Digital Camera Review

Digital Camera Review

Consumers with somewhere upwards of $400 or $500 to spend on a compact camera can get plenty of great features – long telephoto zooms, movie capability, and 6-to-7-megapixel files. We looked at three leading cameras in this category: the Canon PowerShot S3 IS, the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H5, and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ7. We found similarities and differences. All three cameras are capable, but the differences are significant enough that most users will have a clear favorite.
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Consumers with somewhere upwards of $400 or $500 to spend on a compact camera can get plenty of great features – long telephoto zooms, movie capability, and 6-to-7-megapixel files. We looked at three leading cameras in this category: the Canon PowerShot S3 IS, the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H5, and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ7. We found similarities and differences. All three cameras are capable, but the differences are significant enough that most users will have a clear favorite.

 
Review Overview - Advantage Chart
METERING/EXPOSURE/
FOCUS
 
 
 
Metering
Sony Cyber-shot H5
Exposure
Draw
Focus
 
Manual Focus
Canon PowerShot S3 IS
Auto focus       
Panasonic Lumix FZ7
 
 
STILL IMAGING PERFORMANCE / IMAGE QUALITY
 
 
 
Speed/Timing
 
Start-up to First Shot
Canon PowerShot S3 IS
Shot to Shot
Panasonic Lumix FZ7
Shutter to Shot
Sony Cyber-shot H5
 
 
Resolution
Panasonic Lumix FZ7
Image Stabilization
Canon PowerShot S3 IS
 
 
Color Fringing
Panasonic Lumix FZ7
Moiré
Sony Cyber-shot H5
Distortion
Sony Cyber-shot H5
Noise/High ISO Performance
Sony Cyber-shot H5
Low Light /Long Exposures
Sony Cyber-shot H5
Dynamic Range
Panasonic Lumix FZ7
Color
Canon PowerShot S3 IS
White Balance
Panasonic Lumix FZ7
Portrait
Canon PowerShot S3 IS
 
 
VIDEO CAPTURE
 
 
 
Control Options
Canon PowerShot S3 IS
Editing Features / Playback
Canon PowerShot S3 IS
 
 
Video Performance
 
Outdoor Scene
Canon PowerShot S3 IS
Motion / Compression
Canon PowerShot S3 IS
Image Stabilization
Canon PowerShot S3 IS
Color
Canon PowerShot S3 IS
Resolution
Panasonic Lumix FZ7
Low Light
Canon PowerShot S3 IS
Audio
Canon PowerShot S3 IS
 
 
COMPONENTS
 
 
 
Viewfinder
Sony Cyber-shot H5
LCD screen
Sony Cyber-shot H5
Flash
Sony Cyber-shot H5
Lens (controls)
Sony Cyber-shot H5
Macro Mode
Panasonic Lumix FZ7
Battery
Panasonic Lumix FZ7
 
 
MODEL DESIGN /  PHYSICAL TOUR
 
 
 
Model Design /Appearance
Canon PowerShot S3 IS
Handling
Panasonic Lumix FZ7
Front
Sony Cyber-shot H5
Back
Panasonic Lumix FZ7
Sides
Canon PowerShot S3 IS
Top
Canon PowerShot S3 IS
Bottom
Canon PowerShot S3 IS
 
 
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