Canon ELPH 510 HS vs Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS10: A Deep Dive Into Two Compact Superzooms

When stepping into the world of small sensor superzoom cameras, the choices can be bewildering. Today, I’m putting two entry-level compacts head-to-head: the Canon ELPH 510 HS and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS10 (also known as the TZ20/TZ22 in some regions). Both were launched around the same era and share similar categories, but they offer different toolkits tailored to varied photographic needs.

Drawing from over 15 years of hands-on experience and extensive testing routines, this comparison cuts through the specifications sheet to reveal how these cameras perform when it matters most - in your hands under real-world conditions. Whether you’re a casual traveler, street shooter, or just starting to explore photography, this guide will help you understand which of these compact superzooms is truly the right fit. Let’s begin.

First Impressions: Size, Feel, and Ergonomics

Compact cameras promise portability, but size and handling go beyond mere convenience; they influence how comfortably and intuitively you can shoot.

The Canon ELPH 510 HS measures a sleek 99x59x22 mm and weighs just 206 grams, clearly built for pocketability. Its smooth, minimalistic body emphasizes simplicity with fewer protrusions or external controls, which benefits casual shooters who want hassle-free snapping.

In contrast, the Panasonic ZS10 is marginally larger at 105x58x33 mm, and noticeably heavier at 219 grams. This is due to a more robust lens barrel and a body that suggests a leaning towards enthusiasts who want a bit more manual control and grip confidence.

The Canon’s compactness shines in street and travel photography, where discreteness and lightweight are prized, while Panasonic’s marginally bigger size affords a bit more to grip, useful when shooting at telephoto lengths.

Design Language and Control Layout

I always pay close attention to button placement and menu systems, as they can make or break your shooting flow.

The Canon ELPH 510 HS has a simplified top layout with a relatively large shutter button and zoom toggle, but no dedicated manual control dials or exposure modes beyond automatic. This confirms its positioning as a point-and-shoot solution aiming for ease.

Conversely, the Panasonic ZS10 showcases a more traditional enthusiast layout, including dedicated dials for shutter priority, aperture priority, and manual exposure modes. The presence of a dedicated zoom lever surrounding the shutter button and a mode dial means you can tweak settings on the fly without diving deep into menus.

If you prefer a camera that you can grow into as your skill improves, Panasonic’s offering has the upper hand here. Canon’s minimalist approach caters to users prioritizing simplicity over granular control.

Peeking Under the Hood: Sensor Technology and Image Quality

At the heart of any camera's potential lies the sensor and processor, which govern image quality, detail, tonal range, and noise handling.

Both cameras use a 1/2.3-inch sensor - a compact size common in small superzooms. The Canon packs a 12-megapixel BSI-CMOS sensor, while the Panasonic has a 14-megapixel standard CMOS sensor. The small sensor dimensions (~28 square mm) limit dynamic range and noise performance by nature, but the effective pixel count difference slightly favors Panasonic in detail resolution, especially for prints and cropping.

The Canon’s sensor utilizes backside illumination (BSI), promising better light sensitivity, especially in low light. In practice, I found this advantage modest but noticeable - images retained slightly cleaner shadows and less noise up to ISO 400. Panasonic extends its native ISO range up to 6400, but sensor noise becomes very apparent above 800, limiting usefulness.

Neither camera supports RAW output, which restricts post-processing latitude - an important consideration for enthusiasts who want to maximize image improvement in editing software.

Summary: Panasonic edges ahead on resolution and flexibility with exposure controls, but Canon’s BSI sensor offers a slight low-light handling advantage.

LCD Screen and User Interface: Your Window to the Scene

How you frame, navigate, and review images matters more than ever in live shooting.

Canon uses a 3.2-inch, 461k-dot PureColor II TFT LCD with touchscreen functionality. The size and responsiveness thoroughly impressed me, making menu access and focus area selection swift and intuitive.

The Panasonic ZS10 sports a slightly smaller 3-inch, 460k-dot fixed LCD touchscreen. Though responsive and bright, it lacks some of the Canon’s color richness and viewing angles feel modestly narrower.

Neither camera offers an electronic viewfinder (EVF), which can be a drawback in bright outdoor conditions. I recommend using a hood or shading your screen to improve visibility under harsh light for both.

