Panasonic LX5 vs Sony A99
The Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5 and the Sony Alpha SLT-A99 are two digital cameras that were officially introduced, respectively, in July 2010 and September 2012. The LX5 is a fixed lens compact, while the A99 is a DSLR. The cameras are based on a 1/1.7-inch (LX5) and a full frame (A99) sensor. The Panasonic has a resolution of 10 megapixels, whereas the Sony provides 24 MP.
Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.
Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5 and the Sony Alpha SLT-A99? Which one should you buy? Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their body size, their imaging sensors, their shooting features, their input-output connections, and their reception by expert reviewers.
Body comparison
The physical size and weight of the Panasonic LX5 and the Sony A99 are illustrated in the side-by-side display below. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three successive views from the front, the top, and the rear are shown. All width, height and depth dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.
The LX5 can be obtained in two different colors (black, white), while the A99 is only available in black.
If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Sony A99 is considerably larger (128 percent) than the Panasonic LX5. It is noteworthy in this context that the A99 is splash and dust-proof, while the LX5 does not feature any corresponding weather-sealing.
The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete and possibly misleading, as the LX5 has a lens built in, whereas the A99 is an interchangeable lens camera that requires a separate lens. Attaching the latter will add extra weight and bulk to the setup.
Concerning battery life, the LX5 gets 400 shots out of its Panasonic DMW-BCJ13 battery, while the A99 can take 500 images on a single charge of its Sony NP-FM500H power pack.
The adjacent table lists the principal physical characteristics of the two cameras alongside a wider set of alternatives. If you would like to visualize and compare a different camera combination, you can navigate to the CAM-parator app and make your selection from a broad list of cameras there.
# | Camera Model |
Camera Width |
Camera Height |
Camera Depth |
Camera Weight |
Battery Life |
Weather Sealing |
Camera Launch |
Launch Price (USD) |
Street Price |
|
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Panasonic LX5 | 110 mm | 65 mm | 43 mm | 271 g | 400 | n | Jul 2010 | 499 | ebay.com | |
2. | Sony A99 | 147 mm | 111 mm | 78 mm | 812 g | 500 | Y | Sep 2012 | 2,799 | ebay.com | |
3. | Canon G12 | 112 mm | 76 mm | 48 mm | 401 g | 370 | n | Sep 2010 | 499 | ebay.com | |
4. | Fujifilm X10 | 117 mm | 70 mm | 57 mm | 350 g | 270 | n | Sep 2011 | 599 | ebay.com | |
5. | Leica D-LUX 5 | 110 mm | 65 mm | 43 mm | 271 g | 400 | n | Sep 2010 | 699 | ebay.com | |
6. | Olympus XZ-1 | 111 mm | 65 mm | 42 mm | 275 g | 320 | n | Jan 2011 | 499 | ebay.com | |
7. | Panasonic ZS70 | 112 mm | 67 mm | 41 mm | 322 g | 380 | n | Apr 2017 | 449 | ebay.com | |
8. | Panasonic FZ200 | 125 mm | 87 mm | 110 mm | 588 g | 540 | n | Jul 2012 | 599 | ebay.com | |
9. | Panasonic LX7 | 111 mm | 68 mm | 46 mm | 298 g | 330 | n | Jul 2012 | 499 | ebay.com | |
10. | Panasonic FZ150 | 124 mm | 82 mm | 92 mm | 528 g | 410 | n | Aug 2011 | 499 | ebay.com | |
11. | Panasonic GF3 | 108 mm | 67 mm | 32 mm | 264 g | 300 | n | Jun 2011 | 549 | ebay.com | |
12. | Panasonic GF2 | 113 mm | 68 mm | 33 mm | 310 g | 300 | n | Nov 2010 | 549 | ebay.com | |
13. | Sony A9 II | 129 mm | 96 mm | 76 mm | 678 g | 690 | Y | Oct 2019 | 4,499 | amazon.com | |
14. | Sony A99 II | 143 mm | 104 mm | 76 mm | 849 g | 490 | Y | Sep 2016 | 3,199 | ebay.com | |
15. | Sony A77 | 143 mm | 104 mm | 81 mm | 732 g | 470 | Y | Aug 2011 | 1,399 | ebay.com | |
16. | Sony A850 | 156 mm | 117 mm | 82 mm | 895 g | 880 | Y | Aug 2009 | 1,999 | ebay.com | |
17. | Sony A900 | 156 mm | 117 mm | 82 mm | 895 g | 880 | Y | Sep 2008 | 2,999 | ebay.com | |
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders. | |||||||||||
The price is, of course, an important factor in any camera decision. The retail prices at the time of the camera’s release place the model in the market relative to other models in the producer’s line-up and the competition. The LX5 was launched at a lower price than the A99, despite having a lens built in. Normally, street prices remain initially close to the MSRP, but after a couple of months, the first discounts appear. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down.
