• 1/2.5 inch 24.7mm2
  • 8.0 megapixels
  • 36.00mm - 432.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • 20.00mm - 1200.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Canon S5 IS advantages over Panasonic FZ70

  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 1.76 vs 1.34 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Thinner
    77 mm vs 118 mm
    Thinner
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 3 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/3200 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Panasonic FZ70 advantages over Canon S5 IS

  • Larger sensor
    1/2.3 inch vs 1/2.5 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Less expensive
    $400 vs $500 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • More telephoto lens reach
    1,200 mm vs 432 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Newer
    11 years vs 17 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • More dots on screen
    460k vs 207k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Less shutter lag
    0.12 vs 0.40 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More pixels
    16.1 vs 8.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Wider angle lens
    20 mm vs 36 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 15 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.0 fps vs 1.5 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    6400 vs 1600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bulb shutter
    Neither provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon S5 IS

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Panasonic FZ70
Panasonic FZ70

Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Fujifilm SL1000

Canon S5 IS
Fujifilm SL1000
  • $500
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $650
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Less expensive

Compare Canon S5 IS vs Fujifilm SL1000

Panasonic FZ70
Fujifilm SL1000
  • $660
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Shoots 60p video
  • $650
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • More dots on screen

Compare Panasonic FZ70 vs Fujifilm SL1000

Compared to Sony HX300

Canon S5 IS
Sony HX300
  • $500
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Fast startup
  • $600
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compare Canon S5 IS vs Sony HX300

Panasonic FZ70
Sony HX300
  • $660
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $600
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Tiltable Screen

Compare Panasonic FZ70 vs Sony HX300

Compared to Samsung WB2200F

Canon S5 IS
Samsung WB2200F
  • $500
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $675
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Canon S5 IS vs Samsung WB2200F

Panasonic FZ70
Samsung WB2200F
  • $660
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • RAW file ability
  • Hot shoe
  • $675
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • NFC

Compare Panasonic FZ70 vs Samsung WB2200F

Compared to Olympus SP-100

Canon S5 IS
Olympus SP-100
  • $500
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $600
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor

Compare Canon S5 IS vs Olympus SP-100

Panasonic FZ70
Olympus SP-100
  • $660
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • RAW file ability
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $600
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
  • Slow-motion videos

Compare Panasonic FZ70 vs Olympus SP-100

Compared to Fujifilm S9900W

Canon S5 IS
Fujifilm S9900W
  • $500
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $719
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking

Compare Canon S5 IS vs Fujifilm S9900W

Panasonic FZ70
Fujifilm S9900W
  • $660
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • RAW file ability
  • Hot shoe
  • $719
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Panasonic FZ70 vs Fujifilm S9900W

Compare Other Cameras?