Clicky

Canon A1100 IS vs Panasonic ZS50

Portability
93
Imaging
34
Features
17
Overall
27
Canon PowerShot A1100 IS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS50 front
Portability
90
Imaging
36
Features
57
Overall
44

Canon A1100 IS vs Panasonic ZS50 Key Specs

Canon A1100 IS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 35-140mm (F2.7-5.6) lens
  • 150g - 95 x 62 x 31mm
  • Launched February 2009
Panasonic ZS50
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 243g - 111 x 65 x 34mm
  • Announced January 2015
  • Also Known as Lumix DMC-TZ70
  • Superseded the Panasonic ZS45
  • Renewed by Panasonic ZS60
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Canon A1100 IS vs Panasonic ZS50 Overview

On this page, we are reviewing the Canon A1100 IS versus Panasonic ZS50, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by manufacturers Canon and Panasonic. The image resolution of the A1100 IS (12MP) and the ZS50 (12MP) is fairly comparable and both cameras offer the same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

The A1100 IS was launched 6 years earlier than the ZS50 and that is a fairly serious gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before delving into a step-by-step comparison, here is a quick synopsis of how the A1100 IS grades versus the ZS50 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Photography Glossary

        

Reasons to pick Canon A1100 IS over the Panasonic ZS50

 A1100 IS ZS50 

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS50 over the Canon A1100 IS

 ZS50 A1100 IS 
AnnouncedJanuary 2015February 2009More recent by 71 months
Manually focus More exact focusing
Display dimensions3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution1040k115kClearer display (+925k dot)

Common features in the Canon A1100 IS and Panasonic ZS50

 A1100 IS ZS50 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither has Touch friendly display

Canon A1100 IS vs Panasonic ZS50 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is intending to lug around your camera, you will need to factor in its weight and proportions. The Canon A1100 IS has external dimensions of 95mm x 62mm x 31mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 1.2") accompanied by a weight of 150 grams (0.33 lbs) and the Panasonic ZS50 has measurements of 111mm x 65mm x 34mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 243 grams (0.54 lbs).

Contrast the Canon A1100 IS versus Panasonic ZS50 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are utilizing during that time. Below is a front view dimensions comparison of the A1100 IS compared to the ZS50.

Canon A1100 IS vs Panasonic ZS50 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the A1100 IS and ZS50 is 93 and 90 respectively.

Canon A1100 IS vs Panasonic ZS50 top view buttons comparison

Canon A1100 IS vs Panasonic ZS50 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is hard to envision the contrast in sensor measurements just by seeing a spec sheet. The graphic below will give you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the A1100 IS and ZS50.

As you can see, each of these cameras provide the same sensor dimensions and the identical resolution so you should expect comparable quality of pictures though you might want to take the production date of the cameras into account. The older A1100 IS will be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.

Canon A1100 IS vs Panasonic ZS50 sensor size comparison

Canon A1100 IS vs Panasonic ZS50 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon A1100 IS vs Panasonic ZS50 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon A1100 IS Portrait photography highlights
Panasonic ZS50 Portrait photography highlights
26
has face detection focus
lack of manual focus
lack of manual mode
no external flash support
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
41
focusing manually
includes face detect focusing
saves RAW files
can't use external flash
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Street Comparison

Canon A1100 IS Street photography features
Panasonic ZS50 Street photography features
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
68
has image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW files
lighter than competition (243 grams)
fixed screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Sports Comparison

Canon A1100 IS Sports photography advice
Panasonic ZS50 Sports photography advice
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
low fps (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
low MP (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
43
incredible zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
includes tracking focus
low MP (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Travel Comparison

Canon A1100 IS Travel photography info
Panasonic ZS50 Travel photography info
50
has built in flash
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
low MP (12 megapixels)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
wide angle not good (35mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.7)
66
lighter than competition (243 grams)
flash built-in
really wide (24mm)
very long zoom (720mm)
low MP (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Landscape Comparison

Canon A1100 IS as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic ZS50 as a Landscape photography camera
27
has image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (35mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.7)
screen is somewhat small (2.5")
lack of manual mode
low MP (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
51
focusing manually
really wide (24mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW files
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Vlogging Comparison

Canon A1100 IS Vlogging information
Panasonic ZS50 Vlogging information
27
has image stabilization (Optical)
has face detection focus
wide angle not good (35mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.7)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
video resolution low (640 x 480 pxls)
doesn't have external mic port
34
really wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detect focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition (243g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
no mic port
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Canon A1100 IS vs Panasonic ZS50 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon A1100 IS and Panasonic ZS50
 Canon PowerShot A1100 ISPanasonic Lumix DMC-ZS50
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Panasonic
Model Canon PowerShot A1100 IS Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS50
Otherwise known as - Lumix DMC-TZ70
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2009-02-18 2015-01-06
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Digic 4 -
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 1600 6400
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 9 23
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 35-140mm (4.0x) 24-720mm (30.0x)
Max aperture f/2.7-5.6 f/3.3-6.4
Macro focus range 3cm 3cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.5 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 115 thousand dot 1,040 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (tunnel) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,166 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.46x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15 secs 4 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 1.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 4.00 m 6.40 m
Flash settings Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60p/60i/30p), 1280 x 720 (60p/30p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Highest video resolution 640x480 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 150 grams (0.33 lb) 243 grams (0.54 lb)
Physical dimensions 95 x 62 x 31mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 1.2") 111 x 65 x 34mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 44
DXO Color Depth score not tested 20.0
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 11.2
DXO Low light score not tested 138
Other
Battery life - 300 photographs
Battery form - Battery Pack
Battery model 2 x AA -
Self timer Yes (2, 10, Custom, Face) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/HD MMCplus SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots One One
Cost at launch $160 $350