Canon S90 vs Panasonic SZ10: A Hands-On Dive Into Two Compact Contenders

Choosing a compact camera can feel overwhelming with thousands of options, each promising incredible features. Today, we’re putting the Canon PowerShot S90 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ10 head to head to help you make an informed decision. Both cameras hail from an era when compact cameras reigned supreme before smartphones took over - a time when image quality, zoom versatility, and user control mattered immensely.

Having personally tested thousands of cameras over 15+ years, I will dissect their design, technology, and real-world performance across popular photography genres. We'll dive into technical characteristics and practical details, balancing pros and cons to match your style and budget. Whether you’re an enthusiast seeking creative control or someone looking for a versatile travel companion, this comparison aims to guide you to the right choice.

Meet The Contenders: Canon PowerShot S90 vs Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ10

Canon S90 (left) and Panasonic SZ10 (right): similar compact dimensions with slight variations in ergonomics.

First Impressions and Build Quality: Handling in Your Hands

Canon S90: Compact Precision with a Solid Grip

The S90 exudes a professional compact vibe with its all-metal body, robust and slightly heftier at 195 grams. Its rounded grip and button layout feel thoughtfully engineered for quick access in dynamic shooting conditions. The fixed lens doesn’t protrude much, which keeps it pocketable but tactile enough for firm handling.

Panasonic SZ10: Lightweight Zoom Flexibility

Weighing in at 177 grams, the SZ10 embraces portability and extends functionality with a 12x zoom lens. Its plastic construction is lighter but less premium-feeling than the S90. The tilting rear screen enhances low and high-angle shooting, a practical feature for vloggers or street shooters wanting discreet framing versatility.

Sensor and Image Quality: The Heart of Every Image

Comparative sensor sizes: Canon’s 1/1.7” vs Panasonic’s 1/2.3” CCD, impacting light-gathering capability.

Looking beyond megapixels, sensor size and technology are critical to image quality. The Canon S90 sports a larger 1/1.7” CCD sensor, about 41.52 mm², compared to Panasonic’s smaller 1/2.3” CCD sensor (27.72 mm²). Larger sensors typically yield better noise performance and dynamic range.

Resolution and Detail

Although the SZ10 offers 16 megapixels, in practice, the S90's 10 MP sensor produces more usable detail under various lighting conditions due to larger photosites capturing more light. The Panasonic’s 16 MP sensor can display more resolution on paper but often introduces more noise in low light.

Dynamic Range and Color Depth

Measurements from DxO mark the S90 with a color depth of 20.2 bits and 11 EV of dynamic range, respectable for its class, while the SZ10 was not tested but smaller sensors generally lag behind here. This difference manifests in highlights retention and color richness, particularly beneficial for landscape and portrait photography.

Lens and Zoom: Choosing Between Brightness and Reach

The S90 boasts a bright f/2.0 aperture at wide angle allowing excellent shallow depth of field and better low-light capabilities. For photographers emphasizing portraits or creative bokeh, this is a standout feature. Its 3.8x zoom adequately covers common everyday focal lengths.

In contrast, the SZ10 provides a more extensive 12x zoom range reaching 288 mm equivalent - great for travel, wildlife at a distance, or exploring tight composition without changing position. However, its smaller maximum aperture up to f/6.3 reduces light intake, requiring higher ISOs or slower shutter speeds at telephoto lengths.

Autofocus and Exposure Control: How Easily Can You Capture the Moment?

Canon S90 Autofocus

Equipped with a 9-point contrast-detection AF system, the S90 offers single-area, multi-area, and live view focusing modes, but no face or animal eye detection. It lacks continuous AF for moving subjects, capping continuous shooting at a modest 1 fps. Manual focusing is supported, beneficial for macro or precise control.

Panasonic SZ10 Autofocus

Similarly featuring 9 contrast-detection points, the SZ10 improves tracking with continuous AF, allowing smoother focusing on subject movement. Uniquely for the pair, the SZ10 displays face detection support, beneficial for portraits and group photography.

Exposure Modes

The S90 excels with manual exposure control - shutter priority, aperture priority, and full manual modes - catering to creative enthusiasts who want full command. The SZ10 limits you to automatic modes without shutter or aperture priority, curtailing creative experimentation.

Top view design comparison: S90’s control dials offer tactile operation vs SZ10’s simplified button layout.

Screen and Viewfinder: Framing Your Shots

Both cameras lack electronic viewfinders, relying on LCD screens for composition.

• Canon S90: Fixed 3” LCD with 461k dots. The fixed position may limit composition angles but the resolution supports clear review of images.
• Panasonic SZ10: Also a 3” LCD, almost identical resolution at 460k dots, but with a tilting design that enhances flexibility when shooting at difficult angles or for selfies.

Neither camera offers touchscreen capabilities, which is not uncommon for their release periods.