Sensor comparison
The size of the imaging sensor is a crucial determinant of image quality. All other things equal, a large sensor will have larger individual pixel-units that offer better low-light sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and richer color-depth than smaller pixels in a sensor of the same technological generation. Moreover, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more control over depth-of-field in the image and, thus, the ability to better isolate a subject from the background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be associated with larger, more expensive camera bodies and lenses.
Of the two cameras under consideration, the Panasonic LX5 features a 1/1.7-inch sensor and the Sony A99 a full frame sensor. The sensor area in the A99 is 1752 percent bigger. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have a format factor of, respectively, 4.4 and 1.0. The sensor in the LX5 has a native 4:3 aspect ratio, while the one in the A99 offers a 3:2 aspect. The LX5 has the particularity of featuring a switch that allows to toggle between multiple aspect ratios, while maintaining the same field of view and full image resolution.
With 24MP, the A99 offers a higher resolution than the LX5 (10MP), but the A99 nevertheless has larger individual pixels (pixel pitch of 5.96μm versus 2.14μm for the LX5) due to its larger sensor. Moreover, the A99 is a much more recent model (by 2 years and 1 month) than the LX5, and its sensor will have benefitted from technological advances during this time that further enhance the light gathering capacity of its pixel-units.
The resolution advantage of the Sony A99 implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the A99 for good quality output (200 dots per inch) amounts to 30 x 20 inches or 76.2 x 50.8 cm, for very good quality (250 dpi) 24 x 16 inches or 61 x 40.6 cm, and for excellent quality (300 dpi) 20 x 13.3 inches or 50.8 x 33.9 cm. The corresponding values for the Panasonic LX5 are 18.2 x 13.7 inches or 46.3 x 34.7 cm for good quality, 14.6 x 10.9 inches or 37.1 x 27.8 cm for very good quality, and 12.2 x 9.1 inches or 30.9 x 23.2 cm for excellent quality prints.
The Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5 has a native sensitivity range from ISO 80 to ISO 3200, which can be extended to ISO 80-12800. The corresponding ISO settings for the Sony Alpha SLT-A99 are ISO 100 to ISO 25600, with the possibility to increase the ISO range to 50-25600.
In terms of underlying technology, the LX5 is build around a CCD sensor, while the A99 uses a CMOS imager. Both cameras use a Bayer filter for capturing RGB colors on a square grid of photosensors. This arrangement is found in most digital cameras.
For many cameras, data on sensor performance has been reported by DXO Mark. This service determines an overall sensor rating, as well as sub-scores for low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and color depth ("DXO Portrait"). Of the two cameras under consideration, the A99 offers substantially better image quality than the LX5 (overall score 48 points higher). The advantage is based on 5.4 bits higher color depth, 3.2 EV in additional dynamic range, and 3.6 stops in additional low light sensitivity. The table below summarizes the physical sensor characteristics and sensor quality findings and compares them across a set of similar cameras.
