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Canon N vs Panasonic ZS5

Portability
93
Imaging
36
Features
33
Overall
34
Canon PowerShot N front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5 front
Portability
92
Imaging
35
Features
30
Overall
33

Canon N vs Panasonic ZS5 Key Specs

Canon N
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.8" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-224mm (F3.0-5.9) lens
  • 195g - 79 x 60 x 29mm
  • Released January 2013
Panasonic ZS5
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-300mm (F3.3-4.9) lens
  • 214g - 103 x 60 x 32mm
  • Launched June 2010
  • Other Name is Lumix DMC-TZ8
Photography Glossary

Canon N vs Panasonic ZS5 Overview

Its time to look a bit more in depth at the Canon N and Panasonic ZS5, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by competitors Canon and Panasonic. The image resolution of the N (12MP) and the ZS5 (12MP) is relatively comparable and they feature the exact same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The N was manufactured 2 years later than the ZS5 and that is a fairly significant gap as far as camera tech is concerned. The two cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before we go straight into a thorough comparison, below is a brief introduction of how the N grades against the ZS5 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Canon N over the Panasonic ZS5

 N ZS5 
LaunchedJanuary 2013June 2010More recent by 32 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen dimension2.8"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.1")
Screen resolution461k230kCrisper screen (+231k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS5 over the Canon N

 ZS5 N 

Common features in the Canon N and Panasonic ZS5

 N ZS5 
Manual focus No manual focusing

Canon N vs Panasonic ZS5 Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to lug around your camera, you will need to factor its weight and volume. The Canon N enjoys exterior measurements of 79mm x 60mm x 29mm (3.1" x 2.4" x 1.1") along with a weight of 195 grams (0.43 lbs) and the Panasonic ZS5 has sizing of 103mm x 60mm x 32mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") with a weight of 214 grams (0.47 lbs).

Look at the Canon N and Panasonic ZS5 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you select at that moment. Underneath is the front view size comparison of the N and the ZS5.

Canon N vs Panasonic ZS5 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the N and ZS5 is 93 and 92 respectively.

Canon N vs Panasonic ZS5 top view buttons comparison

Canon N vs Panasonic ZS5 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it's difficult to see the contrast in sensor measurements purely by checking out a spec sheet. The photograph underneath should give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the N and ZS5.

Clearly, the 2 cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements and the same exact megapixels so you should expect comparable quality of photos however you really should take the release date of the cameras into account. The newer N is going to have an advantage in sensor technology.

Canon N vs Panasonic ZS5 sensor size comparison

Canon N vs Panasonic ZS5 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon N vs Panasonic ZS5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon N
Portrait photography with Panasonic ZS5
21
manual focus not available
no manual control
can't use external flash
MP count low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
27
includes face detect autofocus
no manual focus
cannot use external flash
low resolution sensor (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon N Street photography factors
Panasonic ZS5 Street photography factors
65
has a tilting screen
image stabilization (Optical)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
61
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (214 grams)
screen is fixed
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Canon N Sports photography advice
Panasonic ZS5 Sports photography advice
25
image stabilization (Optical)
max fps very slow (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
MP count low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
bad battery (200 shots)
lacks phase detect autofocus
31
image stabilization (Optical)
includes tracking focus
maximum shutter speed is a little low (1/1,300 seconds)
painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
low resolution sensor (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon N Travel photography features
Panasonic ZS5 Travel photography features
61
built-in flash
selfie friendly screen
reasonably wide (28mm)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
bad battery (200 CIPA)
MP count low (12MP)
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
63
lighter than others in class (214 grams)
built-in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
long zoom (300mm)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
low resolution sensor (12MP)
does not have selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon N Landscape photography information
Panasonic ZS5 Landscape photography information
36
reasonably wide (28mm)
nice screen size (2.8 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
no manual control
MP count low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
bad battery (200 CIPA)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
33
pretty wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
screen is small (2.7 inch)
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
doesn't have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon N Vlogging info
Panasonic ZS5 Vlogging info
72
reasonably wide (28mm)
selfie friendly screen
screen is touchscreen
image stabilization (Optical)
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
doesn't have microphone socket
31
pretty wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detect autofocus
lighter than others in class (214g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
does not have selfie friendly screen
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have microphone jack
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Canon N vs Panasonic ZS5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon N and Panasonic ZS5
 Canon PowerShot NPanasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5
General Information
Make Canon Panasonic
Model Canon PowerShot N Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5
Alternative name - Lumix DMC-TZ8
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2013-01-07 2010-06-16
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Digic 5 Venus Engine HD II
Sensor type CMOS 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 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4000 x 2248 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 80 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points - 11
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-224mm (8.0x) 25-300mm (12.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.0-5.9 f/3.3-4.9
Macro focus distance 1cm 3cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Range of screen Tilting Fixed Type
Screen size 2.8" 2.7"
Screen resolution 461 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen tech PureColor II G touch -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15 seconds 60 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/1300 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 2.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range - 5.30 m
Flash modes - Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (24 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 120 fps), 320 x 240 ( 240 fps) 1280 x 720 (30fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format 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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 195 grams (0.43 pounds) 214 grams (0.47 pounds)
Dimensions 79 x 60 x 29mm (3.1" x 2.4" x 1.1") 103 x 60 x 32mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3")
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 200 images -
Form of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model NB-9L -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media microSD/microSDHC/microSDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Pricing at release $299 $300