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Canon A3400 IS vs Panasonic SZ5

Portability
96
Imaging
39
Features
35
Overall
37
Canon PowerShot A3400 IS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5 front
Portability
95
Imaging
38
Features
34
Overall
36

Canon A3400 IS vs Panasonic SZ5 Key Specs

Canon A3400 IS
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F2.8-6.9) lens
  • 126g - 94 x 56 x 21mm
  • Revealed February 2012
Panasonic SZ5
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Raise 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
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Canon A3400 IS vs Panasonic SZ5 Overview

Lets look more closely at the Canon A3400 IS vs Panasonic SZ5, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by brands Canon and Panasonic. The image resolution of the A3400 IS (16MP) and the SZ5 (14MP) is pretty comparable and both cameras posses the identical sensor size (1/2.3").

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The A3400 IS was manufactured 5 months earlier than the SZ5 so they are of a similar generation. Both the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before going straight to a more detailed comparison, here is a simple view of how the A3400 IS grades versus the SZ5 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Canon A3400 IS over the Panasonic SZ5

 A3400 IS SZ5 
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ5 over the Canon A3400 IS

 SZ5 A3400 IS 

Common features in the Canon A3400 IS and Panasonic SZ5

 A3400 IS SZ5 
LaunchedFebruary 2012July 2012Same generation
Manual focus No manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen size
Screen resolution230k230kSame screen resolution
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen

Canon A3400 IS vs Panasonic SZ5 Physical Comparison

If you're planning to travel with your camera frequently, you will need to take into account its weight and proportions. The Canon A3400 IS has external measurements of 94mm x 56mm x 21mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.8") with a weight of 126 grams (0.28 lbs) while the Panasonic SZ5 has measurements of 104mm x 58mm x 21mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 0.8") having a weight of 136 grams (0.30 lbs).

Contrast the Canon A3400 IS vs Panasonic SZ5 in the new 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 employing at the time. The following is a front view measurement comparison of the A3400 IS vs the SZ5.

Canon A3400 IS vs Panasonic SZ5 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the A3400 IS and SZ5 is 96 and 95 respectively.

Canon A3400 IS vs Panasonic SZ5 top view buttons comparison

Canon A3400 IS vs Panasonic SZ5 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it can be difficult to envision the difference in sensor dimensions only by going through specifications. The image here should give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the A3400 IS and SZ5.

Plainly, the 2 cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit not the same MP. You should expect the Canon A3400 IS to show greater detail due to its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will enable you to crop shots way more aggressively.

Canon A3400 IS vs Panasonic SZ5 sensor size comparison

Canon A3400 IS vs Panasonic SZ5 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon A3400 IS vs Panasonic SZ5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon A3400 IS as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic SZ5 as a Portrait photography camera
34
MP count good (16MP)
supports face detection focus
manual focus not available
manual mode not available
no external flash support
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
34
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
supports face detection autofocus
lack of manual focus
manual exposure not available
can't use external flash
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Canon A3400 IS Street photography highlights
Panasonic SZ5 Street photography highlights
67
image stabilization (Optical)
features touch focus
lighter than competitors (126g)
screen is fixed
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
63
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (136 grams)
screen does not articulate
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Canon A3400 IS as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic SZ5 as a Sports photography camera
38
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
supports tracking autofocus
max frames per second very slow (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
bad battery pack (180 per charge)
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
40
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
supports tracking autofocus
continuous shooting slow (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon A3400 IS as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic SZ5 as a Travel photography camera
68
lighter than competitors (126 grams)
features touch focus
MP count good (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
fairly wide (28mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
bad battery pack (180 shots)
does not posses selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
70
lighter than average (136g)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
rather wide (25mm)
long zoom (250mm)
no Time Lapse mode
does not offer selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon A3400 IS Landscape photography information
Panasonic SZ5 Landscape photography information
41
fairly wide (28mm)
screen size is good (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16MP)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
manual mode not available
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
bad battery pack (180 shots)
does not have Time Lapse mode
42
rather wide (25mm)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
manual exposure not available
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
no Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon A3400 IS Vlogging advice
Panasonic SZ5 Vlogging advice
34
fairly wide (28mm)
touchscreen
image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detection focus
lighter than competitors (126 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
does not posses selfie friendly display
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have external mic support
32
rather wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detection autofocus
lighter than average (136g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
no external mic socket
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Canon A3400 IS vs Panasonic SZ5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon A3400 IS and Panasonic SZ5
 Canon PowerShot A3400 ISPanasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5
General Information
Make Canon Panasonic
Model Canon PowerShot A3400 IS Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2012-02-07 2012-07-18
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 4320 x 3240
Highest native ISO 1600 1600
Highest enhanced ISO - 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 9 23
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-140mm (5.0x) 25-250mm (10.0x)
Maximum aperture f/2.8-6.9 f/3.1-5.9
Macro focus distance 3cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology - TFT Screen LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15 secs 8 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shutter rate 1.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 3.00 m 5.60 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (25 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720p ( 30,25 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format H.264 MPEG-4
Mic port
Headphone port
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 126g (0.28 pounds) 136g (0.30 pounds)
Physical dimensions 94 x 56 x 21mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.8") 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 180 photographs 250 photographs
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NB-11L -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 secs)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Price at release $230 $195