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Canon G16 vs Panasonic SZ5

Portability
85
Imaging
37
Features
62
Overall
47
Canon PowerShot G16 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5 front
Portability
95
Imaging
38
Features
34
Overall
36

Canon G16 vs Panasonic SZ5 Key Specs

Canon G16
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-140mm (F1.8-2.8) lens
  • 356g - 109 x 76 x 40mm
  • Announced November 2013
  • Superseded the Canon G15
Panasonic SZ5
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Expand to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 136g - 104 x 58 x 21mm
  • Revealed July 2012
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Canon G16 vs Panasonic SZ5 Overview

In this write-up, we are analyzing the Canon G16 versus Panasonic SZ5, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by rivals Canon and Panasonic. The resolution of the G16 (12MP) and the SZ5 (14MP) is fairly similar but the G16 (1/1.7") and SZ5 (1/2.3") come with different sensor sizes.

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The G16 was introduced 17 months later than the SZ5 making the cameras a generation apart from each other. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before delving in to a in depth comparison, below is a simple highlight of how the G16 grades vs the SZ5 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon G16 over the Panasonic SZ5

 G16 SZ5 
RevealedNovember 2013July 2012Fresher by 17 months
Manually focus Dial exact focus
Display resolution922k230kClearer display (+692k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ5 over the Canon G16

 SZ5 G16 

Common features in the Canon G16 and Panasonic SZ5

 G16 SZ5 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display dimensions
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch friendly display No Touch friendly display

Canon G16 vs Panasonic SZ5 Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to carry your camera regularly, you will need to consider its weight and measurements. The Canon G16 provides outside dimensions of 109mm x 76mm x 40mm (4.3" x 3.0" x 1.6") and a weight of 356 grams (0.78 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).

Examine the Canon G16 versus Panasonic SZ5 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are using at that moment. Underneath is the front view dimension comparison of the G16 vs the SZ5.

Canon G16 vs Panasonic SZ5 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the G16 and SZ5 is 85 and 95 respectively.

Canon G16 vs Panasonic SZ5 top view buttons comparison

Canon G16 vs Panasonic SZ5 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it can be hard to imagine the difference between sensor sizing only by reading specs. The graphic underneath might provide you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the G16 and SZ5.

As you can plainly see, both of the cameras offer different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The G16 having a larger sensor is going to make shooting bokeh easier and the Panasonic SZ5 will deliver greater detail using its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will also help you crop pics a little more aggressively. The younger G16 provides an advantage when it comes to sensor tech.

Canon G16 vs Panasonic SZ5 sensor size comparison

Canon G16 vs Panasonic SZ5 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon G16 vs Panasonic SZ5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon G16 Portrait photography information
Panasonic SZ5 Portrait photography information
48
focusing manually
above average flash sync (1/2,000 seconds)
supports face detect focus
saves RAW formats
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/1.7")
34
good resolution (14 megapixels)
supports face detection autofocus
focusing manually not possible
manual exposure not available
cannot use external flash
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon G16 Street photography information
Panasonic SZ5 Street photography information
58
has image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW formats
no moving screen
sensor is tiny (1/1.7")
heavier than average in class (356g)
63
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (136g)
no articulating screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Canon G16 Sports photography features
Panasonic SZ5 Sports photography features
43
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports tracking focus
great battery (360 per charge)
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/1.7")
lack of phase detect auto focus
40
has image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (14 megapixels)
supports tracking autofocus
continuous shooting slow (2.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon G16 Travel photography details
Panasonic SZ5 Travel photography details
64
great battery (360 CIPA)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (28mm)
fast maximum aperture (f1.8)
heavier than average in class (356g)
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
70
lighter than competition in class (136 grams)
good resolution (14MP)
built-in flash
relatively wide (25mm)
very long reach (250mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
display is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon G16 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic SZ5 as a Landscape photography camera
58
focusing manually
reasonably wide (28mm)
fast maximum aperture (f1.8)
nice screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW formats
great battery (360 per charge)
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/1.7")
42
relatively wide (25mm)
screen is a good size (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
manual exposure not available
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
doesn't have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon G16 Vlogging highlights
Panasonic SZ5 Vlogging highlights
33
reasonably wide (28mm)
fast maximum aperture (f1.8)
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
screen is not selfie friendly
missing mic socket
heavier than average in class (356 grams)
32
relatively wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detection autofocus
lighter than competition in class (136g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
display is not selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have external microphone jack
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Canon G16 vs Panasonic SZ5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon G16 and Panasonic SZ5
 Canon PowerShot G16Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5
General Information
Brand Canon Panasonic
Model type Canon PowerShot G16 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2013-11-25 2012-07-18
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 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 5:4, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4000 x 3000 4320 x 3240
Max native ISO 12800 1600
Max boosted ISO - 6400
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 9 23
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-140mm (5.0x) 25-250mm (10.0x)
Maximal aperture f/1.8-2.8 f/3.1-5.9
Macro focusing distance 1cm 5cm
Crop factor 4.8 5.9
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3" 3"
Resolution of display 922k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display tech TFT PureColor II G LCD TFT Screen LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (tunnel) None
Viewfinder coverage 80 percent -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15 seconds 8 seconds
Highest 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 -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 7.00 m 5.60 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Second Curtain Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/2000 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 or 30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720p ( 30,25 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
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 356 grams (0.78 pounds) 136 grams (0.30 pounds)
Dimensions 109 x 76 x 40mm (4.3" x 3.0" x 1.6") 104 x 58 x 21mm (4.1" x 2.3" 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 photos 250 photos
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NB-10L -
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
Storage slots 1 1
Pricing at launch $499 $195