# | Camera Model |
Sensor Class |
Resolution (MP) |
Horiz. Pixels |
Vert. Pixels |
Video Format |
DXO Portrait |
DXO Landscape |
DXO Sports |
DXO Overall |
|
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Panasonic LX5 | 1/1.7 | 10.0 | 3648 | 2736 | 720/60p | 19.6 | 10.8 | 132 | 41 | |
2. | Sony A99 | Full Frame | 24.0 | 6000 | 4000 | 1080/60p | 25.0 | 14.0 | 1555 | 89 | |
3. | Canon G12 | 1/1.7 | 10.0 | 3648 | 2736 | 720/24p | 20.4 | 11.2 | 161 | 47 | |
4. | Fujifilm X10 | 2/3 | 12.0 | 4000 | 3000 | 1080/30p | 20.5 | 11.3 | 245 | 50 | |
5. | Leica D-LUX 5 | 1/1.7 | 10.0 | 3648 | 2736 | 720/60p | 19.5 | 10.4 | -583 | 39 | |
6. | Olympus XZ-1 | 1/1.7 | 10.1 | 3664 | 2752 | 720/30p | 18.8 | 10.4 | 117 | 34 | |
7. | Panasonic ZS70 | 1/2.3 | 20.2 | 5184 | 3888 | 4K/30p | 19.1 | 10.6 | 106 | 36 | |
8. | Panasonic FZ200 | 1/2.3 | 12.0 | 4000 | 3000 | 1080/60p | 19.1 | 10.8 | 114 | 37 | |
9. | Panasonic LX7 | 1/1.7 | 10.0 | 3648 | 2736 | 1080/60p | 20.7 | 11.7 | 147 | 50 | |
10. | Panasonic FZ150 | 1/2.3 | 12.0 | 4000 | 3000 | 1080/60p | 19.4 | 10.9 | 132 | 40 | |
11. | Panasonic GF3 | Four Thirds | 12.0 | 4000 | 3000 | 1080/60i | 20.6 | 10.1 | 459 | 50 | |
12. | Panasonic GF2 | Four Thirds | 12.0 | 4000 | 3000 | 1080/60i | 21.2 | 10.3 | 506 | 54 | |
13. | Sony A9 II | Full Frame | 24.0 | 6000 | 4000 | 4K/30p | 25.0 | 14.0 | 3434 | 93 | |
14. | Sony A99 II | Full Frame | 42.2 | 7952 | 5304 | 4K/30p | 25.4 | 13.4 | 2317 | 92 | |
15. | Sony A77 | APS-C | 24.0 | 6000 | 4000 | 1080/60p | 24.0 | 13.2 | 801 | 78 | |
16. | Sony A850 | Full Frame | 24.4 | 6048 | 4032 | none | 23.8 | 12.2 | 1415 | 79 | |
17. | Sony A900 | Full Frame | 24.4 | 6048 | 4032 | none | 23.7 | 12.3 | 1431 | 79 | |
Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age. |
Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but also of capturing video footage. The two cameras under consideration both have sensors whose read-out speed is fast enough to capture moving pictures, but the A99 provides a better video resolution than the LX5. It can shoot movie footage at 1080/60p, while the Panasonic is limited to 720/60p.
Feature comparison
Beyond body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. For example, the A99 has an electronic viewfinder (2359k dots), which can be very helpful when shooting in bright sunlight. In contrast, the LX5 relies on live view and the rear LCD for framing. That said, the LX5 can be equipped with an optional viewfinder – the DMW-LVF1. The adjacent table lists some of the other core features of the Panasonic LX5 and Sony A99 along with similar information for a selection of comparators.
