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Canon SX1 IS vs Panasonic FH5

Portability
64
Imaging
33
Features
53
Overall
41
Canon PowerShot SX1 IS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH5 front
Portability
96
Imaging
39
Features
31
Overall
35

Canon SX1 IS vs Panasonic FH5 Key Specs

Canon SX1 IS
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.8" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-560mm (F2.8-5.7) lens
  • 615g - 128 x 88 x 88mm
  • Revealed March 2009
Panasonic FH5
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-112mm (F3.1-6.5) lens
  • 121g - 94 x 54 x 19mm
  • Announced January 2011
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-FS18
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Canon SX1 IS vs Panasonic FH5 Overview

Let's take a more detailed look at the Canon SX1 IS vs Panasonic FH5, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by competitors Canon and Panasonic. There exists a considerable gap between the image resolutions of the SX1 IS (10MP) and FH5 (16MP) but they use the same exact sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The SX1 IS was brought out 21 months before the FH5 making the cameras a generation away from one another. Both cameras offer different body type with the Canon SX1 IS being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Panasonic FH5 being a Compact camera.

Before delving through a complete comparison, below is a brief highlight of how the SX1 IS matches up vs the FH5 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX1 IS over the Panasonic FH5

 SX1 IS FH5 
Focus manually Very exact focusing
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display sizing2.8"2.7"Larger display (+0.1")
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Panasonic FH5 over the Canon SX1 IS

 FH5 SX1 IS 
AnnouncedJanuary 2011March 2009More modern by 21 months

Common features in the Canon SX1 IS and Panasonic FH5

 SX1 IS FH5 
Display resolution230k230kSame display resolution
Touch friendly display Neither features Touch friendly display

Canon SX1 IS vs Panasonic FH5 Physical Comparison

When you are looking to carry around your camera, you will want to factor its weight and volume. The Canon SX1 IS enjoys outside measurements of 128mm x 88mm x 88mm (5.0" x 3.5" x 3.5") and a weight of 615 grams (1.36 lbs) while the Panasonic FH5 has sizing of 94mm x 54mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.7") with a weight of 121 grams (0.27 lbs).

See the Canon SX1 IS vs Panasonic FH5 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you select at the time. Below is the front view proportions comparison of the SX1 IS against the FH5.

Canon SX1 IS vs Panasonic FH5 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SX1 IS and FH5 is 64 and 96 respectively.

Canon SX1 IS vs Panasonic FH5 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX1 IS vs Panasonic FH5 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it can be hard to envision the difference between sensor sizes purely by reading through specs. The picture underneath may provide you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the SX1 IS and FH5.

All in all, both of these cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but not the same MP. You can anticipate the Panasonic FH5 to give more detail having its extra 6MP. Greater resolution will also let you crop images far more aggressively. The more aged SX1 IS is going to be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.

Canon SX1 IS vs Panasonic FH5 sensor size comparison

Canon SX1 IS vs Panasonic FH5 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX1 IS vs Panasonic FH5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX1 IS Portrait photography details
Panasonic FH5 Portrait photography details
46
you can focus manually
great flash sync speed (1/500s)
supports face detect focusing
saves RAW files
resolution not great (10MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
34
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
offers face detection autofocus
no manual focus
lack of manual mode
no external flash support
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon SX1 IS Street photography highlights
Panasonic FH5 Street photography highlights
56
screen articulates
has image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW files
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
more heavy than competitors (615g)
67
has image stabilization (Optical)
boasts touch focus
lighter than average in class (121 grams)
no moving screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX1 IS Sports photography advice
Panasonic FH5 Sports photography advice
33
amazing zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
continuous shooting slow (4.0 frames/s)
resolution not great (10MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
40
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
offers tracking autofocus
max frames per second very slow (4.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX1 IS Travel photography details
Panasonic FH5 Travel photography details
52
flash built-in
selfie friendly screen
fairly wide (28mm)
great zoom (560mm)
lack of Timelapse function
more heavy than competitors (615 grams)
resolution not great (10MP)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
71
lighter than average in class (121g)
boasts touch focus
megapixel count good (16MP)
has built in flash
decently wide (28mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon SX1 IS
Landscape photography with Panasonic FH5
44
you can focus manually
fairly wide (28mm)
good sized screen (2.8")
has image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW files
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
resolution not great (10MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of Timelapse function
38
decently wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
lack of manual mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
doesn't have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX1 IS Vlogging features
Panasonic FH5 Vlogging features
57
fairly wide (28mm)
selfie friendly screen
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
lack of microphone socket
more heavy than competitors (615 grams)
33
decently wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection autofocus
lighter than average in class (121 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
display is not selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have external mic socket
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Canon SX1 IS vs Panasonic FH5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX1 IS and Panasonic FH5
 Canon PowerShot SX1 ISPanasonic Lumix DMC-FH5
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Panasonic
Model type Canon PowerShot SX1 IS Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH5
Also Known as - Lumix DMC-FS18
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2009-03-27 2011-01-05
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by - Venus Engine IV
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 3648 x 2736 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 1600 6400
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 9 11
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-560mm (20.0x) 28-112mm (4.0x)
Largest aperture f/2.8-5.7 f/3.1-6.5
Macro focusing range 0cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Type of display Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display size 2.8 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of display 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15 seconds 60 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/3200 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 4.0 frames/s 4.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 5.20 m 3.30 m
Flash settings Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/500 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (60, 30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic port
Headphone port
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 sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 615g (1.36 lb) 121g (0.27 lb)
Dimensions 128 x 88 x 88mm (5.0" x 3.5" x 3.5") 94 x 54 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.7")
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 - 260 pictures
Form of battery - Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec or custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/MMC card SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Cost at launch $600 $169