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Canon SD960 IS vs Panasonic SZ1

Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
27
Overall
31
Canon PowerShot SD960 IS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1 front
Portability
95
Imaging
39
Features
34
Overall
37

Canon SD960 IS vs Panasonic SZ1 Key Specs

Canon SD960 IS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.8" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-112mm (F2.8-5.8) lens
  • 145g - 98 x 54 x 22mm
  • Revealed February 2009
  • Also Known as Digital IXUS 110 IS
Panasonic SZ1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 131g - 99 x 59 x 21mm
  • Revealed January 2012
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Canon SD960 IS vs Panasonic SZ1 Overview

In this write-up, we will be comparing the Canon SD960 IS and Panasonic SZ1, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by brands Canon and Panasonic. There exists a huge gap between the image resolutions of the SD960 IS (12MP) and SZ1 (16MP) but they enjoy the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The SD960 IS was manufactured 3 years earlier than the SZ1 and that is quite a significant gap as far as technology is concerned. Each of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before diving through a detailed comparison, below is a concise summary of how the SD960 IS grades vs the SZ1 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon SD960 IS over the Panasonic SZ1

 SD960 IS SZ1 

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ1 over the Canon SD960 IS

 SZ1 SD960 IS 
RevealedJanuary 2012February 2009Fresher by 35 months
Screen sizing3"2.8"Bigger screen (+0.2")

Common features in the Canon SD960 IS and Panasonic SZ1

 SD960 IS SZ1 
Focus manually Lack of manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kExact same screen resolution
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither contains Touch friendly screen

Canon SD960 IS vs Panasonic SZ1 Physical Comparison

In case you're intending to carry your camera, you will have to factor in its weight and proportions. The Canon SD960 IS has got outside measurements of 98mm x 54mm x 22mm (3.9" x 2.1" x 0.9") along with a weight of 145 grams (0.32 lbs) while the Panasonic SZ1 has measurements of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") with a weight of 131 grams (0.29 lbs).

Look at the Canon SD960 IS and Panasonic SZ1 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you have at that time. Below is the front view measurements comparison of the SD960 IS and the SZ1.

Canon SD960 IS vs Panasonic SZ1 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SD960 IS and SZ1 is 95 and 95 respectively.

Canon SD960 IS vs Panasonic SZ1 top view buttons comparison

Canon SD960 IS vs Panasonic SZ1 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it can be hard to visualize the gap between sensor sizing purely by going over specs. The graphic below will offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the SD960 IS and SZ1.

As you can plainly see, both cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit different megapixels. You should count on the Panasonic SZ1 to offer greater detail due to its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop photographs far more aggressively. The older SD960 IS is going to be behind in sensor innovation.

Canon SD960 IS vs Panasonic SZ1 sensor size comparison

Canon SD960 IS vs Panasonic SZ1 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SD960 IS vs Panasonic SZ1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SD960 IS as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic SZ1 as a Portrait photography camera
26
includes face detection focusing
focusing manually not possible
no manual control
can't use external flash
low resolution sensor (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW files
34
decent megapixels (16MP)
includes face detect focus
no manual focus
lack of manual mode
can't use external flash
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Street Comparison

Canon SD960 IS Street photography info
Panasonic SZ1 Street photography info
57
has image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW files
63
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (131 grams)
no moving screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon SD960 IS
Sports photography with Panasonic SZ1
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
max fps low (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
low resolution sensor (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
40
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16MP)
includes tracking focus
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SD960 IS as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic SZ1 as a Travel photography camera
58
has built in flash
really wide (28mm)
lack of Time Lapse mode
low resolution sensor (12MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
70
lighter than competition (131g)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (25mm)
long reach (250mm)
missing Time Lapse function
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SD960 IS as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic SZ1 as a Landscape photography camera
37
really wide (28mm)
screen size is decent (2.8 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
no manual control
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW files
lack of Time Lapse mode
43
reasonably wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
lack of manual mode
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
missing Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD960 IS Vlogging advice
Panasonic SZ1 Vlogging advice
31
really wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detection focusing
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is not selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of external mic port
32
reasonably wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detect focus
lighter than competition (131g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing mic port
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Canon SD960 IS vs Panasonic SZ1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD960 IS and Panasonic SZ1
 Canon PowerShot SD960 ISPanasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1
General Information
Brand Name Canon Panasonic
Model type Canon PowerShot SD960 IS Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1
Other name Digital IXUS 110 IS -
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2009-02-18 2012-01-09
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
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 12 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4000 x 3000 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 1600 6400
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 9 23
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-112mm (4.0x) 25-250mm (10.0x)
Largest aperture f/2.8-5.8 f/3.1-5.9
Macro focusing range 2cm 4cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.8 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen technology - TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15s 8s
Maximum shutter speed 1/1600s 1/1600s
Continuous shooting speed 1.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 4.00 m 5.60 m
Flash options Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4
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
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 145 gr (0.32 pounds) 131 gr (0.29 pounds)
Dimensions 98 x 54 x 22mm (3.9" x 2.1" x 0.9") 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 - 250 pictures
Form of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID NB-4L -
Self timer Yes (2, 10, Custom, Face) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/HD /MMCplus SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots One One
Launch cost - $179