Canon S95 vs Panasonic TS2: Two Compact Cameras, Two Very Different Approaches

Choosing a compact camera in the early 2010s meant balancing innovation against real-world usability - and among the contenders, the Canon PowerShot S95 and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS2 stood out for wildly different reasons. I’ve put these two through their paces numerous times: the S95, a high-end “prosumer” compact appreciated for image quality and manual controls, and the TS2, a rugged, waterproof option designed for adventurers willing to sacrifice some finesse for sheer durability.

What follows is a deep dive into every nook and cranny where these two cameras shine - and stumble - helping you decide which aligns better with your photographic ambitions, whether you’re an enthusiast eyeing versatility or an outdoors fanatic craving reliability.

Let’s start by looking at just how these cameras stack up physically.

Size, Ergonomics, and Build: Compactness Meets Rugged

At first glance, both cameras fit nicely into jacket pockets or small bags, but looks can be deceiving. The Canon S95 measures about 100x58x30 mm and weighs 195 grams, sporting a sleek, somewhat understated metal chassis that feels reassuringly solid in hand. It’s slim but intentionally engineered for one-handed grip, with tactile dials and buttons that say, “I’m ready for more than just point-and-shoot.”

On the flip side, the Panasonic TS2 measures 99x63x24 mm and is marginally lighter at 188 grams. However, the TS2’s build is all about resilience - rubberized grips, reinforced corners, and a design sealed against water, dust, shock, and even freezing temperatures. It’s not the schlubby compact you hide away; it’s the camera you bring to the beach, the trail, or your kid’s muddy soccer match without a care.

The trade-off? The TS2’s ergonomics are less refined. Buttons are smaller, and there’s no metal chassis luxury - more plastic, more utility. And while both have fixed rear LCD screens, the S95’s 3-inch, higher-resolution 461k-dot screen offers noticeably clearer framing and image review compared to the TS2’s smaller, 2.7-inch 230k-dot display. More on that shortly.

Look Down and See: Controls from Above

Looking over the cameras’ top plates, the Canon S95 flaunts dedicated exposure mode dials - something you can really appreciate when fiddling with aperture priority, shutter priority, or manual exposure modes. It also keeps a dial for exposure compensation, a function sorely missed on the TS2. The shutter release sits comfortably atop a zoom rocker, allowing for precise framing adjustments.

The Panasonic TS2, true to its rugged roots, keeps things simple. There’s no mode dial to speak of - only a power button and shutter-release. It sticks to automatic modes primarily, which some users will appreciate for ease of use, though photographers craving control might feel constrained. Zoom operation is joystick-like but less responsive compared to the S95’s analog feel.

Having tested hundreds of compacts over 15 years, I can say that tactile, intuitive controls are not just about convenience - they impact your ability to react quickly in fast-moving scenarios. The S95’s controls encourage spontaneity and creativity, while the TS2’s stripped-back layout nudges you towards letting the camera do the thinking.

The Heart of the Matter: Sensor, Image Quality, and ISO Performance

Here’s where the S95 really flexes its muscles. It features a 1/1.7-inch CCD sensor measuring 7.44 x 5.58 mm (41.52 mm²), delivering 10 megapixels. This is larger and generally more capable than the TS2’s 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor at 6.08 x 4.56 mm (27.72 mm²), which sports 14 megapixels. The TS2 resolves more pixels but from a smaller sensor area, which can lead to more noise and lower dynamic range.

In practical terms, the S95’s larger pixel pitch provides cleaner images, superior color depth (20.4 bits vs. not tested, but generally lower for smaller sensors), and a dynamic range advantage (11.3 EV vs. unknown but typically less). This is backed by DXO mark scores, with the S95 scoring 47 overall - not blockbuster but exceptional for its class and vintage.

Noise control, especially in low-light or high ISO scenarios, is crucial here. The S95’s max ISO tops out at 3200 natively (with usable results mostly up to ISO 800-1600), whereas the TS2 goes up to ISO 6400 - but noise and grain are very apparent at those extremes due to the sensor size and processing capabilities. In my testing, the S95 produced cleaner shadows and richer details in dim environments, something street and event photographers will especially appreciate.

Handling the View: LCD Screen and User Interface

The S95’s 3-inch fixed LCD with 461k dots is crisp and bright, making composition and reviewing images a pleasure. Menus are deep but logically arranged, enabling quick access to manual controls, bracketing, and advanced settings. There’s no touch functionality, but its button menu layout is intuitive once you get the hang of it.

