Canon PowerShot SX210 IS vs Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH27: Which Compact Canon Superzoom or Panasonic Compact Wins Your Pocket?

Choosing the right compact camera in today’s smartphone-heavy world demands real performance to justify a dedicated shooter. In this detailed comparison, I put the Canon PowerShot SX210 IS and Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH27 head-to-head - two late-model compact cameras that target casual enthusiasts who want more than a phone but less complexity than an advanced mirrorless.

With over 15 years of hands-on camera testing under my belt, this article dives deeply into their specs, real-world handling, imaging prowess, and usability across various photography genres. Whether you’re after portraits, landscapes, wildlife snaps, or travel companions, read on to see which model truly fits your shooting styles and budget.

First Impressions: Size and Ergonomics in Your Hands

For many photographers, pocketability and intuitive controls can shape the entire shooting experience. Both Canon SX210 IS and Panasonic FH27 are compact cameras designed for easy portability, but their dimensions and ergonomics differ enough to impact comfort and stability during use.

• Canon SX210 IS: Weighing 220g with dimensions of 103 x 61 x 38 mm, this small sensor superzoom is moderately sized for a compact, offering a solid feel with a well-contoured grip. It strikes a balance between pocketable and capable, especially given its 14x zoom range.
• Panasonic FH27: Smaller and lighter at 152g and 99 x 57 x 28 mm, the FH27 is sleeker and easier to slip into smaller pockets or bags. Its more rounded edges create a less pronounced grip but increase ease for casual snapshots.

In practical testing, the Canon’s extra bulk translates into better handheld stability for longer telephoto shots, whereas the Panasonic’s reduced mass emphasizes portability but at the expense of slightly more camera shake when zoomed in. Choose the SX210 if you prioritize steadier telephoto images, or the FH27 if you want the lightest possible carry.

Top Controls and Interface: How Intuitive Are They?

When speed counts - especially in street, sports, or wildlife photography - how quickly you can adjust settings makes a big difference. Let’s look at the control layouts and interface responsiveness.

The Canon SX210 IS features physical buttons arranged logically, with manual control modes such as shutter priority, aperture priority, and full manual exposure - all rare and impressive for a compact. This appeals to enthusiasts who want creative control without lugging bulky gear.

The Panasonic FH27 lacks dedicated manual modes and relies mostly on automatic exposures and program modes. Its touchscreen LCD complements this with basic touch autofocus and menu navigation, but it doesn’t replace the tactile feedback pros appreciate.

My findings: If you value quick dialing of parameters and manual control, the SX210 IS’s button layout and dedicated dials outperform the FH27’s touchscreen-based interface, which is more suited to casual point-and-shoot users.

Sensor Specifications and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

Both cameras pack a 1/2.3" CCD sensor - a tried-and-true size for compact cameras. Yet, differences in resolution, processor technology, and maximum ISO affect final image quality.

While the Panasonic claims slightly higher resolution at 16 megapixels versus 14 for the Canon, my practical testing found the Canon’s DIGIC 4 processor yields better noise management and color fidelity at higher ISOs. The Panasonic’s ability to shoot at ISO 6400 is enticing on paper but in reality results in noisier images with diminished detail due to the relatively small sensor size.

Additionally, the Canon produces slightly richer colors and sharper edges, benefiting from Canon’s refined image pipeline. Both cameras’ anti-alias filters soften fine detail somewhat, typical for consumer compacts.

Bottom line on image quality: For clean, well-saturated images, especially in low light, the Canon SX210 IS has a mild edge despite the lower megapixel count.

Screen and Viewfinder Usability: Composing Your Shot

Neither camera offers an electronic viewfinder, so you’ll rely fully on LCD screens. Their quality and features affect shooting convenience.

• Both have 3-inch fixed type LCDs with 230k pixel resolution, standard for their era.
• The Panasonic FH27 boasts a touchscreen, allowing for touch focusing and easier menu navigation, while the Canon relies solely on physical buttons for adjustments.
• Both screens get reasonably bright and perform well in daylight, but neither is particularly high resolution by modern standards.

During real-world tests, the touchscreen on the Panasonic speeds up basic operation, especially for novices. However, in bright outdoor sunlight or when wearing gloves, physical buttons on the Canon proved more reliable.

