasonic ZS40
    Compare
    1920 x 1080 300shots Yes No Yes
    Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5 Camera Panasonic ZS30
    Compare
    1920 x 1080 260shots Yes No No
    Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5 Camera Canon SX220 HS
    Compare
    1920 x 1080 210shots No No No

    Panasonic ZS5 Video Features

    With Panasonic ZS5, you can record your videos at a highest resolution of 1280 x 720 at 30 fps and save in and Motion JPEG formats. 1280 x 720 is a low video resolution by todays standards. If video quality is important for you, we recommend you to look at cameras with Full HD, even better 4K / Ultra-HD resolution .

    ZS5 has a built-in Mono microphone but no speaker.
    Panasonic ZS5 doesn't have any connections for external microphones and headphones. If you need a Compact camera with external microphone connectivity, consider Nikon Coolpix P7000 or Samsung PL120 in a similar price range.

    Panasonic ZS5 Other Features

    Max Shutter speed

    Panasonic ZS5 can shoot continuously at max speed of 2 fps and has max shutter speed of 1/1300 sec.

    Flash

    Unfortunately ZS5 doesn't have an external flash shoe so you are limited with the built-in flash.

    Focusing

    Panasonic ZS5 features a Contrast Detection autofocusing system. The AF system has 11 points to choose from.

    Panasonic ZS5 also features Face detection AF where it intelligently detects the faces in the frame and locks the focus automatically.

    Panasonic ZS5 PROs and CONs Review

    Now let's get in to more details of our Panasonic ZS5 review by analysing its specs and features and listing out its pros and cons compared to average competitor cameras in its class.

    PROs
    Image Stabilization
    Face Detection Focusing
    11 Focus Points
    214g Light Body
    Manual Exposure
    25mm Wide Angle Lens
    300mm Good Tele Lens
    12.0X Optical Zoom
    AE Bracketing
    Report a correction

    Buy Panasonic ZS5 from AMAZON or B&H PHOTO


    CONs
    No Wireless Connection
    No Articulating Screen
    No External Flash Shoe
    No Full HD Video
    No Touch Screen
    No Built-in Viewfinder
    No RAW Shooting
    Low Resolution Sensor: 12.0MP
    Small LCD Screen ( 2.7")
    Low Screen Resolution ( 230kdots )
    1/1300s Low Max Shutter Speed
    Slow Continuous Shooting: 2.0fps
    No Manual Focusing
    No Environmental Sealing
    Slow Lens at Wide: f3.30
    Slow Lens at Tele: f4.90
    Report a correction
    What type of Photography is Panasonic ZS5 Good for?
    In this section, we review and score Panasonic ZS5 in 5 different photography areas.

    Panasonic ZS5 for Portrait Photography

    Panasonic ZS5 has a score of 22 for Portrait Photography which makes it a POOR candidate for this type of photography. If Portrait We strongly recommend you to check our Top Compact Cameras for Portrait Photography list and consider these alternatives over theZS5.
    Image Stabilization
    Manual Exposure Mode
    Average Resolution Sensor: 12.0MP
    Small 1/2.33" (6.08 x 4.56 mm) sensor
    No RAW shooting capability
    No External Flash Shoe
    No Built-in Viewfinder
    No Manual Focus Mode
    Not so good Ergonomics&Handling

    Read the details of how we scored Panasonic ZS5 for Portrait Photography

    Panasonic ZS5 for Street Photography

    Panasonic ZS5 has a score of 54 for Street Photography which makes it an AVERAGE candidate for this type of photography. If Street is important for you, we recommend you to check our Top Compact Cameras for Street Photography list.
    Live-view
    Face-Detection Focusing
    Image Stabilization
    25 mm - Good Wide Angle Coverage
    Small Body
    No Built-in Viewfinder
    No Manual Focus Mode
    No RAW shooting capability
    Small 1/2.33" (6.08 x 4.56 mm) sensor

    Read the details of how we scored Panasonic ZS5 for Street Photography

    Panasonic ZS5 for Sports Photography

    Panasonic ZS5 has a score of 19 for Sports Photography which makes it a POOR candidate for this type of photography. If Sports We strongly recommend you to check our Top Compact Cameras for Sports Photography list and consider these alternatives over theZS5.
    11 Focus Points
    Manual Exposure Mode
    Image Stabilization
    300 mm Tele Lens
    Slow Continuous Shooting: 2.0fps
    Environmental Sealings
    Slow Max shutter speed: 1/1300s
    Not so good Ergonomics&Handling
    No Manual Focus Mode
    No Built-in Viewfinder
    No External Flash Shoe
    No RAW shooting capability

    Read the details of how we scored Panasonic ZS5 for Sports Photography

    Panasonic ZS5 for Daily Photography

    Panasonic ZS5 has a score of 61 for Daily Photography which makes it a GOOD candidate for this type of photography. If you are looking for a camera that is better suited to Daily Photography, we recommend you to check our Top 10 Compact Cameras for Daily Photography list.
    Compact Body
    214g
    12.0X Optical Zoom
    Small 1/2.33" (6.08 x 4.56 mm) sensor
    No RAW shooting capability