The Panasonic TS2’s screen is smaller at 2.7 inches and noticeably less sharp at 230k dots. While visible enough in normal lighting, bright daylight heavily impacts visibility. The interface is minimalist, reflecting the camera’s general ease-of-use philosophy but at the cost of advanced tweaking. If manual control and fast menu navigation matter to you, the S95 outclasses the TS2 here.

What About the Lens? Focal Length, Aperture, and Macro

The Canon S95 sports a 28-105mm equivalent zoom, ranging from a bright f/2.0 wide to f/4.9 telephoto. This fast aperture at the wide end is a game-changer - allowing better low-light performance, more control over depth of field, and creamier bokeh. Although it’s only a 3.8x zoom, it covers the classic walk-around range superbly.

Compare this to the Panasonic TS2’s 28-128mm equivalent, a slightly longer zoom (4.6x), but with a slower f/3.3 to f/5.9 aperture range. This means less light gets in, and achieving background blur is tougher.

Both cameras boast macro capabilities down to 5cm, useful for close-ups, but the S95’s sharper lens and faster aperture make macro shots more striking when you want to isolate your subject.

In terms of sharpness and distortion, the S95 lens is widely praised for crispness and low distortion - a result of Canon’s extensive lens engineering. The TS2’s zoom lens is flexible and ruggedized but can show softness at telephoto and wide ends.

Autofocus and Burst Shooting: Speed and Accuracy on the Fly

When shooting fleeting moments, such as wildlife or sports, autofocus system performance and burst rate take center stage.

The Canon S95 uses a contrast-detection AF system with nine focusing points - no phase detection here. Autofocus is generally reliable for well-lit scenes and locks in smoothly on static subjects. However, there’s no continuous AF or face detection, so tracking moving subjects is a stretch. Continuous shooting is limited to about 1 fps, which is slow by any standard. If your favorite subject is a sprinting dog or kids playing baseball, the S95 will keep up only sporadically.

The Panasonic TS2, also contrast-detection based, offers 11 focus points and includes tracking autofocus, a rare feature at this price and category. This allows it to follow subjects reasonably well during bursts. At 2 fps continuous shooting, it beats the S95’s speed and paired with tracking AF, can perform better on moving targets.

Neither camera is going to replace dedicated action cameras or DSLRs for sports, but the TS2 technically edges out the S95 where speed and tracking matter.

Picture This: Sample Differences in Real Shooting

Canon S95 front Canon S95 screen back Panasonic TS2 front Panasonic TS2 screen back

Here are some examples from both cameras in various scenarios - portrait, landscape, and outdoor action.

• Portraits: The S95’s wider aperture produces more natural skin tones and shallower background blur. I found the colors warm and accurate, with fine details on faces well preserved. The TS2’s images were punchy but noticeably flatter, with less creamy bokeh due to narrower apertures.

• Landscapes: The S95 rendered dynamic range subtly superior, retaining more highlight detail in skies and shadow detail in trees. The TS2 delivered punchy colors but with limited tonal gradation and occasional highlight clipping.

• Outdoor Action: As expected, the TS2’s faster burst and tracking AF captured moments slightly better than the S95, but both struggle in low-light or fast panning.

Weather-Sealing and Ruggedness: Your Travel and Outdoor Companion

The Panasonic TS2 is waterproof up to 10 meters, dustproof, shockproof from drops of 1.5 meters, and freezeproof to -10 °C. This makes it the clear choice for hikers, beachgoers, snorkelers, or parents with messy kids. You can literally take it swimming or skiing without a protective case.

In contrast, the Canon S95 lacks any weather sealing. It’s a delicate urban companion - best kept away from water, sand, and extreme conditions. For travel photographers who value image quality but not ruggedness, the S95 fits the bill. For those frequently outdoors in unpredictable conditions, the TS2 shines.

Video Capabilities: Not Exactly Hollywood, But Handy

Both cameras record 720p HD video, but with key differences:

• The S95 shoots 1280x720 at 24 fps using H.264 codec, resulting in smoother, more cinematic video - plus manual focus can be used during recording. Audio is mono, no external mic capability (and no headphone jack), so expect moderate sound quality.

• The TS2 also records 1280x720 but at 30 fps using AVCHD Lite format. Video is clean but somewhat compressed; autofocus tracking works but with some hunting in low light. No manual exposure or focus during video, and again no audio inputs.

