Canon S90 vs Panasonic SZ5
92 Imaging
34 Features
42 Overall
37


95 Imaging
37 Features
34 Overall
35
Canon S90 vs Panasonic SZ5 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 10MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 3200
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 640 x 480 video
- 28-105mm (F2.0-4.9) lens
- 195g - 100 x 58 x 31mm
- Revealed April 2010
- Replacement is Canon S95
(Full Review)
- 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 1600 (Push to 6400)
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
- 136g - 104 x 58 x 21mm
- Launched July 2012

Canon S90 vs Panasonic SZ5 Overview
In this article, we will be reviewing the Canon S90 and Panasonic SZ5, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by companies Canon and Panasonic. There exists a considerable gap among the image resolutions of the S90 (10MP) and SZ5 (14MP) and the S90 (1/1.7") and SZ5 (1/2.3") use totally different sensor sizes.

The S90 was announced 3 years earlier than the SZ5 which is a fairly large difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).
Before diving through a comprehensive comparison, below is a quick view of how the S90 grades vs the SZ5 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Canon S90 vs Panasonic SZ5 Gallery
The following is a preview of the gallery images for Canon PowerShot S90 & Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5. The whole galleries are viewable at Canon S90 Gallery & Panasonic SZ5 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon S90 over the Panasonic SZ5
S90 | SZ5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | More precise focus | ||
Screen resolution | 461k | ![]() | 230k | Sharper screen (+231k dot) |
Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ5 over the Canon S90
SZ5 | S90 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | July 2012 | ![]() | April 2010 | More modern by 27 months |
Common features in the Canon S90 and Panasonic SZ5
S90 | SZ5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen sizing | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equivalent screen dimensions |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither provides selfie screen | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Neither provides Touch screen |
Canon S90 vs Panasonic SZ5 Physical Comparison
For those who are intending to carry around your camera often, you will want to think about its weight and proportions. The Canon S90 provides external measurements of 100mm x 58mm x 31mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 1.2") and a weight of 195 grams (0.43 lbs) and the Panasonic SZ5 has measurements of 104mm x 58mm x 21mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 0.8") along with a weight of 136 grams (0.30 lbs).
Compare the Canon S90 and Panasonic SZ5 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember that, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are utilising at the time. Below is the front view size comparison of the S90 vs the SZ5.

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the S90 and SZ5 is 92 and 95 respectively.

Canon S90 vs Panasonic SZ5 Sensor Comparison
Quite often, it is very difficult to envision the contrast in sensor sizes simply by looking through specifications. The pic here should offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the S90 and SZ5.
To sum up, both of the cameras offer different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The S90 using its bigger sensor will make getting shallow depth of field less difficult and the Panasonic SZ5 will result in extra detail with its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop pictures a little more aggressively. The more aged S90 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor innovation.

Canon S90 vs Panasonic SZ5 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon S90 vs Panasonic SZ5 Specifications
Canon PowerShot S90 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Canon | Panasonic |
Model | Canon PowerShot S90 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5 |
Type | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Compact |
Revealed | 2010-04-08 | 2012-07-18 |
Body design | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | Digic 4 | - |
Sensor type | CCD | 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 | 10 megapixel | 14 megapixel |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 16:9 | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Highest resolution | 3648 x 2736 | 4320 x 3240 |
Highest native ISO | 3200 | 1600 |
Highest boosted ISO | - | 6400 |
Lowest native ISO | 80 | 100 |
RAW images | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
AF touch | ||
AF continuous | ||
AF single | ||
AF tracking | ||
Selective AF | ||
AF center weighted | ||
Multi area AF | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detection focusing | ||
Contract detection focusing | ||
Phase detection focusing | ||
Number of focus points | 9 | 23 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 28-105mm (3.8x) | 25-250mm (10.0x) |
Highest aperture | f/2.0-4.9 | f/3.1-5.9 |
Macro focus range | 5cm | 5cm |
Focal length multiplier | 4.8 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Range of screen | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen sizing | 3 inches | 3 inches |
Resolution of screen | 461k dot | 230k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch friendly | ||
Screen tech | - | TFT Screen LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 15s | 8s |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/1600s | 1/1600s |
Continuous shooting speed | 1.0fps | 2.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Custom WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash range | 6.50 m | 5.60 m |
Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync |
Hot shoe | ||
AEB | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Maximum flash sync | 1/500s | - |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) | 1280 x 720p ( 30,25 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25 fps) |
Highest video resolution | 640x480 | 1280x720 |
Video file format | H.264 | MPEG-4 |
Microphone jack | ||
Headphone jack | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | Built-In |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental seal | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 195g (0.43 pounds) | 136g (0.30 pounds) |
Dimensions | 100 x 58 x 31mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 1.2") | 104 x 58 x 21mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 0.8") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around score | 46 | not tested |
DXO Color Depth score | 20.2 | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range score | 11.0 | not tested |
DXO Low light score | 185 | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery life | - | 250 pictures |
Battery form | - | Battery Pack |
Battery model | NB-6L | - |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) | Yes (2 or 10 secs) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Storage media | SD, SDHC, MMC, MMCplus, HC MMCplus card | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal |
Storage slots | Single | Single |
Launch cost | $599 | $195 |