Sony H5 vs Canon S3 IS vs Panasonic FZ7: Head-to-Head-to-Head Digital Camera Review

by Patrick Singleton
Published on July 31, 2006

Navigation
Intro	Metering / Exposure / Focus
Still Imaging Performance / Image Quality	Video Capture
Components	Model Design / Physical Tour
Spec Comparison	Overall Impressions / Conclusion

Model Design / Appearance (Advantage: Canon PowerShot S3 IS)
The Sony H5 is chunky, like other Cyber-shot models, and follows the company's style and typical layout. The curve of the fat lens barrel extends all the way to the back of the camera, so that the silhouette of the back is not rectangular. The Panasonic FZ7 looks like a very small generic DSLR with a flat back, square sides and viewfinder hump. The Canon S3 IS takes its cue from DSLRs as well, with specific points, like the sloped shoulders, from Canon's EOS series cameras. 

In terms of design, the H5 is clearly the most decadent, while the Panasonic is the most portable selection; all around, the Canon offers the most ergonomic design. 

Handling (Advantage: Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ7)
Handling comes down to basic controls and interface. Each of these cameras has a strong point or two. The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H5 has that very large LCD, and a good zoom control – much better than the others. The H5 has a real control dial on the grip, which is a faster interface for exposure control than the other cameras have. The Panasonic Lumix FZ7 has a sparse, straightforward interface, plus a joystick that facilitates several operations. The Canon PowerShot S3 IS has its tilt-and-pivot LCD, plus direct access to key features with dedicated buttons. The S3's dials and buttons are large and easy to use, and they're built well, so the user can operate them by feel.

If the H5's LCD were as good as it should be, given its size and resolution, it would have the best interface among these cameras. It falls short, though. The Canon PowerShot S3 IS's articulated LCD seems like nothing more than a gimmick, given how small the display is. The Panasonic Lumix FZ7's clean, simple interface has the advantage.

Front (Advantage: Sony Cyber-shot H5)
The Cyber-shot DSC-H5 has a large grip and a large lens assembly. It has a control dial on its hand grip. The Lumix DMC-FZ7 and the Cyber-shot DSC-H5 have smaller grips and lens mounts, and lack the front control dial, though they both have zoom controls around their shutter releases, which require roughly the same motion to use. All in all, the Cyber-shot DSC-H5 has the less conventional, more appealing front.

The most notable feature on the back of any of these cameras is the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H5's 3-inch LCD. It's typical for the controls on super-compact cameras to have to make room for the LCD, but here, it happens on a compact super-zoom. The H5 has relatively few controls on the back, so the controls aren't crowded, but are fewer and closer together than the ones on the FZ7 or the S3. The FZ7 features both a 4-way controller and a joy stick, giving the designers a range of options for camera control. The S3 has a row of buttons like the ones on Canon DSLRs.

The Sony H5's 3-inch display is remarkable, but it's not a real advantage. It's not as sharp as it should be, doesn't refresh well, and it's noisy. The Lumix FZ7's controls are extensive and well-arranged; the FZ7's larger display proved much more legible than the rotating LCD on the S3. 

Sides (Advantage: Canon PowerShot S3 IS)

The Lumix FZ7 has the least appealing sides of the three cameras, mainly because its ports are covered with a flimsy plastic door rather than the rubber covers that both the Cyber-shot DSC-H5 and the PowerShot S3 IS sport. The rubber covers seal out dirt and moisture better and are more durable. The S3's manual focus and macro controls are on the left side of the lens, which is a convenient spot for them.

The Canon PowerShot S3 IS's rubber port covers and focus controls exalt its sides above the competition.

Top (Advantage: Canon PowerShot S3 IS)
All three cameras have large mode dials on their top decks. The Lumix FZ7's dial is smaller than the others, and less convenient to use. The Canon PowerShot S3 IS's dial overhangs the back of the camera, making it particularly easy to operate. The Lumix FZ7's dial includes a setting for its playback mode. The S3 IS goes into playback through its power switch, and the DSC-H5 has a dedicated button for playback, so that users can enter playback without switching the shooting mode, so the S3 and the H5 are more convenient to use that way. Both the H5 and the FZ7 have switches for image stabilization on the top deck. It doesn't make sense that the switches have such prominent placement – most users ought to simply leave it turned on whenever they shoot, so it ought to be a menu item.

The Canon PowerShot S3 IS's top controls are the most convenient and sensible. 
 

The PowerShot S3 IS's battery door has a separate latch holding it shut, while the Lumix FZ7 and the Cyber-shot DSC-H5 rely on friction and a sliding latch fit. Latches are more durable, more secure closures. The H5's door has a second hinge, to allow the user to change the memory card without opening the battery compartment. At the rate the H5 goes though batteries, that doesn't seem necessary. Worse, the door has more parts and is more breakable, and the added complexity doesn't add any useful functionality.

The Canon PowerShot S3 IS has the advantage.