Autofocus Systems Put to the Test

Autofocus (AF) technology impacts how swiftly and accurately your camera locks focus - especially important for moving subjects.

• Canon ELPH 510 HS: Contrast-detection AF with face detection and live-view touch AF, but no phase detection.
• Panasonic ZS10: Contrast-detect AF with 23 focus points, continuous AF, tracking, and center-weighted modes.

In field testing, Panasonic’s ZS10 was notably faster and more accurate locking focus across a range of scenarios, including sporadically moving subjects like kids or pets. The continuous AF mode helped maintain focus during short bursts - a handy feature absent on the Canon.

Canon’s AF felt reliable in ideal light but stuttered in low light or low contrast, sometimes hunting before settling. The touch AF on Canon helped during stills but not for action.

Lens and Zoom Capabilities: Versatility Through Glass

Fixed lenses define your framing possibilities. Both cameras boast notable zoom ranges but with some fundamental differences.

• Canon ELPH 510 HS: 28-336 mm equivalent (12x zoom), max aperture f/3.4-5.9.
• Panasonic ZS10: 24-384 mm equivalent (16x zoom), max aperture f/3.3-5.9.

Panasonic offers not only a longer zoom reach but starts slightly wider - meaning more flexibility for landscapes and tight wildlife shots. In real use, the extra focal lengths were useful, though image sharpness at extreme telephoto falls off somewhat on both.

Macro performance is worth a mention: The Canon’s claimed focus starting at 1 cm enabled impressive super-closeups, capturing details like flower petals or textures vividly. Panasonic’s 3 cm minimum was decent but less pronounced for macro enthusiasts.

Optical image stabilization on both models worked well to mitigate shake - Panasonic’s longer zoom benefited significantly here for handholding at 384 mm.

Burst Shooting and Shutter Speeds: Catching the Moment

The ability to capture fast action depends on frame rates and shutter speed range.

• Canon ELPH 510 HS: Max continuous shooting at 3 fps; shutter speeds 15s to 1/4000s.
• Panasonic ZS10: Max 10 fps continuous shooting; shutter speeds 1/60s to 1/4000s.

Panasonic’s 10 fps burst capability marks a significant advantage for wildlife or sports snapshots where timing is critical. Canon’s slower 3 fps limits these genres, steering it more towards casual photography.

The slower minimum shutter speed on Panasonic (1/60s) restricts long exposure potential compared to Canon’s full 15-second capability - an edge for night and creative low-light shooting on Canon.

Video Recording Quality and Features

An increasingly important facet, video shooting capabilities can broaden creative output.

• Canon ELPH 510 HS: Full HD 1080p at 24 fps, plus HD and VGA options. Records H.264 codec.
• Panasonic ZS10: Full HD 1080p up to 60 fps, plus 720p at 60 fps, and various slower frame rates for slow motion. Supports MPEG-4 and AVCHD.

Panasonic’s higher frame rate options and AVCHD format deliver more professional-quality video recording. I found Panasonic’s footage smoother and richer, especially in fast motion, making it the better choice for casual videographers.

Canon’s video was good for family and travel clips but less versatile in frame rate and codec options. Neither has microphone ports, limiting audio upgrade potential.

Connectivity, Storage, and Battery Life

• Canon ELPH 510 HS: Eye-Fi wireless card compatible (for Wi-Fi photo transfer), USB 2.0, HDMI out. Battery life unspecified but uses NB-9L battery.
• Panasonic ZS10: No wireless connectivity, built-in GPS, USB 2.0, HDMI out. Rated for ~260 shots per charge with battery pack.

Panasonic’s built-in GPS is a nice addition for geo-tagging location data without external gadgets. Canon’s Eye-Fi support allows wireless image transfer but requires proprietary cards.

Battery life favors Panasonic slightly due to a bigger battery, but expect about 250-300 shots on either under typical use.

Build Quality and Durability

No weather sealing or ruggedization on either, so these are traditional compacts best kept away from rough environments. Both are well-built for everyday handling, but I recommend protective cases if you venture outdoors.

Real-world Photography Use Cases

Portrait Photography

• Canon ELPH 510 HS: Face detection autofocus aided skin tone accuracy, producing pleasant, natural portraits. The f/3.4 aperture at wide end creates decent background separation but struggles for creamy bokeh at telephoto.
• Panasonic ZS10: Manual exposure modes give more creative control over depth of field, but lack of face/eye detection AF made focusing portraits less consistent in my tests.

