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Canon S120 vs Panasonic LS5

Portability
92
Imaging
37
Features
57
Overall
45
Canon PowerShot S120 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LS5 front
Portability
94
Imaging
36
Features
25
Overall
31

Canon S120 vs Panasonic LS5 Key Specs

Canon S120
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-120mm (F1.8-5.7) lens
  • 217g - 100 x 59 x 29mm
  • Launched November 2013
  • Replaced the Canon S110
Panasonic LS5
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-130mm (F2.8-6.5) lens
  • 126g - 97 x 62 x 27mm
  • Introduced July 2011
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Canon S120 vs Panasonic LS5 Overview

Following is a extended analysis of the Canon S120 and Panasonic LS5, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by manufacturers Canon and Panasonic. The resolution of the S120 (12MP) and the LS5 (14MP) is fairly similar but the S120 (1/1.7") and LS5 (1/2.3") boast totally different sensor sizes.

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The S120 was brought out 2 years after the LS5 which is quite a sizable gap as far as technology is concerned. Both of the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before delving right into a step-by-step comparison, here is a quick view of how the S120 matches up against the LS5 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Photography Glossary

        

Reasons to pick Canon S120 over the Panasonic LS5

 S120 LS5 
IntroducedNovember 2013July 2011More modern by 29 months
Manually focus More exact focusing
Display size3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution922k230kCrisper display (+692k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic LS5 over the Canon S120

 LS5 S120 

Common features in the Canon S120 and Panasonic LS5

 S120 LS5 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen

Canon S120 vs Panasonic LS5 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is going to carry around your camera regularly, you will have to consider its weight and proportions. The Canon S120 enjoys outside measurements of 100mm x 59mm x 29mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 217 grams (0.48 lbs) and the Panasonic LS5 has measurements of 97mm x 62mm x 27mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 126 grams (0.28 lbs).

Examine the Canon S120 and Panasonic LS5 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you have at that time. Underneath is a front view measurements comparison of the S120 compared to the LS5.

Canon S120 vs Panasonic LS5 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the S120 and LS5 is 92 and 94 respectively.

Canon S120 vs Panasonic LS5 top view buttons comparison

Canon S120 vs Panasonic LS5 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it's difficult to see the gap between sensor sizes merely by going over technical specs. The picture here may give you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the S120 and LS5.

As you have seen, both the cameras come with different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The S120 featuring a larger sensor will make shooting shallower depth of field easier and the Panasonic LS5 will offer you greater detail having its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will allow you to crop images a good deal more aggressively. The fresher S120 will have a benefit when it comes to sensor technology.

Canon S120 vs Panasonic LS5 sensor size comparison

Canon S120 vs Panasonic LS5 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon S120 vs Panasonic LS5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon S120 Portrait photography highlights
Panasonic LS5 Portrait photography highlights
42
has manual focus
features face detect focus
delivers RAW formats
can't use external flash
low resolution sensor (12MP)
very small sensor (1/1.7")
33
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
comes with face detect focus
focusing manually not possible
no manual control
no external flash support
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon S120 Street photography information
Panasonic LS5 Street photography information
65
built in image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW formats
comes with touch focus
no moving screen
very small sensor (1/1.7")
more heavy than others (217g)
62
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (126 grams)
no articulating screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Canon S120 Sports photography details
Panasonic LS5 Sports photography details
38
built in image stabilization (Optical)
features tracking focus
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/1.7")
no phase detect auto focus
32
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
low frames per second (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
terrible battery life (160 CIPA)
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon S120
Travel photography with Panasonic LS5
67
comes with touch focus
built-in flash
pretty wide (24mm)
fast maximum aperture (f1.8)
more heavy than others (217g)
low resolution sensor (12MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
64
lighter than competition (126g)
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
flash built-in
rather wide (26mm)
no Timelapse mode
terrible battery life (160 per charge)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon S120 Landscape photography details
Panasonic LS5 Landscape photography details
57
has manual focus
pretty wide (24mm)
fast maximum aperture (f1.8)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW formats
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/1.7")
36
rather wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
no manual control
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
terrible battery life (160 shots)
no Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon S120 Vlogging advice
Panasonic LS5 Vlogging advice
35
pretty wide (24mm)
fast maximum aperture (f1.8)
screen is touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
screen is not selfie friendly
missing microphone socket
more heavy than others (217 grams)
32
rather wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detect focus
lighter than competition (126 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
no microphone support
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Canon S120 vs Panasonic LS5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon S120 and Panasonic LS5
 Canon PowerShot S120Panasonic Lumix DMC-LS5
General Information
Brand Name Canon Panasonic
Model Canon PowerShot S120 Panasonic Lumix DMC-LS5
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2013-11-26 2011-07-21
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor 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 surface 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 and 16:9
Max resolution 4000 x 3000 4320 x 3240
Max native ISO 12800 6400
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-120mm (5.0x) 26-130mm (5.0x)
Max aperture f/1.8-5.7 f/2.8-6.5
Macro focus distance 3cm -
Focal length multiplier 4.8 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3" 2.7"
Resolution of screen 922k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen tech TFT PureColor II G Touch screen LCD TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15 seconds 8 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 12.0 frames per sec 1.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 7.00 m 4.60 m
Flash options Auto, on, slow synchro, off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
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 support
Headphone support
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
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 217 grams (0.48 lb) 126 grams (0.28 lb)
Physical dimensions 100 x 59 x 29mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 1.1") 97 x 62 x 27mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 56 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 21.3 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 11.9 not tested
DXO Low light score 246 not tested
Other
Battery life 230 shots 160 shots
Type of battery Battery Pack AA
Battery model NB-6LH 2 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Launch cost $449 $294