Digital Camera Review

Digital Camera Review

Jul 31, 2006 - By Patrick Singleton
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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Spec Comparison  
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H5
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ7
 Canon PowerShot S3 IS
Megapixels
7.2
6
6
Price
$499.99 (list)
$399.95 (list)
$499.99 (list)
Dimensions
4.3x3.6x3.2”
4.4x2.8x3.1”
4.5x3.0x3.1”
Lens
6-72mm f/2.8-3.7
6-72mm f/2.8-3.3
6-72mm f/2.7-3.5
Dust and Moisture seals
Ports are covered with a rubber cap, but media/ battery door is not sealed. Telescoping lens is not well-sealed.
Ports are not sealed. Media/battery door is not sealed. Telescoping lens is not well-sealed.
Ports are covered with a rubber cap, but media/ battery door is not sealed. Telescoping lens is not well-sealed.
Camera Controls
Front dial adds speed and convenience, but direct controls are limited, apparently because the LCD takes up so much space. Zoom control is better than the competition.
A joy stick and a 4-way controller add flexibility to interface. Direct controls are basic, but it's easy to access vital shooting controls.
Design of individual buttons and dials is careful and excellent. The S3 has more buttons than the other cameras, with good access to vital shooting controls. Small LCD leaves plenty of room for all those buttons.
Menus
The H5's menus are typical of Cyber-shot cameras. The menu button brings up a bar along the bottom of the screen, which shows menu headings. The user can navigate the headings with the 4-way controller. The live view shows behind the menu items. The interface is clean and appealing, but it's slower to use than the more conventional tabbed interface or Canon's Function menu.
The FZ7 has the most conventional menu interface among these cameras. The menu button calls up a tabbed interface for shooting, setup and playback, which is displayed in a large, readable typeface. The system is not as quick at the S3's method, but most menu items are well-placed, with the important ones high on the list, and the obscure ones buried.
  
The S3 has two menu interfaces. The conventional one brings up a tabbed interface for shooting, setup and playback. The Function menu brings up a column of icons along the side of the live preview, allowing control of a range of shooting options. It's an efficient and clear system.
 
 
 
 
Flash
Flash reaches nearly 30 ft, but the H5 does not accept external flashes
Flash reaches less than 20 ft, and the FZ7 does not accept external flashes
Flash reaches less than 20 ft, and the S3 does not accept external flashes
 
Model Design / Physical Tour Page 7 of 8 Overall Impressions / Conclusion
Sony H5 vs Canon S3 IS vs Panasonic FZ7: Head-to-Head-to-Head Digital Camera Review Navigation
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