# | Camera Model |
Viewfinder (Type or 000 dots) |
Control Panel (yes/no) |
LCD Specifications (inch/000 dots) |
LCD Attach- ment |
Touch Screen (yes/no) |
Max Shutter Speed * |
Max Shutter Flaps * |
Built-in Flash (yes/no) |
Built-in Image Stab |
|
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Panasonic LX5 | optional | n | 3.0 / 460 | fixed | n | 1/4000s | 2.5/s | Y | Y | |
2. | Sony A99 | 2359 | Y | 3.0 / 1229 | full-flex | n | 1/8000s | 6.0/s | n | Y | |
3. | Canon G12 | optical | n | 2.8 / 461 | swivel | n | 1/4000s | 1.1/s | Y | Y | |
4. | Fujifilm X10 | optical | n | 2.8 / 460 | fixed | n | 1/4000s | 10.0/s | Y | Y | |
5. | Leica D-LUX 5 | optional | n | 3.0 / 460 | fixed | n | 1/4000s | 2.5/s | Y | Y | |
6. | Olympus XZ-1 | optional | n | 3.0 / 614 | fixed | n | 1/2000s | 2.0/s | Y | Y | |
7. | Panasonic ZS70 | 1166 | n | 3.0 / 1040 | tilting | Y | 1/2000s | 10.0/s | Y | Y | |
8. | Panasonic FZ200 | 1312 | n | 3.0 / 460 | swivel | n | 1/4000s | 12.0/s | Y | Y | |
9. | Panasonic LX7 | optional | n | 3.0 / 920 | fixed | n | 1/4000s | 11.0/s | Y | Y | |
10. | Panasonic FZ150 | 202 | n | 3.0 / 460 | swivel | n | 1/2000s | 12.0/s | Y | Y | |
11. | Panasonic GF3 | none | n | 3.0 / 460 | fixed | Y | 1/4000s | 3.2/s | Y | n | |
12. | Panasonic GF2 | optional | n | 3.0 / 460 | fixed | Y | 1/4000s | 2.6/s | Y | n | |
13. | Sony A9 II | 3686 | n | 3.0 / 1440 | tilting | Y | 1/8000s | 20.0/s | n | Y | |
14. | Sony A99 II | 2400 | Y | 3.0 / 1229 | full-flex | n | 1/8000s | 12.0/s | n | Y | |
15. | Sony A77 | 2359 | Y | 3.0 / 921 | full-flex | n | 1/8000s | 12.0/s | Y | Y | |
16. | Sony A850 | optical | Y | 3.0 / 922 | fixed | n | 1/8000s | 3.0/s | n | Y | |
17. | Sony A900 | optical | Y | 3.0 / 922 | fixed | n | 1/8000s | 5.0/s | n | Y | |
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one. |
One difference between the cameras concerns the presence of an on-board flash. The LX5 has one, while the A99 does not. While the built-in flash of the LX5 is not very powerful, it can at times be useful as a fill-in light.
The A99 has an articulated screen that can be turned to be front-facing. This characteristic will be appreciated by vloggers and photographers who are interested in taking selfies. In contrast, the LX5 does not have a selfie-screen.The LX5 writes its imaging data to SDXC cards, while the A99 uses SDXC or Memory Stick PRO Duo cards. The A99 features dual card slots, which can be very useful in case a memory card fails. In contrast, the LX5 only has one slot. The A99 supports UHS-I cards (Ultra High Speed data transfer of up to 104 MB/s), while the LX5 cannot take advantage of Ultra High Speed SD cards.
Connectivity comparison
For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5 and Sony Alpha SLT-A99 and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.
# | Camera Model |
Hotshoe Port |
Internal Mic / Speaker |
Microphone Port |
Headphone Port |
HDMI Port |
USB Port |
WiFi Support |
NFC Support |
Bluetooth Support |
|
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Panasonic LX5 | Y | mono / mono | - | - | mini | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
2. | Sony A99 | Y | stereo / mono | Y | Y | mini | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
3. | Canon G12 | Y | stereo / mono | - | - | mini | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
4. | Fujifilm X10 | Y | stereo / mono | - | - | mini | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
5. | Leica D-LUX 5 | Y | mono / mono | - | - | mini | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
6. | Olympus XZ-1 | Y | mono / - | - | - | mini | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
7. | Panasonic ZS70 | - | stereo / mono | - | - | micro | 2.0 | Y | - | - | |
8. | Panasonic FZ200 | Y | stereo / mono | Y | - | mini | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
9. | Panasonic LX7 | Y | stereo / mono | - | - | mini | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
10. | Panasonic FZ150 | Y | stereo / - | - | - | mini | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
11. | Panasonic GF3 | - | stereo / mono | - | - | mini | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
12. | Panasonic GF2 | Y | stereo / mono | - | - | mini | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
13. | Sony A9 II | Y | stereo / mono | Y | Y | micro | 3.1 | Y | Y | Y | |
14. | Sony A99 II | Y | stereo / mono | Y | Y | micro | 2.0 | Y | Y | Y | |
15. | Sony A77 | Y | stereo / mono | Y | - | mini | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
16. | Sony A850 | Y | - / - | - | - | mini | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
17. | Sony A900 | Y | - / - | - | - | mini | 2.0 | - | - | - |
It is notable that the A99 has a microphone port, which can help to improve the quality of audio recordings by attaching an external microphone. The LX5 does not feature such a mic input.