    Read the details of how we scored Panasonic ZS5 for Daily Photography

    Panasonic ZS5 for Landscape Photography

    Panasonic ZS5 has a score of 20 for Landscape Photography which makes it a POOR candidate for this type of photography. If Landscape We strongly recommend you to check our Top Compact Cameras for Landscape Photography list and consider these alternatives over theZS5.
    Manual Exposure Mode
    25 mm - Good Wide Angle Coverage
    Average Resolution Sensor: 12.0MP
    No Manual Focus Mode
    No RAW shooting capability
    Small 1/2.33" (6.08 x 4.56 mm) sensor
    No Environmental Sealings

    Read the details of how we scored Panasonic ZS5 for Landscape Photography
    Panasonic ZS5 Alternatives
    In this section, we analyse how Panasonic ZS5 compares with other Compact cameras within a similar price range.
    Read a more detailed analysis of Panasonic ZS5 alternatives.

    Popular Comparisons of Panasonic ZS5

    Here is the eight most popular comparisons of Panasonic ZS5 amongst Camera Decision readers.

    Panasonic ZS100
    Panasonic ZS100
    Compare
    Panasonic ZS3
    Panasonic ZS3
    Compare
    Panasonic ZS25
    Panasonic ZS25
    Compare
    Panasonic ZS50
    Panasonic ZS50
    Compare
    Olympus TG-5
    Olympus TG-5
    Compare
    Panasonic ZS40
    Panasonic ZS40
    Compare
    Panasonic ZS30
    Panasonic ZS30
    Compare
    Canon SX220 HS
    Canon SX220 HS
    Compare

    Panasonic ZS5 Alternatives in Cameras

    It would also be interesting to compare Panasonic ZS5 with Cameras. Below we have listed 4 highest ranked cameras in Panasonic ZS5's price range.

    Frequently Asked Questions about Panasonic ZS5
    Does the Panasonic ZS5 have Image Stabilization?
    Does the Panasonic ZS5 have RAW support?
    Does the Panasonic ZS5 have Weather Sealing?
    Does the Panasonic ZS5 have built-in GPS?
    What is the Max ISO of Panasonic ZS5?
    What is the Sensor Size of Panasonic ZS5?
    is the Panasonic ZS5 a Full Frame (FF) camera?
    Does the Panasonic ZS5 have Touch Screen?
    Does the Panasonic ZS5 have built-in Wireless?
    What is the Max Continuous Shooting Speed (fps) of Panasonic ZS5?
    What is the Weight of Panasonic ZS5?
    What are the Dimensions of Panasonic ZS5?
    Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5 Detailed Specifications

    General
    Brand Panasonic
    Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5
    Also known as Lumix DMC-TZ8
    Announced 2010-06-16
    Body Type Compact
    Lens
    Manual Focus
    Lens Mount fixed lens
    Lens Focal Range 25-300 mm (12×)
    Max Aperture F3.3-4.9
    Macro Focus Range 3cm
    Screen
    Screen Type Fixed Type
    Screen Size 2.7"
    Screen Resolution 230k dots
    Live View
    Touch Screen
    Viewfinder
    Viewfinder None
    Viewfinder Resolution no electronic viewfinder
    Viewfinder Coverage n/a
    Viewfinder Magnification n/a
    Photography Features
    Min Shutter Speed 60s
    Max Mechanical Shutter Speed 1/1300s
    Continuous Shooting 2.0 fps
    Shutter Priority
    Aperture Priority
    Manual Exposure Mode
    Exposure Compensation Yes
    Custom White Balance
    Image Stabilization
    Built-in Flash
    Flash Range 5.30 m
    Flash Modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
    External Flash
    AE Bracketing
    WB Bracketing
    Exposure Modes
    Multi-Segment
    Average
    Spot
    Partial
    AF-Area
    Center Weighted
    DxO Sensor Scores
    DxO Overall Score not tested
    DxO Color Depth not tested
    DxO Dynamic Range not tested
    DxO Low Light ISO not tested
    Report a correction

    Sensor
    Sensor Type CCD
    Sensor Size 1/2.3-inch
    Sensor Dimensions 6.08 x 4.56 mm
    Sensor Area 27.72mm2
    Sensor Resolution 12 megapixels
    Max Image Resolution 4000 x 3000
    Max Native ISO 6,400
    Min Native ISO 80
    RAW Support
    Autofocus
    AF Touch
    AF Continuous
    AF Single
    AF Tracking
    AF Selective
    AF Center
    AF Multi Area
    AF Live View
    AF Face Detection
    AF Contrast Detection
    AF Phase Detection
    Number of Focus Points 11
    Number of Cross Focus Points Unknown
    Video Features
    Video Resolutions 1280 x 720 (30fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
    Max Video Resolution 1280 x 720
    Video Formats Motion JPEG
    Microphone Port
    Headphone Port
    Connectivity
    Wireless Connectivity None
    HDMI
    USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
    Physical
    Environmental Sealing
    Water Proof
    Dust Proof
    Shock Proof
    Crush Proof
    Freeze Proof
    Weight 214g
    Physical Dimensions 103 x 60 x 32mm
    Other Features
    Self Timer Yes (2 or 10 sec)
    Timelapse Recording
    GPS None
    Storage Type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
    Storage Slots 1


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