Zoom Lenses and Macro Capability: Flexibility in Framing

Fixed lenses define versatility in superzoom compacts. The Canon SX210 IS offers a 14x zoom vs Panasonic’s 8x zoom, with differences in maximum aperture and close-up abilities.

The Canon’s 14x zoom spotlights telephoto reach at almost 400 mm equivalent - useful for wildlife or distant sports subjects. The Panasonic top out at 224 mm, better suited for casual shooting or travel where large zoom ranges add bulk or weight.

Both cameras achieve excellent macro focusing starting at 5 cm from the subject, enabling sharp close-ups of flowers or small products. Optical image stabilization on both models aids handheld shots, but usage becomes increasingly crucial at the extended telephoto range of the Canon.

In practice, the Canon’s longer zoom offers more framing flexibility; the Panasonic is more compact but limits reach.

Autofocus Performance and Speed: Capturing the Moment

Fast and accurate autofocus is critical across wildlife, sports, and street photography scenarios. Each camera employs contrast-detection AF, which impacts responsiveness differently.

The Panasonic has more AF points and supports face detection as well as basic tracking and touch AF - a clear advantage for casual users capturing moving subjects or people. The Canon lacks face detection entirely and AF tracking.

During my hands-on testing focusing on quick action subjects, I found Panasonic’s autofocus more versatile and faster in locking onto faces and general subjects, especially in good lighting. However, in low light, both struggled similarly due to the inherent limits of contrast detection and small sensor size.

Burst Shooting and Video: How Do They Compare?

Continuous shooting can help capture fleeting moments, while video capabilities are increasingly relevant for multimedia creators.

The Panasonic’s 4 frames per second burst offers more chances to catch moving subjects compared to the Canon’s slower 1 fps. Canon’s slower rate makes it a tough choice for action-oriented photography.

Video-wise, both record up to 720p HD, adequate for casual use but well behind today’s 4K standard. Canon’s use of the more efficient H.264 codec means better video compression quality, whereas Panasonic uses the older Motion JPEG, resulting in larger file sizes.

Neither camera supports external microphone input, limiting professional video use, and both rely on optical stabilization for smoother handheld recording.

Battery Life and Storage Options

No photographer wants to miss shots due to battery panic or limited storage formats.

The Panasonic gives an official runtime estimate of ~250 shots per charge, which in practical use lasts through moderate day trips with some video. The Canon does not list official battery life but with the NB-5L’s modest capacity typically lasts around 200–250 shots in my experience.

Panasonic also sports limited internal storage as a buffer, which can accommodate some shots if you forget your SD card, a convenient fail-safe absent from Canon.

Connectivity and Extras

Modern cameras benefit hugely from wireless and external interface options.

The Canon supports Eye-Fi wireless memory cards, allowing basic Wi-Fi transfer capabilities with compatible accessories. The Panasonic lacks wireless functionality entirely.

The Canon includes a mini-HDMI output for viewing images on HD TVs or external monitors, an advantage for sharing or photo review. The Panasonic does not afford this option.

Real-World Photography Performance Across Genres

Portrait Photography

• Canon SX210 IS: Manual exposure controls allow better depth of field management and creative skin tone rendition. Lacking face detection limits autofocus ease.
• Panasonic FH27: Face detection with touch AF simplifies quick snaps. Good skin tones, but less depth control due to auto modes.

Landscape Photography

• Canon SX210 IS: Higher resolution and excellent dynamic range for a compact help capture fine details and contrast. Optics handle daylight well.
• Panasonic FH27: Slightly higher megapixels but marginally worse noise suppression. Less telephoto reach limits framing distant vistas.

Wildlife Photography

• Canon SX210 IS: 14x zoom and optical IS key advantages. Slower autofocus and burst speed hinder fast action capture.
• Panasonic FH27: Faster AF tracking and burst rate, but 8x zoom limits long-range shots.

Sports Photography

• Canon SX210 IS: 1 fps burst restricts capturing peak moments.
• Panasonic FH27: 4 fps burst rate assists in chasing action, though autofocus still not professional grade.

Street Photography

• Canon SX210 IS: Grip and controls enable discreet shooting with manual overrides.
• Panasonic FH27: Smaller size with touchscreen makes it a quick, pocketable point-and-shoot option.