Studio photographers will appreciate that the Sony A99 (unlike the LX5) features a PC Sync socket, so that professional strobe lights can be controlled by the camera.
Travel and landscape photographers will find it useful that the A99 has an internal geolocalization sensor and can record GPS coordinates in its EXIF data.
Both the LX5 and the A99 have been discontinued, but can regularly be found used on ebay. The LX5 was replaced by the Panasonic LX7, while the A99 was followed by the Sony A99. Further information on the features and operation of the LX5 and A99 can be found, respectively, in the Panasonic LX5 Manual (free pdf) or the online Sony A99 Manual.
Review summary
So how do things add up? Is there a clear favorite between the Panasonic LX5 and the Sony A99? Which camera is better? A synthesis of the relative strong points of each of the models is listed below.
Advantages of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5:
- Flexible image proportions: Has a multi-aspect sensor that allows for alternative image shapes.
- Ready to shoot: Comes with a built-in lens, while the A99 requires a separate lens.
- More compact: Is smaller (110x65mm vs 147x111mm) and thus needs less room in the bag.
- Less heavy: Is lighter even though it comes with a built-in lens (unlike the A99).
- Easier fill-in: Is equipped with a small onboard flash to brighten deep shadow areas.
- More affordable: Was introduced at a lower price, despite coming with a built-in lens.
- More heavily discounted: Has been available for much longer (launched in July 2010).
Arguments in favor of the Sony Alpha SLT-A99:
- More detail: Has more megapixels (24 vs 10MP), which boosts linear resolution by 58%.
- Better image quality: Scores substantially higher (48 points) in the DXO overall evaluation.
- Richer colors: Generates noticeably more natural colors (5.4 bits more color depth).
- More dynamic range: Captures a broader range of light and dark details (3.2 EV of extra DR).
- Better low-light sensitivity: Can shoot in dim conditions (3.6 stops ISO advantage).
- Better video: Provides higher definition movie capture (1080/60p vs 720/60p).
- Better sound: Can connect to an external microphone for higher quality sound recording.
- Better sound control: Has a headphone port that enables audio monitoring while recording.
- Easier framing: Has an electronic viewfinder for image composition and settings control.
- Easier setting verification: Features a control panel on top to check shooting parameters.
- More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (1229k vs 460k dots).
- More flexible LCD: Has a full-flex screen for odd-angle shots in portrait or landscape orientation.
- More selfie-friendly: Has an articulated screen that can be turned to be front-facing.
- Faster shutter: Has higher mechanical shutter speed (1/8000s vs 1/4000s) to freeze action.
- Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (6 vs 2.5 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
- More flexible: Makes it possible to change lenses and thus to use specialty optics.
- Longer lasting: Gets more shots (500 versus 400) out of a single battery charge.
- Better sealing: Is splash and dust sealed for shooting in inclement weather conditions.
- Easier geotagging: Features an internal GPS sensor to log localization data.
- Better studio light control: Has a PC Sync socket to connect to professional strobe lights.
- Greater peace of mind: Features a second card slot as a backup in case of memory card failure.
- Faster buffer clearing: Has an SD card interface that supports the UHS-I standard.
- More modern: Reflects 2 years and 1 month of technical progress since the LX5 launch.
If the count of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a measure, the A99 is the clear winner of the contest (23 : 7 points). However, the relevance of individual strengths will vary across photographers, so that you might want to apply your own weighing scheme to the summary points when reflecting and deciding on a new camera. A professional wildlife photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a family photog, and a person interested in architecture has distinct needs from a sports shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.
How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Panasonic LX5 and the Sony A99 place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best Travel-Zoom Camera and Best DSLR Camera listings whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.
In any case, while the comparison of technical specifications can provide a useful overview of the capabilities of different cameras, it says little about, for example, the shooting experience and imaging performance of the LX5 and the A99 in practical situations. User reviews that are available, for instance, at amazon can sometimes shed light on these issues, but such feedback is all too often partial, inconsistent, and inaccurate.
