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Canon G16 vs Panasonic S2

Portability
85
Imaging
37
Features
62
Overall
47
Canon PowerShot G16 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-S2 front
Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
29
Overall
33

Canon G16 vs Panasonic S2 Key Specs

Canon G16
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-140mm (F1.8-2.8) lens
  • 356g - 109 x 76 x 40mm
  • Released November 2013
  • Superseded the Canon G15
Panasonic S2
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-112mm (F3.1-6.5) lens
  • 112g - 98 x 57 x 21mm
  • Announced January 2012
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Canon G16 vs Panasonic S2 Overview

Here is a extended comparison of the Canon G16 versus Panasonic S2, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by brands Canon and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the G16 (12MP) and the S2 (14MP) is relatively similar but the G16 (1/1.7") and S2 (1/2.3") come with totally different sensor sizing.

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The G16 was brought out 23 months later than the S2 which makes the cameras a generation apart from one another. Each of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before diving in to a comprehensive comparison, below is a quick summary of how the G16 grades vs the S2 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon G16 over the Panasonic S2

 G16 S2 
AnnouncedNovember 2013January 2012Fresher by 23 months
Manually focus Dial accurate focusing
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution922k230kCrisper screen (+692k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic S2 over the Canon G16

 S2 G16 

Common features in the Canon G16 and Panasonic S2

 G16 S2 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch screen Neither contains Touch screen

Canon G16 vs Panasonic S2 Physical Comparison

In case you're intending to carry your camera often, you're going to have to factor its weight and proportions. The Canon G16 has got external measurements of 109mm x 76mm x 40mm (4.3" x 3.0" x 1.6") with a weight of 356 grams (0.78 lbs) and the Panasonic S2 has measurements of 98mm x 57mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") with a weight of 112 grams (0.25 lbs).

See the Canon G16 versus Panasonic S2 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are using at that moment. Following is the front view over all size comparison of the G16 and the S2.

Canon G16 vs Panasonic S2 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the G16 and S2 is 85 and 96 respectively.

Canon G16 vs Panasonic S2 top view buttons comparison

Canon G16 vs Panasonic S2 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, its difficult to visualise the contrast between sensor sizing just by going over technical specs. The graphic below will help give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the G16 and S2.

As you have seen, both of the cameras enjoy different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The G16 because of its bigger sensor will make achieving shallow DOF easier and the Panasonic S2 will offer greater detail having its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will let you crop shots far more aggressively. The younger G16 will have a benefit in sensor innovation.

Canon G16 vs Panasonic S2 sensor size comparison

Canon G16 vs Panasonic S2 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon G16 vs Panasonic S2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon G16 Portrait photography details
Panasonic S2 Portrait photography details
48
focusing manually
flash sync speed is above average (1/2,000s)
supports face detect focus
exports RAW files
MP count low (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/1.7")
33
decent MP (14 megapixels)
supports face detection focus
manual focus not available
no manual exposure
no external flash support
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon G16
Street photography with Panasonic S2
58
built in image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW files
no articulating screen
sensor is tiny (1/1.7")
more heavy than competitors in class (356 grams)
63
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (112 grams)
no articulating screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Canon G16 Sports photography advice
Panasonic S2 Sports photography advice
43
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports tracking focus
good battery power (360 CIPA)
MP count low (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/1.7")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
39
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (14 megapixels)
better than average battery (280 shots)
low frames per second (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon G16 Travel photography highlights
Panasonic S2 Travel photography highlights
64
good battery power (360 CIPA)
built-in flash
pretty wide (28mm)
great maximum aperture (f1.8)
more heavy than competitors in class (356g)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
70
better than average battery (280 shots)
lighter than competitors in class (112 grams)
decent MP (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
pretty wide (28mm)
lack of Timelapse mode
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon G16 Landscape photography details
Panasonic S2 Landscape photography details
58
focusing manually
pretty wide (28mm)
great maximum aperture (f1.8)
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW files
good battery power (360 per charge)
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
MP count low (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/1.7")
41
pretty wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (14MP)
better than average battery (280 CIPA)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
no manual exposure
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
lack of Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon G16
Vlogging with Panasonic S2
33
pretty wide (28mm)
great maximum aperture (f1.8)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have microphone support
more heavy than competitors in class (356g)
32
pretty wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detection focus
lighter than competitors in class (112g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
screen is not selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of external microphone jack
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Canon G16 vs Panasonic S2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon G16 and Panasonic S2
 Canon PowerShot G16Panasonic Lumix DMC-S2
General Information
Brand Name Canon Panasonic
Model type Canon PowerShot G16 Panasonic Lumix DMC-S2
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Released 2013-11-25 2012-01-09
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Digic 6 -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/1.7" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 7.44 x 5.58mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 41.5mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 5:4, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Full resolution 4000 x 3000 4320 x 3240
Max native ISO 12800 6400
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 9 23
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-140mm (5.0x) 28-112mm (4.0x)
Maximal aperture f/1.8-2.8 f/3.1-6.5
Macro focusing distance 1cm 5cm
Crop factor 4.8 5.9
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inch 2.7 inch
Screen resolution 922 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen tech TFT PureColor II G LCD TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (tunnel) None
Viewfinder coverage 80% -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15 seconds 8 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 12.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 7.00 m 3.30 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Second Curtain Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/2000 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 or 30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 356g (0.78 lbs) 112g (0.25 lbs)
Dimensions 109 x 76 x 40mm (4.3" x 3.0" x 1.6") 98 x 57 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 54 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 21.0 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.7 not tested
DXO Low light rating 230 not tested
Other
Battery life 360 shots 280 shots
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NB-10L -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Launch pricing $499 $109