• 1/2.33 inch 28.2mm2
  • 14.1 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 140.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600

Buy From

Differences

Panasonic DMC-FH3 advantages over Sony NEX-5R

  • Less expensive
    $180 vs $750 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Thinner
    24 mm vs 38 mm
    Thinner
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots

Sony NEX-5R advantages over Panasonic DMC-FH3

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1/2.33 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.78 vs 1.42 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More dots on screen
    922k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.0 fps vs 1.5 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/1600 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.

Common Weaknesses

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Panasonic DMC-FH1

Panasonic DMC-FH3
Panasonic DMC-FH1
  • $180
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • More pixels
  • $160
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Faster JPEG shooting
Sony NEX-5R
Panasonic DMC-FH1
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $160
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Canon A3300 IS

Panasonic DMC-FH3
Canon A3300 IS
  • $180
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Manual focus
  • $180
  • 1/2.3 inch
Sony NEX-5R
Canon A3300 IS
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $180
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Canon A2200

Panasonic DMC-FH3
Canon A2200
  • $180
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $129
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
Sony NEX-5R
Canon A2200
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $129
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Internal flash

Compared to Sony NEX-5N

Panasonic DMC-FH3
Sony NEX-5N
  • $180
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
Sony NEX-5R
Sony NEX-5N
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Touchscreen
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Higher effective ISO
  • Longer stills battery life

Compared to Canon EOS M

Panasonic DMC-FH3
Canon EOS M
  • $180
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
Sony NEX-5R
Canon EOS M
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • External Mic Jack
Compare Other Cameras?