Expert reviews
This is where reviews by experts come in. The following table reports the overall ratings of the cameras as published by some of the major camera review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]). As can be seen, the professional reviewers agree in many cases on the quality of different cameras, but sometimes their assessments diverge, reinforcing the earlier point that a camera decision is often a very personal choice.
# | Camera Model |
AP score |
CL score |
DCW score |
DPR score |
EPZ score |
PB score |
Camera Launch |
Launch Price (USD) |
Street Price |
|
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Panasonic LX5 | 4/5 | + | .. | 73/100 | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | Jul 2010 | 499 | ebay.com | |
2. | Sony A99 | 5/5 | .. | .. | 84/100 | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | Sep 2012 | 2,799 | ebay.com | |
3. | Canon G12 | 4/5 | + | .. | 73/100 | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | Sep 2010 | 499 | ebay.com | |
4. | Fujifilm X10 | .. | .. | .. | 76/100 | 4/5 | 4.5/5 | Sep 2011 | 599 | ebay.com | |
5. | Leica D-LUX 5 | .. | .. | .. | .. | 4.5/5 | 4/5 | Sep 2010 | 699 | ebay.com | |
6. | Olympus XZ-1 | 4/5 | .. | .. | 74/100 | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | Jan 2011 | 499 | ebay.com | |
7. | Panasonic ZS70 | .. | + + | .. | .. | 4/5 | 4/5 | Apr 2017 | 449 | ebay.com | |
8. | Panasonic FZ200 | 3/5 | + + | .. | 80/100 | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | Jul 2012 | 599 | ebay.com | |
9. | Panasonic LX7 | 3/5 | + + | .. | 75/100 | 4/5 | 4.5/5 | Jul 2012 | 499 | ebay.com | |
10. | Panasonic FZ150 | 3/5 | + + | .. | 76/100 | 4/5 | 4.5/5 | Aug 2011 | 499 | ebay.com | |
11. | Panasonic GF3 | 3/5 | 82/100 | .. | 71/100 | 4.5/5 | 4/5 | Jun 2011 | 549 | ebay.com | |
12. | Panasonic GF2 | 3/5 | 82/100 | .. | 70/100 | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | Nov 2010 | 549 | ebay.com | |
13. | Sony A9 II | .. | .. | 5/5 | 90/100 | 5/5 | 5/5 | Oct 2019 | 4,499 | amazon.com | |
14. | Sony A99 II | .. | .. | 4.5/5 | 85/100 | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | Sep 2016 | 3,199 | ebay.com | |
15. | Sony A77 | 5/5 | 91/100 | .. | 81/100 | .. | 5/5 | Aug 2011 | 1,399 | ebay.com | |
16. | Sony A850 | 3/5 | .. | .. | 75/100 | .. | 4.5/5 | Aug 2009 | 1,999 | ebay.com | |
17. | Sony A900 | .. | + + | .. | + + | 4.5/5 | 5/5 | Sep 2008 | 2,999 | ebay.com | |
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available. |
The review scores listed above should be treated with care, though. The ratings were established in reference to similarly priced cameras that were available in the market at the time of the review. A score, therefore, has to be seen in close connection to the price and market introduction time of the camera, and comparing ratings of very distinct cameras or ones that are far apart in terms of their release date have little meaning. Also, please note that some of the review sites have changed their methodology and reporting over time.
Other camera comparisons
Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? In case you would like to check on the differences and similarities of other camera models, just make your choice using the following search menu. There is also a set of direct links to comparison reviews that other users of the CAM-parator app explored.
- Canon 1D X vs Panasonic LX5
- Canon 77D vs Panasonic LX5
- Canon Rebel vs Sony A99
- Canon SX60 vs Sony A99
- Canon T5i vs Sony A99
- Fujifilm X-E2S vs Sony A99
- Fujifilm X20 vs Sony A99
- Fujifilm XQ1 vs Panasonic LX5
- Hasselblad X1D vs Sony A99
- Leica D-LUX 5 vs Panasonic LX5
- Nikon 1 V3 vs Panasonic LX5
- Olympus E-M5 II vs Panasonic LX5
Specifications: Panasonic LX5 vs Sony A99
Below is a side-by-side comparison of the specs of the two cameras to facilitate a quick review of their differences and common features.