Macro Photography

• Both models excel equally at close focusing (5 cm) with effective image stabilization, good for tabletop and nature close-ups.

Night / Astro Photography

• Both cameras’ limited max ISO and sensor technology restrict astrophotography potential. Canon’s better noise control marginally edges its night use.

Video Capabilities

• Both offer 720p HD, with Canon’s smoother 30 fps preferred over Panasonic’s 24 fps. Neither supports advanced video features.

Travel Photography

• Panasonic’s lighter weight, touchscreen ease, and more compact body favor travel convenience.
• Canon’s zoom flexibility and manual controls offer greater creative opportunity at the expense of a bit more bulk.

Professional Work

• Neither camera supports RAW file capture, an important limitation for professionals needing flexibility in post-processing.
• Fully manual controls on Canon are a plus but overall both cater more to enthusiasts than pros.

Canon SX210 IS screen back Panasonic FH27 screen back

This gallery shows side-by-side comparisons of identical test scenes, illustrating:

• Canon’s slightly punchier colors and cleaner shadows
• Panasonic’s smoother gradations sometimes compromised by more visible noise in shaded areas
• Both resolve subjects well at base ISO under daylight, but Canon retains detail better at higher ISOs.

Durability and Build Quality

Neither camera offers weather sealing or rugged protection, typical for consumer compacts of their generation. Neither is waterproof, dustproof, shockproof, crushproof, or freezeproof.

Build quality feels solid on both, but the Canon’s more substantial size lends a more durable impression, important if you shoot outdoors frequently.

Price-to-Performance Considerations

At launch, these cameras occupied similar price brackets around $225. In today’s used market, prices vary loosely but still reflect their entry-level compact categories.

Considering value, the Canon caters to those who want manual control and a versatile zoom lens, while the Panasonic appeals to users who value ease of use, faster AF, and lighter carry.

The overall performance ratings reflect a near-tie, each excelling in different areas:

• Canon wins in image quality and control variety.
• Panasonic leads in autofocus speed, burst rate, and intuitive touch interface.

This graphs detailed genre scores, confirming:

• Sports and wildlife: Panasonic slightly better due to AF and burst speed
• Portrait and landscape: Canon favored for image quality and control
• Travel and street: Panasonic benefits from compact form and touchscreen ease

Who Should Choose the Canon SX210 IS?

• Enthusiasts seeking creative control without a bulky DSLR
• Those valuing a powerful 14x zoom for travel, wildlife, or landscape close-ups
• Users prioritizing HDMI output for external viewing
• Photographers wanting manual exposure modes (shutter/aperture priority)
• Anyone prepared to trade speed for image quality and zoom reach

Who Should Opt for the Panasonic Lumix FH27?

• Casual users and beginners wanting automatic operation with convenient touchscreen controls
• Photographers who prioritize autofocus speed, face detection, and higher burst rates for action shots
• Travelers desiring a lightweight, pocket-friendly camera with decent zoom
• Video casualists wanting simple HD recording with easy controls
• Buyers on a tight budget preferring simplicity over manual options

Final Thoughts: Your Camera, Your Choice

Both the Canon PowerShot SX210 IS and Panasonic Lumix FH27 serve photography enthusiasts seeking compact, affordable cameras with moderate zoom ranges. Their strengths and weaknesses mean your choice depends on shooting style:

• Choose Canon SX210 IS if you want manual shooting flexibility, longer zoom range, reliable color and noise performance, and HDMI output.
• Choose Panasonic FH27 if you want quick autofocus, burst shooting, touchscreen convenience, smaller size, and ease of use.

Neither camera replaces a mirrorless or DSLR for professional work, nor supports RAW files or advanced video. But for point-and-shoot enthusiasts, they remain respectable performers nearly a decade after launch.

Why you can trust this analysis:
I’ve conducted exhaustive side-by-side testing in various environments and lighting conditions, comparing operational speed, image quality metrics, and user experience firsthand. No marketing fluff - just honest insights meant to help you select the camera that will best suit your photographic journey.

If you’re after compact reliability with some zoom and manual controls, the Canon SX210 IS is your best bet. If ease and speed in a featherweight package are paramount, Panasonic FH27 won’t disappoint.

Happy shooting! Feel free to ask any questions or share your experience with these cameras below.