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Introduction
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01.Product Tour
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02.Color
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03.Noise
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04.Resolution
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05.Video
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06.Sample Photos
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07.Playback
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08.Hardware
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09.Controls
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10.Design & Handling
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11.Canon SD970 Comparison
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12.Samsung HZ15W Comparison
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13.Sony T900 Comparison
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14.Conclusion
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15.Photo Gallery
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16.Comments
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX580
Previous: Page 10
Design & HandlingNext: Page 12
Samsung HZ15W ComparisonCanon SD970 Comparison
While the Canon SD970 IS and Panasonic Lumix FX580 have a similar price point, they offer very different experiences. The Panasonic is designed around user control and manual options, but had issues with image quality, where the Canon is light on controls but high on image quality.
The SD970 is easier on the eyes, and on the hands. It has a higher-resolution screen (though without touch controls), and a nicer interface. In terms of image performance it outdid the Panasonic in every metric we measure, boasting more accurate color, lower noise, sharper images, stronger image stabilization, higher speed and better video mode. When it comes to which camera takes better photos, there’s absolutely no contest.
But then there’s the issue of control. The FX580 is a photographer’s camera. It has a slew of controls you normally only see in SLRs (like white balance microadjustments), and manual, aperture priority and shutter priority modes are a huge draw for users who want a high degree of control over the camera.
| Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX580 vs Canon PowerShot SD970 IS | ||
|---|---|---|
 |
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| Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX580 | Canon PowerShot SD970 IS | |
| Price | $399.99 | $379.99 |
| Colors | silver, black | silver with gold |
| Dimensions | 95.0mm x 22.0mm x 57.0mm | 94.742mm x 26.416mm x 56.896mm |
| Optical Zoom | 5x | 5x |
| Sensor | 1/2.33"-type, CCD, 12.7 megapixels | 1/2.3"-type, CCD, 12.4 megapixels |
| Display | touchscreen LCD, 3.0 in., 230000 pixels | LCD, 3.0 in., 461000 pixels |
| Viewfinder | none | none |
| Manual Controls | aperture priority mode, shutter priority mode, full manual exposure, custom white balance, ISO control | custom white balance |
| Connectivity | USB, A/V, component out | A/V, USB, microHDMI |
| Battery | removable lithium-ion, DMW-BCF10 | removable lithium-ion, NB-5L |
Shop for the Panasonic DMC-FX580
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