• 1/1.7 inch 43.3mm2
  • 10.0 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 105.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/1.63 inch 46.2mm2
  • 10.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 90.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Canon S90 advantages over Panasonic LX5

  • Less expensive
    $430 vs $500 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • More telephoto lens reach
    105 mm vs 90 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Higher effective ISO
    185 vs 132 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • Thinner
    30 mm vs 43 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    175g vs 271g
    Lighter weight
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 3 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Panasonic LX5 advantages over Canon S90

  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 400 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
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Wider angle lens
    24 mm vs 28 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 15 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    1.8 fps vs 0.9 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/1600 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • 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
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • 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
  • 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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Review Excerpt

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 LX5
Canon S95
  • $550
  • 1/1.63 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Manual focus
  • $428
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Panasonic LX5 vs Canon S95

Compared to Leica D-LUX 5

Canon S90
Leica D-LUX 5
  • $430
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $700
  • 1/1.63 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Manual focus

Compare Canon S90 vs Leica D-LUX 5

Panasonic LX5
Leica D-LUX 5
  • $550
  • 1/1.63 inch
  • Less expensive
  • $700
  • 1/1.63 inch

Compare Panasonic LX5 vs Leica D-LUX 5

Compared to Olympus XZ-1

Canon S90
Olympus XZ-1
  • $430
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $500
  • 1/1.63 inch
  • Fast startup
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Canon S90 vs Olympus XZ-1

Panasonic LX5
Olympus XZ-1
  • $550
  • 1/1.63 inch
  • Higher effective ISO
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $500
  • 1/1.63 inch
  • Fast startup
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Panasonic LX5 vs Olympus XZ-1

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 LX5
Canon S100
  • $550
  • 1/1.63 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Hot shoe
  • $429
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Panasonic LX5 vs Canon S100

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 LX5
Canon S110
  • $550
  • 1/1.63 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Hot shoe
  • $249
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen

Compare Panasonic LX5 vs Canon S110

Compare Other Cameras?