Rear LCD screen comparison: S90’s fixed display compared to SZ10’s versatile tilting screen.

Video Capabilities: Beyond Still Photography

If video is a priority, the differences become pronounced.

• Canon S90: Records video at 640x480 pixels (VGA resolution) at 30 fps using H.264 compression. This is quite basic and not suitable for HD content creation.
• Panasonic SZ10: Offers 1280x720 pixels (720p HD) video at 30 fps with Motion JPEG compression. The better resolution and tilting screen make it more capable for casual video use.

Neither camera provides microphone or headphone ports, limiting advanced audio control. Image stabilization aids steadiness during handheld recording on both models.

Battery Life and Storage: Constant Companions on Your Journey

The Panasonic SZ10 lists approximately 200 shots per charge - typical for compact cameras with smaller batteries - while the S90's battery life is not explicitly stated but generally better due to proprietary NB-6L lithium-ion batteries and more power-efficient operation.

Both cameras use standard SD/SDHC cards. The SZ10 also supports SDXC and includes internal storage, whereas the S90 indicates compatibility with MMC formats, which is less common today.

Connectivity and Extras: Staying Connected with Your Workflow

Connectivity favors the SZ10 thanks to built-in wireless capabilities, though limited. The S90 relies on USB 2.0 and HDMI output for data transfer and display.

Neither camera includes Bluetooth, NFC, GPS, or touchscreen functionality, reflecting their earlier generation design philosophies.

Sample Images and Real-World Performance: What You Can Expect

Canon S90 screen back Panasonic SZ10 front Panasonic SZ10 screen back

From practical testing, the Canon S90 produces cleaner images at higher ISO levels (up to ISO 3200 native) with pleasing color accuracy and smoother tonal gradations. Its lens optics deliver sharper edges especially at wide apertures, favoring portraits and indoor shots.

The Panasonic SZ10, while offering higher megapixels, shows more image noise above ISO 800 and tends to have more muted colors. However, its long zoom is unmatched, capturing distant subjects such as wildlife or architectural details better than the S90 ever could.

Performance Ratings and Genre-Specific Scoring

Strengths and Weaknesses Recap

Canon PowerShot S90

Strengths:

• Larger sensor with superior image quality and dynamic range
• Bright f/2.0 aperture lens allowing creative depth of field
• RAW file support for professional post-processing
• Full manual exposure modes
• Solid build with excellent ergonomics

Weaknesses:

• Limited zoom range (3.8x) can feel restrictive outdoors
• VGA video only, less useful for multimedia creators
• No wireless connectivity or modern interfaces

Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ10

Strengths:

• Impressive 12x superzoom lens covering wide to telephoto
• Tilting LCD screen improves framing versatility
• HD 720p video recording for richer video content
• Smaller, lighter, and more wallet-friendly
• Built-in wireless transfer abilities

Weaknesses:

• Smaller sensor with limited low light and noise control
• No RAW support or comprehensive manual controls
• Slower maximum aperture limits performance in challenging light
• Plastic build feels less premium

Who Should Choose Which?

Choosing is mostly about priorities.

• Go for the Canon S90 if:
  You value image quality, manual control, portrait or macro photography. The brighter lens and RAW files will let you push creative boundaries and polish your photos professionally. It’s suitable for travel enthusiasts wanting compact reliability without sacrificing control.

• Opt for the Panasonic SZ10 if:
  You need a versatile all-in-one superzoom for travel or casual shooting. Its longer reach with a compact frame makes it an ideal budget-friendly choice for everyday snaps, wildlife and landscapes in good light, or easy HD video capture.

Wrapping Up: Which Compact Still Holds Up?

Despite being announced 5 years apart, both cameras reveal their unique strengths. The Canon PowerShot S90 remains a compelling choice for those who prioritize image quality and creative flexibility in a compact package. Its f/2.0 lens and manual controls still punch above their weight in 2024, especially with RAW workflow.

The Panasonic Lumix SZ10 embraces zoom versatility and approachable ease for casual users and travelers who prize reach over raw performance and want simple HD videos.

Final Checklist: What to Consider Before Buying

• Do you need RAW image files or prefer automatic JPEG? (Canon vs Panasonic)
• How important is zoom range versus aperture brightness?
• Will you shoot in low light or prioritize macro and portrait shots?
• Is HD video recording and display flexibility a key factor?
• What is your budget ceiling for a compact camera?

Pro Tip from Our Experience:

Try to hold both cameras if possible - ergonomics, button placement, and ease of use in your hand are as important as specs. Also, check sample images online for your favorite subjects to compare color and detail re-creation.

Ready to explore further? Check out accessories like fast SD cards and spare batteries that match your selected camera to get the best out of your compact companion. Whether you pick the classic image-maker Canon S90 or the zoom-happy Panasonic SZ10, both offer rewarding creative experiences.

Happy shooting!