• 1/2.5 inch 24.7mm2
  • 8.0 megapixels
  • 35.00mm - 140.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1 inch 116.2mm2
  • 20.1 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 250.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Canon A590 IS advantages over Panasonic ZS100

  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 450 vs 300 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Lighter weight
    221g vs 309g
    Lighter weight

Panasonic ZS100 advantages over Canon A590 IS

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    1 inch vs 1/2.5 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 2.41 vs 1.76 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs No
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • 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
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • More telephoto lens reach
    250 mm vs 140 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/2000 vs 1/500 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Newer
    9 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
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More dots on screen
    1040k vs 115k 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
    0.10 vs 0.51 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More pixels
    20.1 vs 8.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Wider angle lens
    25 mm vs 35 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 15 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    9.9 fps vs 1.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 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.

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • 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
  • Hot shoe
    Neither provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Panasonic ZS100

Review Excerpt

  • Compact camera body; versatile 10x zoom lens; relatively good high ISO performance; fast autofocus; many good 4K video and photo features.

  • Soft lens at longer focal lengths; no tilting display; small electronic viewfinder; slippery finish on the camera body.

The Competition

Compared to Canon A580

Canon A590 IS
Canon A580
  • $219
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Less shutter lag
  • $150
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup
Panasonic ZS100
Canon A580
  • $498
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $150
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Fast startup
  • Longer stills battery life

Compared to Canon E1

Canon A590 IS
Canon E1
  • $219
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Manual focus
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
  • $200
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Thinner
Panasonic ZS100
Canon E1
  • $498
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $200
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Thinner

Compared to Canon A1000 IS

Canon A590 IS
Canon A1000 IS
  • $219
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Manual focus
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
  • $200
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Thinner
Panasonic ZS100
Canon A1000 IS
  • $498
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $200
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Thinner

Compared to Sony RX100 VI

Canon A590 IS
Sony RX100 VI
  • $219
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Lighter weight
  • $949
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Panasonic ZS100
Sony RX100 VI
  • $498
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $949
  • 1 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Tiltable Screen

Compared to Sony RX100 VII

Canon A590 IS
Sony RX100 VII
  • $219
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Lighter weight
  • $1298
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Panasonic ZS100
Sony RX100 VII
  • $498
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $1298
  • 1 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Tiltable Screen
Compare Other Cameras?