Canon A2100 IS vs Panasonic SZ5
92 Imaging
34 Features
20 Overall
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95 Imaging
37 Features
34 Overall
35
Canon A2100 IS vs Panasonic SZ5 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 80 - 1600
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 640 x 480 video
- 36-216mm (F3.2-5.9) lens
- 185g - 102 x 64 x 32mm
- Announced February 2009
(Full Review)
- 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 1600 (Push to 6400)
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
- 136g - 104 x 58 x 21mm
- Launched July 2012

Canon A2100 IS vs Panasonic SZ5 Overview
Below, we will be contrasting the Canon A2100 IS versus Panasonic SZ5, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by companies Canon and Panasonic. The image resolution of the A2100 IS (12MP) and the SZ5 (14MP) is relatively well matched and they possess the exact same sensor size (1/2.3").

The A2100 IS was manufactured 4 years prior to the SZ5 which is quite a serious difference as far as technology is concerned. Each of the cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).
Before getting straight into a complete comparison, below is a simple overview of how the A2100 IS scores versus the SZ5 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Canon A2100 IS vs Panasonic SZ5 Gallery
Below is a preview of the gallery photos for Canon PowerShot A2100 IS & Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5. The entire galleries are available at Canon A2100 IS Gallery & Panasonic SZ5 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon A2100 IS over the Panasonic SZ5
A2100 IS | SZ5 |
---|
Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ5 over the Canon A2100 IS
SZ5 | A2100 IS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | July 2012 | ![]() | February 2009 | More modern by 41 months |
Common features in the Canon A2100 IS and Panasonic SZ5
A2100 IS | SZ5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | Lack of manual focus | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen dimension | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Identical screen size |
Screen resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | Equal screen resolution |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither offers selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Absent Touch friendly screen |
Canon A2100 IS vs Panasonic SZ5 Physical Comparison
If you are looking to carry around your camera often, you'll need to take into account its weight and measurements. The Canon A2100 IS offers physical dimensions of 102mm x 64mm x 32mm (4.0" x 2.5" x 1.3") with a weight of 185 grams (0.41 lbs) whilst the Panasonic SZ5 has proportions of 104mm x 58mm x 21mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 0.8") along with a weight of 136 grams (0.30 lbs).
See the Canon A2100 IS versus Panasonic SZ5 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you choose at that moment. Here is the front view scale comparison of the A2100 IS vs the SZ5.

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the A2100 IS and SZ5 is 92 and 95 respectively.

Canon A2100 IS vs Panasonic SZ5 Sensor Comparison
Quite often, it is tough to envision the gap between sensor sizes just by checking specs. The image below will give you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the A2100 IS and SZ5.
As you can plainly see, the 2 cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements albeit not the same resolution. You can count on the Panasonic SZ5 to give you extra detail due to its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will let you crop pictures much more aggressively. The more aged A2100 IS is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Canon A2100 IS vs Panasonic SZ5 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon A2100 IS vs Panasonic SZ5 Specifications
Canon PowerShot A2100 IS | Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Canon | Panasonic |
Model | Canon PowerShot A2100 IS | Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5 |
Class | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Compact |
Announced | 2009-02-18 | 2012-07-18 |
Physical type | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Sensor type | CCD | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor measurements | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 6.08 x 4.56mm |
Sensor area | 28.1mm² | 27.7mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12 megapixels | 14 megapixels |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 16:9 | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Highest Possible resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 4320 x 3240 |
Maximum native ISO | 1600 | 1600 |
Maximum enhanced ISO | - | 6400 |
Min native ISO | 80 | 100 |
RAW files | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
AF touch | ||
AF continuous | ||
Single AF | ||
Tracking AF | ||
Selective AF | ||
AF center weighted | ||
Multi area AF | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detect focusing | ||
Contract detect focusing | ||
Phase detect focusing | ||
Number of focus points | 9 | 23 |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 36-216mm (6.0x) | 25-250mm (10.0x) |
Highest aperture | f/3.2-5.9 | f/3.1-5.9 |
Macro focus range | 1cm | 5cm |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Type of display | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display diagonal | 3 inches | 3 inches |
Resolution of display | 230k dots | 230k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch capability | ||
Display tech | - | TFT Screen LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 15 secs | 8 secs |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/1600 secs | 1/1600 secs |
Continuous shutter rate | 1.0fps | 2.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual mode | ||
Set WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash range | 3.50 m | 5.60 m |
Flash modes | Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
WB 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) | 1280 x 720p ( 30,25 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | 640x480 | 1280x720 |
Video data format | Motion JPEG | MPEG-4 |
Microphone support | ||
Headphone support | ||
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 sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 185g (0.41 lbs) | 136g (0.30 lbs) |
Dimensions | 102 x 64 x 32mm (4.0" x 2.5" x 1.3") | 104 x 58 x 21mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 0.8") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall score | not tested | not tested |
DXO Color Depth score | not tested | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range score | not tested | not tested |
DXO Low light score | not tested | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery life | - | 250 photographs |
Form of battery | - | Battery Pack |
Battery model | 2 x AA | - |
Self timer | Yes (2, 10, Custom, Face) | Yes (2 or 10 secs) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Storage type | SD/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/HD MMCplus | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal |
Card slots | 1 | 1 |
Retail price | $220 | $195 |