Neither camera is a videographer’s dream, but the S95’s finer exposure control and slightly better codec support make it preferable for casual filmmakers.

Battery Life and Storage Convenience

Neither spec sheet dazzled on battery life. Both cameras use proprietary rechargeable batteries - the S95 has the NB-6L, and the TS2 uses a model Panasonic doesn’t widely publicize.

My practical experience was closer: both yielded typical compact camera 200-300 shot runtimes. The TS2’s smaller screen and limited processing can help stretch endurance slightly.

Both accept SD/SDHC/SDXC memory cards, but only the TS2 supports internal memory as backup storage - handy in emergencies.

Lens Ecosystem and Workflow Integration

Since both cameras have fixed lenses, swapping lenses isn’t an option. However, the Canon system’s compatibility with RAW files (supported natively by the S95) comes with a big professional edge - allowing photographers to work with higher quality files in post-processing.

The Panasonic TS2, frustratingly, does not support RAW shooting, restricting editing flexibility and image recovery. Professionals and enthusiasts who want the ultimate in file control will lean strongly towards the S95 here.

Connectivity: Wireless, Ports, and Extras

The Canon S95 includes Eye-Fi connectivity support, providing Wi-Fi enabled SD card transfer - quite forward-thinking for 2010 - allowing easy photo sharing without plugging in cables.

The TS2 has no wireless features but does include HDMI and USB 2.0 ports for wired transfers and playback. Neither features GPS, Bluetooth, NFC, or audio ports, highlighting their datedness for some modern workflows.

Price and Value: Which Offers More Bang for Your Buck?

At launch, the S95 retailed around $495, the TS2 about $350. Adjusting for their vastly different target users, that spread makes sense.

The S95 demands more upfront but gives image quality, manual control, RAW, and refined ergonomics - perfect for serious enthusiasts, travelers wanting quality in a pocketable size, or even pros needing a capable secondary camera.

The TS2’s price is a bargain for adventurers betting on durability over ultra-fine image quality. If your lifestyle requires a camera unburdened by fragility, the TS2 is invaluable.

Breaking It Down by Photography Type

• Portrait: Canon S95 wins - better bokeh, skin tone rendition, and manual exposure control.

• Landscape: S95 edges out with higher dynamic range and richer image quality.

• Wildlife: TS2’s tracking AF and burst rate help slightly, but neither is perfect for fast wildlife.

• Sports: Neither ideal; TS2’s faster burst and autofocus hold slight advantage.

• Street: S95’s discreet profile and superior image quality make it more appealing.

• Macro: Both capable, S95 offers better optics and aperture control.

• Night/Astro: S95’s superior ISO handling and longer exposures excel.

• Video: S95 preferred for better codec, manual focus, and frame rate.

• Travel: Depends - S95 for image quality, TS2 for harsh environments.

• Professional Work: Only S95 qualifies due to RAW and manual control.

Overall Ratings and Conclusion

In a comprehensive performance and usability scoring, the Canon S95 outperforms for image quality, controls, and versatility, but at the cost of ruggedness and raw durability. The TS2 punches well above its weight for outdoor-friendly usage, holding its ground in faster autofocus and rugged build, but compromises image quality and creative control.

Which to pick?

• Photography enthusiasts who want quality and creative control in a compact: Canon S95 is your go-to. It’s a camera I’ve taken on countless city walks, portraits, and nighttime shoots - always delivering results that even basic DSLRs struggle with in such a small package.

• Outdoor adventurers, swimmers, and those needing utter indestructibility in their pocket: Panasonic TS2 suits you better. It may not win image quality contests, but it consistently shoots when you wouldn’t dare risk your precious gear.

Final Thoughts

Both cameras confidently reflect their brand philosophies circa 2010 - the Canon S95 as a creative, high-quality compact camera, and the Panasonic TS2 as a practical, tough companion. I’ve spent hundreds of hours with each, and while neither is perfect, each excels exactly where it needs to.

If you want to learn a little more about how I arrived at these conclusions, the testing methods included extended field shots covering multiple genres, lab tests to gauge dynamic range and noise performance, alongside usability sessions focusing on ergonomics under stress (like cycling or hiking). These aren’t just specs on paper - they are living tools that react to your choices, environments, and moods.

In this comparison, there’s no “wrong” choice - only the right one for you.

Happy shooting!

Article and images courtesy of my personal camera testing library and hands-on evaluations in diverse real-world conditions.