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Introduction
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01.Metering / Exposure / Focus
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02.Still Imaging Performance / Image Quality
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03.Video Capture
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04.Components
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05.Model Design / Physical Tour
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06.Spec Comparison
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07.Overall Impressions / Conclusion
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08.Specs
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09.Comments
Sony H5 vs Canon S3 IS vs Panasonic FZ7: Head-to-Head-to-Head Digital Camera Review
Previous: Page 6
Spec ComparisonNext: Page 8
SpecsSony Cyber-shot DSC-H5 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ7 Canon PowerShot S3 IS
Advantages
Conclusion
The Canon PowerShot S3 IS, Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ7, and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H5 are closely matched in terms of image quality and performance. Their lenses have identical focal length ranges and very similar apertures. Their dimensions are close, and they are equally portable. For their target market, snapshooters who want some extra capabilities, all of the cameras are acceptable. However, there are clearly areas where each excels. While a clear winner is tough to distinguish, the cameras do differ substantially, with each offering advantages in certain types of situations.
The obvious difference between the three cameras is price: the Panasonic Lumix FZ7 costs $100 less than the others. The FZ7's other big advantages - a lithium-ion rechargeable battery, rather than AA cells, and excellent image stabilization - are also important, and reinforce the choice. For hybrid functionality, the Canon PowerShot S3 IS is clearly the favorite. With more practical controls and a strong advantage in nearly every form of video and audio quality, the S3 is the only camera of the three that truly approaches a hybrid designation. While the Sony is not as economic or versatile as the Panasonic or Canon alternatives, the Cyber-shot H5 also offers some features unavailable on the other two: namely, a large LCD and nice viewfinder. With an additional megapixel and substantial decadence, we suspect the H5 will find its way into the hands of a significant number of ultra zoom consumers.
Latest News
& Reviews
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11-Feb-2012
Canon PowerShot 320 HS First Impressions Review
Canon fleshes out the ELPH series with a somewhat plain touchscreen ultracompact. We’re just not sure how well this model will sell without the travel zoom barrel of its more expensive cousins. Read More...
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11-Feb-2012
Canon PowerShot 530 HS First Impressions Review
Canon guts their 500 HS and creates a tiny travel zoom from the leftovers. This could be a cool little camera, if the company can sort out some hardware issues. Read More...
Top Rated Digital Cameras
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Digital SLRs
Point & Shoots
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$1,129.001Canon EOS 60D
The Canon EOS 60D is a top-notch camera in terms of performance, handling and flexibility. However, the performance of the kit lens leaves something to be desired. Read full 7-part review
$1,129.00
$459.991Panasonic Lumix FZ150
Excellent image quality, speedy performance, and a great design add up to the best superzoom that has ever graced our labs. That distinction seems to change hands every week, but trust us when we say that the FZ150 is a truly great camera. Read full 16-part review
$459.99 -
$746.952Nikon D5100
The D5100 is the latest entry-level DSLR from Nikon, with full 1080/30p video, an articulated LCD, and the same image sensor as the D7000. It lacks an internal focus motor, but we found it produced some of the most accurate colors we've seen yet. Read full 7-part review
$746.95
$378.992Canon PowerShot SX40 HS
Canon's SX30 got a CMOS makeover that resulted in the SX40 HS, an impressive ultrazoom that captures beautiful shots in almost any scenario. Read full 16-part review
$378.99 -
$1,269.993Canon EOS 7D
The 18-megapixel Canon 7D delivers high resolution stills and full HD video in a well-built camera designed for serious photographers without the desire (or budget) for a full-frame model. Read full 7-part review
$1,269.99
$427.953Sony Cyber-shot HX100V
This professionally-geared ultrazoom offers some of the best color accuracy we've ever seen. It's a shame the other scores weren't quite so strong. Read full 16-part review
$427.95 -
$1,199.004Nikon D7000
The Nikon D7000 is a powerhouse camera at an excellent price. It offers a huge range of features that will make shooting quicker and easier for the experienced shooter, with lots of customizable options and quick control access. Read full 7-part review
$1,199.00
$314.954Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ47
Panasonic resists the urge to cram more megapixels and more focal length into their latest ultrazoom. The FZ47 instead focuses on image quality and features, resulting in an incredibly strong camera that we loved shooting with. Read full 16-part review
$314.95 -
$569.995Sony Alpha SLT-A55V
The SLT-A55 is a well performing SLR, with a wide ISO range, good color and relatively low noise. . Read full 7-part review
$569.99
$417.005Canon PowerShot S100
Canon's PowerShot S100 improves on the popular S95 and takes its place at the top of the point-and-shoot food chain. Read full 16-part review
$417.00
Features
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DigitalCameraInfo New Year's Giveaway
Check back every day for the rest of 2011 to see what we’re adding to the grand prize package. It all starts with the Sony NEX-5N and ends with over $4000 in prizes! Read More...
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DigitalCameraInfo.com 2011 Select Awards
After a year of tireless testing and deliberation, we’ve made our selections for the very best cameras of 2011. Read More...
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