• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  •  
  • 1/1.7 inch 43.3mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 120.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Panasonic G2 advantages over Canon S100

  • Larger sensor
    4/3 vs 1/1.7 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.33 vs 1.90 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Fast startup
    ~1.00 vs 2.4 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Higher effective ISO
    493 vs 153 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 360 vs 200 shots
    Capture more photos
  • 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
  • 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 shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Canon S100 advantages over Panasonic G2

  • Less expensive
    $430 vs $800 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • More dynamic range
    11.6 vs 10.3 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Integrated ND filter
    Yes vs No
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • Thinner
    26 mm vs 74 mm
    Thinner
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/2000 vs 1/160 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    9.2 fps vs 3.3 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

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
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

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
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • 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
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Your purchases support this site

Review Excerpt

  • Slimmer than past models; 12-megapixel resolution sensor improves on image quality across ISO range; Video includes 1080p, autofocus, and zoom during recording; HDR mode works well.

  • Costs $30 more; Slight buzz when zooming while recording video; Grip isn't as useful as it could be; Slow autofocus.

The Competition

Compared to Panasonic G10

Panasonic G2
Panasonic G10
  • $800
  • 4/3
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $600
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
Canon S100
Panasonic G10
  • $429
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $600
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Canon S95

Panasonic G2
Canon S95
  • $800
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $428
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Canon S100
Canon S95
  • $429
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Built-in GPS
  • Manual focus
  • $428
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
  • Higher extended ISO

Compared to Panasonic G5

Panasonic G2
Panasonic G5
  • $800
  • 4/3
  • Bigger pixels
  • Fast startup
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • Touchscreen
  • More dots on screen
Canon S100
Panasonic G5
  • $429
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Built-in GPS
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Panasonic GH3

Panasonic G2
Panasonic GH3
  • $800
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels
  • $798
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen
Canon S100
Panasonic GH3
  • $429
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $798
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compared to Canon S110

Panasonic G2
Canon S110
  • $800
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $249
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Canon S100
Canon S110
  • $429
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Built-in GPS
  • $249
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
Compare Other Cameras?