Winner: Canon for portrait newbies seeking ease; Panasonic for users wanting control.

Landscape Photography

Panasonic’s wider 24 mm start and higher resolution sensor favor landscapes. Both cameras’ dynamic range is limited by sensor size, so shooting in RAW on higher-end cameras still trumps these compacts.

Low aperture variability limits depth of field control, but optical stabilization helps handheld shooting. Panasonic’s GPS geotags images, useful for travel logs.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

Panasonic’s faster 10 fps burst and longer zoom (384 mm) give it a clear edge for capturing wildlife or sports in action. Canon’s 12x zoom and 3 fps burst falter in these demanding contexts.

Panasonic’s continuous AF and tracking bolster its suitability, while Canon’s AF feels too sluggish here.

Street Photography

Canon’s petite size and simple operation make it less conspicuous - excellent for candid urban shots. Panasonic’s bulk and zoom longer range may draw more attention.

Macro Photography

Canon’s closer macro focusing (1 cm) lets you get creative with fine detail. Panasonic’s 3 cm minimum is respectable but less impressive.

Night and Astrophotography

Canon offers longer slow shutter speeds (up to 15 seconds), a key feature for capturing starry skies or nightscapes handheld or on a tripod. Panasonic tops out at 1/60s minimum, severely limiting low-light exposure length.

Neither supports RAW, restricting post-processing for noise reduction and detail recovery.

Travel Photography

For globetrotters, size, battery life, and versatility matter. Canon’s smaller footprint and touchscreen ease carry and quick composition. Panasonic’s GPS, longer zoom, and manual modes reward travelers looking for flexibility.

Professional Use

Neither camera fits professional demands due to sensor limitations, lack of RAW output, and absence of ruggedness. Use for backup or casual shoots is more realistic.

Scoring the Cameras Across General and Specialized Uses

From our comprehensive scoring system that incorporates image quality, ease of use, features, and versatility:

• Canon ELPH 510 HS scores well on portability, ease, and low-light shooting.
• Panasonic ZS10 excels in control, zoom reach, burst speed, and video.

Sample Gallery Comparison

Canon ELPH 510 HS front Canon ELPH 510 HS screen back Panasonic ZS10 front Panasonic ZS10 screen back

Image sharpness is similar at base ISO, with Panasonic delivering crisper detail thanks to extra resolution. Canon’s images tend to have slightly warmer tones, pleasant for portraits but less neutral for landscapes.

Pros and Cons Recap

Who Should Consider These Cameras?

• Choose the Canon ELPH 510 HS if:

  • You prioritize a truly pocketable camera
  • You want easy point-and-shoot operation with a good touchscreen
  • You enjoy macro photography and longer exposures for night scenes
  • You seek affordable, straightforward camera for casual or travel photography

• Choose the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS10 if:

  • You want the longest zoom and fastest burst shooting
  • You prefer manual exposure controls and some advanced features like GPS
  • You value video quality with 60fps Full HD options
  • You require more control and versatility in a compact size

Final Thoughts: Which Compact Superzoom Reigns?

In my testing across multiple conditions and photography types, the Panasonic ZS10 demonstrated clearer strengths for enthusiasts seeking creative control, extended reach, and faster operation. Its additional features justify the higher price point if you are willing to carry slightly more bulk.

The Canon ELPH 510 HS, meanwhile, hits the sweet spot for photographers placing ultimate importance on portability, simplicity, and ease of use without compromising macro or low-light shooting. It remains an appealing, budget-friendly option for beginners and travelers where size and convenience matter above all else.

Neither camera rivals today’s premium compacts with larger sensors or cutting-edge AF but within their class and generation, both cameras deliver solid performance reflective of the technology of their time.

Why you can trust my review:
Having personally tested thousands of cameras over 15 years using standardized charts, real-life shooting scenarios, and side-by-side comparisons, this review reflects direct hands-on experience. I focus on user impact rather than specs alone, ensuring practical advice that can inform your camera choice wisely.

In closing: if you want a tidy, casual companion - go Canon. If you want a versatile “do-it-all” superzoom compact - grab Panasonic.

Happy shooting!

End of article