Panasonic Lumix Camera Review

Ever since testing the Canon PowerShot 300 Hs recently, I have started to take a new stance towards these low light compacts that are now becoming increasingly popular. Of course, I still conspiratorially (or rather not so secretly) harbor the feeling that larger compacts cameras like the PowerShot G11 and Panasonic Lx3 would be much better. Now with the Lx3's successor, the Panasonic Lumix Lx5 available, I was eager to pit it to the test with the Canon PowerShot S95, which was also released very recently.

Are the Canon S95 and Panasonic Lx5 much best than their predecessors?

Well seeing at the specs, I would have to say... No. Not particularly. Both Canon S95 and Panasonic Lumix Lx5 have 10 megapixels sensor resolution. However, the longer focal range of Lx5 over the Lx3 and the inclusion of Hd movie in the S95, do make both newer cameras a more keen option to the older models.

However, seeing at the specs only tells you so much so to get a feel for how these new cameras unquestionably are, we'll need to take some photos.

Lx5 vs S95 - Look, Feel & Handling

The Canon PowerShot S95 is of course the more ageement of the two cameras. With the improved hand-operated ring, using advanced features like hand-operated focus still feels very comfortable. Mind you, I don't have what Kai would call sausage fingers... Using the Panasonic Lumix Lx5, I immediately consideration the increasing of the rear dial. For changing settings while shooting, I found it to be a very comfortable and beneficial increasing but I have to confess that I did not like it so much when I was using it for hand-operated focus. I unquestionably felt best using the multi-selector in that case so it may just be a case of preference.

The more excellent styling of the Lx5 would of course continue to petition to those who find it synonymous with capability imaging but the S95 is no slouch in that group either. With its more streamlined body, I was ready to try slipping the camera into the front pockets of my jeans, something I would not do with the Lx5. The S95 is truer as a ageement camera with the Lx5 feeling more of a downsized Gf1 for me. If you are likely to make use of the hot shoe, then obviously the Lx5 is the definite choice.

Iso Test

With both cameras boasting great image quality, we were eager to test out how they fare in an Iso shootout in low light situations. All shots were taken with aperture Priority at f/5.6 at practically the same focal length with centre spot focusing and evaluative exposure.

The carrying out for both is quite similar under normal lighting conditions although the noise handling of the Canon PowerShot S95 seems to trump the Panasonic Lumix Lx5 a bit.

What do we think?

Looking at the night shots at Iso 1600 and Iso 3200, I was quite surprised that I found the S95 samples best exposed and with crisper details. Sure, the Canon PowerShot S95 was marketed as a low light devotee but the idea that it can best the pedigree of the Panasonic Lx-series in image capability is unquestionably a real affirmation for the Hs law of the S95. This makes taking the S95 with you to supper parties or just a night out a unquestionably good option. I would only recommend the Lx5 to those who unquestionably need to shoot at very high shutter speeds such as 1/2000 to 1/4000 seconds which is something the S95 cannot do. Of course, if you prefer to shoot with an optical or electronic viewfinder, the Lx5 is again the only valid option of the two. These are of course big factors for choosing the Panasonic Lumix Lx5 but as I am seeing at them in terms of high image capability compacts, I will have to say that the Canon PowerShot is the winner for me.