Camera Model | Panasonic LX5 | Sony A99 |
---|---|---|
Camera Type | Fixed lens compact camera | Digital single lens reflex |
Camera Lens | 24-90mm f/2.0-3.3 | Sony A mount lenses |
Launch Date | July 2010 | September 2012 |
Launch Price | USD 499 | USD 2,799 |
Sensor Specs | Panasonic LX5 | Sony A99 |
Sensor Technology | CCD | CMOS |
Sensor Format | 1/1.7" Sensor | Full Frame Sensor |
Sensor Size | 7.85 x 5.89 mm | 35.8 x 23.8 mm |
Sensor Area | 46.2365 mm2 | 852.04 mm2 |
Sensor Diagonal | 9.8 mm | 43 mm |
Crop Factor | 4.4x | 1.0x |
Sensor Resolution | 10 Megapixels | 24 Megapixels |
Image Resolution | 3648 x 2736 pixels | 6000 x 4000 pixels |
Pixel Pitch | 2.14 μm | 5.96 μm |
Pixel Density | 21.59 MP/cm2 | 2.82 MP/cm2 |
Moiré control | Anti-Alias filter | Anti-Alias filter |
Movie Capability | 720/60p Video | 1080/60p Video |
ISO Setting | 80 - 3,200 ISO | 100 - 25,600 ISO |
ISO Boost | 80 - 12,800 ISO | 50 - 25,600 ISO |
Image Processor | Venus FHD | BIONZ X |
DXO Sensor Quality (score) | 41 | 89 |
DXO Color Depth (bits) | 19.6 | 25.0 |
DXO Dynamic Range (EV) | 10.8 | 14.0 |
DXO Low Light (ISO) | 132 | 1555 |
Screen Specs | Panasonic LX5 | Sony A99 |
Viewfinder Type | Viewfinder optional | Electronic viewfinder |
Viewfinder Field of View | 100% | |
Viewfinder Magnification | 0.71x | |
Viewfinder Resolution | 2359k dots | |
Top-Level Screen | no Top Display | Control Panel |
LCD Framing | Live View | Live View |
Rear LCD Size | 3.0inch | 3.0inch |
LCD Resolution | 460k dots | 1229k dots |
LCD Attachment | Fixed screen | Fully flexible screen |
Shooting Specs | Panasonic LX5 | Sony A99 |
Focus System | Contrast-detect AF | Phase-detect AF |
Manual Focusing Aid | no Peaking Feature | Focus Peaking |
Max Shutter Speed (mechanical) | 1/4000s | 1/8000s |
Continuous Shooting | 2.5 shutter flaps/s | 6 shutter flaps/s |
Image Stabilization | Lens-based stabilization | In-body stabilization |
Fill Flash | Built-in Flash | no On-Board Flash |
Storage Medium | SDXC cards | MS or SDXC cards |
Single or Dual Card Slots | Single card slot | Dual card slots |
UHS card support | no | UHS-I |
Connectivity Specs | Panasonic LX5 | Sony A99 |
External Flash | Hotshoe | Hotshoe |
Studio Flash | no PC Sync | PC Sync socket |
USB Connector | USB 2.0 | USB 2.0 |
HDMI Port | mini HDMI | mini HDMI |
Microphone Port | no MIC socket | External MIC port |
Headphone Socket | no Headphone port | Headphone port |
Wifi Support | no Wifi | no Wifi |
Geotagging | no internal GPS | GPS built-in |
Body Specs | Panasonic LX5 | Sony A99 |
Environmental Sealing | not weather sealed | Weathersealed body |
Battery Type | Panasonic DMW-BCJ13 | Sony NP-FM500H |
Battery Life (CIPA) | 400 shots per charge | 500 shots per charge |
Body Dimensions |
110 x 65 x 43 mm (4.3 x 2.6 x 1.7 in) |
147 x 111 x 78 mm (5.8 x 4.4 x 3.1 in) |
Camera Weight | 271 g (9.6 oz) | 812 g (28.6 oz) |
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