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Canon G16 vs Panasonic S3

Portability
85
Imaging
38
Features
62
Overall
47
Canon PowerShot G16 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 front
Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
24
Overall
31

Canon G16 vs Panasonic S3 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
  • Launched November 2013
  • Superseded the Canon G15
Panasonic S3
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-112mm (F3.1-5.6) lens
  • 117g - 99 x 59 x 21mm
  • Released January 2011
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Canon G16 vs Panasonic S3 Overview

Its time to look more closely at the Canon G16 vs Panasonic S3, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by brands Canon and Panasonic. The image resolution of the G16 (12MP) and the S3 (14MP) is relatively similar but the G16 (1/1.7") and S3 (1/2.3") have totally different sensor dimensions.

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The G16 was introduced 2 years after the S3 which is quite a significant gap as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before delving straight to a in-depth comparison, here is a quick introduction of how the G16 matches up versus the S3 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon G16 over the Panasonic S3

 G16 S3 
ReleasedNovember 2013January 2011More modern by 36 months
Manually focus Dial exact focus
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution922k230kSharper screen (+692k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic S3 over the Canon G16

 S3 G16 

Common features in the Canon G16 and Panasonic S3

 G16 S3 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither features Touch friendly screen

Canon G16 vs Panasonic S3 Physical Comparison

For those who are going to carry around your camera often, you will want to think about its weight and proportions. The Canon G16 enjoys physical measurements of 109mm x 76mm x 40mm (4.3" x 3.0" x 1.6") having a weight of 356 grams (0.78 lbs) and the Panasonic S3 has measurements of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") along with a weight of 117 grams (0.26 lbs).

Look at the Canon G16 vs Panasonic S3 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you use at the time. Below is a front view proportions comparison of the G16 versus the S3.

Canon G16 vs Panasonic S3 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the G16 and S3 is 85 and 96 respectively.

Canon G16 vs Panasonic S3 top view buttons comparison

Canon G16 vs Panasonic S3 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it's hard to envision the difference between sensor sizes simply by reviewing specs. The picture below should offer you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the G16 and S3.

As you can plainly see, each of the cameras come with different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The G16 using its bigger sensor will make shooting shallower depth of field easier and the Panasonic S3 will offer you greater detail using its extra 2MP. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop shots a good deal more aggressively. The more modern G16 is going to have an edge with regard to sensor technology.

Canon G16 vs Panasonic S3 sensor size comparison

Canon G16 vs Panasonic S3 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon G16 vs Panasonic S3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon G16 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic S3 as a Portrait photography camera
49
has manual focus
flash sync is higher than normal (1/2,000 seconds)
provides face detect focusing
saves RAW formats
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/1.7")
28
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
manual mode not available
external flash not possible
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Canon G16 Street photography features
Panasonic S3 Street photography features
58
built in image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW formats
fixed screen
sensor is very small (1/1.7")
more heavy than competition in class (356 grams)
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (117g)
screen is fixed
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Canon G16 Sports photography info
Panasonic S3 Sports photography info
44
built in image stabilization (Optical)
provides tracking focus
good battery (360 shots)
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/1.7")
no phase detect AF
35
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
low frames per second (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon G16 Travel photography factors
Panasonic S3 Travel photography factors
64
good battery (360 per charge)
built-in flash
rather wide (28mm)
great max aperture (f1.8)
more heavy than competition in class (356g)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
68
lighter than competition in class (117g)
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
built-in flash
really wide (28mm)
does not have Time Lapse recording
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon G16 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic S3 as a Landscape photography camera
58
has manual focus
rather wide (28mm)
great max aperture (f1.8)
decent sized screen (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW formats
good battery (360 CIPA)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/1.7")
38
really wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
screen is small (2.7")
manual mode not available
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
does not have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon G16 Vlogging information
Panasonic S3 Vlogging information
33
rather wide (28mm)
great max aperture (f1.8)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
screen is not selfie friendly
missing microphone support
more heavy than competition in class (356 grams)
31
really wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (117g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have mic socket
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Canon G16 vs Panasonic S3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon G16 and Panasonic S3
 Canon PowerShot G16Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3
General Information
Make Canon Panasonic
Model Canon PowerShot G16 Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2013-11-25 2011-01-05
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Digic 6 Venus Engine IV
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/1.7" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 7.44 x 5.58mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 41.5mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 14MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 5:4, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4000 x 3000 4320 x 3240
Highest native ISO 12800 6400
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 9 11
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-140mm (5.0x) 28-112mm (4.0x)
Largest aperture f/1.8-2.8 f/3.1-5.6
Macro focus range 1cm 5cm
Crop factor 4.8 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inches 2.7 inches
Screen resolution 922k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen technology TFT PureColor II G LCD TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (tunnel) None
Viewfinder coverage 80 percent -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15 seconds 8 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 12.0 frames per sec 2.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 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 synchronize 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 (30fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4
Mic port
Headphone port
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 sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 356g (0.78 pounds) 117g (0.26 pounds)
Physical dimensions 109 x 76 x 40mm (4.3" x 3.0" x 1.6") 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 54 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 21.0 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 11.7 not tested
DXO Low light score 230 not tested
Other
Battery life 360 shots 250 shots
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NB-10L -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Launch price $499 $110