Canon S90 vs Panasonic GF3X

Cameras
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Canon S90 vs Panasonic GF3X

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1/1.7 inch 43.3mm²
10.0 megapixels
28.00mm - 105.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Canon S90 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the S90.

4/3 224.9mm²
12.1 megapixels

Go in depth with our full Panasonic GF3X Review.

Succeeded by the Canon S95
Compare S90 vs S95
Compare Canon S95 vs Panasonic GF3X

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Differences

Canon S90 advantages over Panasonic GF3X

Less expensive
$430 vs $750 (MSRP)
Save money for lenses or accessories
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Higher max flash sync
1/500 vs 1/160 sec
Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
Higher extended ISO
12800 vs 6400 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Panasonic GF3X advantages over Canon S90

Larger sensor
4/3 vs 1/1.7 inch
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 4.33 vs 2.08 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Higher effective ISO

Higher effective ISO

Maximum effective ISO is an estimate of the highest sensitivity at which a camera can capture excellent quality photos.

Cameras with higher effective ISO will be better choices for indoor photography, night shooting, and indoor sports photography, especially if you intend to make large prints.

You can learn more at our glossary entry.

Maximum effective ISO test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
GF3X test data on DxO Mark S90 test data on DxO Mark

459 vs 185 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

340 vs 220 shots
Capture more photos
Manual focus
Yes vs No
AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
HDMI out
HDMI out vs None
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
More pixels
12.1 vs 10.0 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Shoots 60p video
Yes vs No
A faster framerate can give you more editing options
Longer exposure
60 vs 15 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Faster shutter
1/4000 vs 1/1600 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

Rear display
Both provide
Review photos on the back of the camera
RAW file ability
Both provide
Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
Internal flash
Both provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash

Common Weaknesses

Focus peaking
Neither provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Tilt-swivel screen
Neither provide
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Eye-level viewfinder
Neither provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
In-camera panoramas
Neither provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Tiltable Screen
Neither provide
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
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
Hot shoe
Neither provide
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
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

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Buy the Canon S90

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Buy the Panasonic GF3X

Review Excerpt

Read our Canon S90 Review

We haven’t reviewed the Panasonic GF3X.
Read our Panasonic GF3X Preview

The Competition

Compared to Canon S95

Canon S90

Canon S95

$430
1/1.7 inch

Higher effective ISO
Less shutter lag

$428
1/1.7 inch

HDMI out
Shoots 24p video

Compare Canon S90 vs Canon S95

Panasonic GF3X

Canon S95

$750
4/3

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$428
1/1.7 inch

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Panasonic GF3X vs Canon S95

Compared to Panasonic GF2

Canon S90

Panasonic GF2

$430
1/1.7 inch

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$617
4/3

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Canon S90 vs Panasonic GF2

Panasonic GF3X

Panasonic GF2

$750
4/3

Touchscreen
More telephoto lens reach

$617
4/3

Tiltable Screen
Higher effective ISO

Compare Panasonic GF3X vs Panasonic GF2

Compared to Canon S100

Canon S90

Canon S100

$430
1/1.7 inch

Higher effective ISO
Bigger JPEG buffer

$429
1/1.7 inch

Built-in GPS
Manual focus

Compare Canon S90 vs Canon S100

Panasonic GF3X

Canon S100

$750
4/3

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$429
1/1.7 inch

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Panasonic GF3X vs Canon S100

Compared to Panasonic GF5

Canon S90

Panasonic GF5

$430
1/1.7 inch

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$450
4/3

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Canon S90 vs Panasonic GF5

Panasonic GF3X

Panasonic GF5

$750
4/3

$450
4/3

Higher effective ISO
More dynamic range

Compare Panasonic GF3X vs Panasonic GF5

Compared to Canon S110

Canon S90

Canon S110

$430
1/1.7 inch

Higher effective ISO
Bigger JPEG buffer

$249
1/1.7 inch

Touchscreen
Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Canon S90 vs Canon S110

Panasonic GF3X

Canon S110

$750
4/3

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$249
1/1.7 inch

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Panasonic GF3X vs Canon S110

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