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Canon SD1200 IS vs Panasonic ZS5

Portability
95
Imaging
33
Features
17
Overall
26
Canon PowerShot SD1200 IS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5 front
Portability
92
Imaging
35
Features
30
Overall
33

Canon SD1200 IS vs Panasonic ZS5 Key Specs

Canon SD1200 IS
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 35-105mm (F2.8-4.9) lens
  • 160g - 86 x 55 x 22mm
  • Launched February 2009
  • Alternate Name is Digital IXUS 95 IS
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
  • Released June 2010
  • Also Known as Lumix DMC-TZ8
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Canon SD1200 IS vs Panasonic ZS5 Overview

Below is a detailed overview of the Canon SD1200 IS and Panasonic ZS5, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by companies Canon and Panasonic. The resolution of the SD1200 IS (10MP) and the ZS5 (12MP) is pretty close and both cameras provide the same sensor size (1/2.3").

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The SD1200 IS was brought out 16 months earlier than the ZS5 which makes them a generation apart from one another. Both of the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before delving straight to a thorough comparison, here is a quick synopsis of how the SD1200 IS matches up versus the ZS5 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Canon SD1200 IS over the Panasonic ZS5

 SD1200 IS ZS5 

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS5 over the Canon SD1200 IS

 ZS5 SD1200 IS 
ReleasedJune 2010February 2009More recent by 16 months
Screen dimensions2.7"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.2")

Common features in the Canon SD1200 IS and Panasonic ZS5

 SD1200 IS ZS5 
Focus manually No manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kEqual screen resolution
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch screen Lack of Touch screen

Canon SD1200 IS vs Panasonic ZS5 Physical Comparison

If you are looking to lug around your camera, you're going to have to factor in its weight and measurements. The Canon SD1200 IS has external measurements of 86mm x 55mm x 22mm (3.4" x 2.2" x 0.9") and a weight of 160 grams (0.35 lbs) whilst the Panasonic ZS5 has proportions of 103mm x 60mm x 32mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") and a weight of 214 grams (0.47 lbs).

Take a look at the Canon SD1200 IS and Panasonic ZS5 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you have chosen at that moment. Here is a front view scale comparison of the SD1200 IS and the ZS5.

Canon SD1200 IS vs Panasonic ZS5 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SD1200 IS and ZS5 is 95 and 92 respectively.

Canon SD1200 IS vs Panasonic ZS5 top view buttons comparison

Canon SD1200 IS vs Panasonic ZS5 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it's difficult to picture the contrast in sensor measurements only by looking through technical specs. The photograph underneath should offer you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the SD1200 IS and ZS5.

As you have seen, each of these cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit different resolution. You can expect the Panasonic ZS5 to provide you with extra detail having its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop photographs a bit more aggressively. The older SD1200 IS will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor technology.

Canon SD1200 IS vs Panasonic ZS5 sensor size comparison

Canon SD1200 IS vs Panasonic ZS5 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SD1200 IS vs Panasonic ZS5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SD1200 IS as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic ZS5 as a Portrait photography camera
25
provides face detection focus
no manual focus
manual mode not possible
external flash not possible
low resolution sensor (10MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
27
includes face detection focusing
no manual focus
no external flash support
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon SD1200 IS
Street photography with Panasonic ZS5
56
image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
61
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (214 grams)
screen is fixed
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Canon SD1200 IS Sports photography details
Panasonic ZS5 Sports photography details
24
image stabilization (Optical)
max fps very slow (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
low resolution sensor (10 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
31
image stabilization (Optical)
includes tracking autofocus
low max shutter speed (1/1,300s)
max frames per second low (2.0 fps)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon SD1200 IS Travel photography advice
Panasonic ZS5 Travel photography advice
51
built-in flash
no Timelapse recording
low resolution sensor (10MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not good (35mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
63
lighter than competition (214 grams)
flash built-in
pretty wide (25mm)
great reach (300mm)
no Time Lapse function
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SD1200 IS Landscape photography advice
Panasonic ZS5 Landscape photography advice
27
image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (35mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
small screen (2.5 inches)
manual mode not possible
low resolution sensor (10 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
no Timelapse recording
33
pretty wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
tiny screen (2.7")
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
no Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD1200 IS as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic ZS5 as a Vlogging camera
28
image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detection focus
wide angle not good (35mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video res low (640 x 480 pixels)
no external microphone support
31
pretty wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detection focusing
lighter than competition (214g)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen is not selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
no external mic port
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Canon SD1200 IS vs Panasonic ZS5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD1200 IS and Panasonic ZS5
 Canon PowerShot SD1200 ISPanasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5
General Information
Company Canon Panasonic
Model type Canon PowerShot SD1200 IS Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5
Otherwise known as Digital IXUS 95 IS Lumix DMC-TZ8
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2009-02-18 2010-06-16
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip - Venus Engine HD II
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 10MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 3648 x 2736 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 1600 6400
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 9 11
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 35-105mm (3.0x) 25-300mm (12.0x)
Max aperture f/2.8-4.9 f/3.3-4.9
Macro focusing distance 3cm 3cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.5" 2.7"
Screen resolution 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (tunnel) None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15s 60s
Fastest shutter speed 1/1500s 1/1300s
Continuous shutter speed 1.0 frames per sec 2.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 3.50 m 5.30 m
Flash modes Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 160g (0.35 lb) 214g (0.47 lb)
Physical dimensions 86 x 55 x 22mm (3.4" x 2.2" x 0.9") 103 x 60 x 32mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 260 images -
Form of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID NB-6L -
Self timer Yes (2, 10, Custom, Face) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/HD MMCplus SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Pricing at release $250 $300