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Canon G15 vs Panasonic SZ1

Portability
86
Imaging
37
Features
58
Overall
45
Canon PowerShot G15 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1 front
Portability
95
Imaging
39
Features
34
Overall
37

Canon G15 vs Panasonic SZ1 Key Specs

Canon G15
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-140mm (F1.8-2.8) lens
  • 352g - 107 x 76 x 40mm
  • Launched September 2012
  • Older Model is Canon G12
  • Renewed by Canon G16
Panasonic SZ1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 131g - 99 x 59 x 21mm
  • Revealed January 2012
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Canon G15 vs Panasonic SZ1 Overview

Here is a in-depth analysis of the Canon G15 and Panasonic SZ1, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by rivals Canon and Panasonic. There is a crucial difference between the image resolutions of the G15 (12MP) and SZ1 (16MP) and the G15 (1/1.7") and SZ1 (1/2.3") boast totally different sensor sizes.

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The G15 was brought out 9 months later than the SZ1 which means that they are both of a similar generation. Both of the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before we go right into a step-by-step comparison, here is a brief highlight of how the G15 scores against the SZ1 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon G15 over the Panasonic SZ1

 G15 SZ1 
RevealedSeptember 2012January 2012Fresher by 9 months
Manually focus Dial exact focusing
Display resolution922k230kCrisper display (+692k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ1 over the Canon G15

 SZ1 G15 

Common features in the Canon G15 and Panasonic SZ1

 G15 SZ1 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display dimensions
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch display Neither offers Touch display

Canon G15 vs Panasonic SZ1 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is aiming to carry your camera often, you're going to have to consider its weight and size. The Canon G15 offers outside measurements of 107mm x 76mm x 40mm (4.2" x 3.0" x 1.6") accompanied by a weight of 352 grams (0.78 lbs) whilst the Panasonic SZ1 has specifications of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") and a weight of 131 grams (0.29 lbs).

See the Canon G15 and Panasonic SZ1 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you are using during that time. The following is a front view dimensions comparison of the G15 against the SZ1.

Canon G15 vs Panasonic SZ1 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the G15 and SZ1 is 86 and 95 respectively.

Canon G15 vs Panasonic SZ1 top view buttons comparison

Canon G15 vs Panasonic SZ1 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it can be tough to visualise the contrast between sensor sizing simply by reviewing specifications. The visual below may offer you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the G15 and SZ1.

To sum up, the 2 cameras have different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The G15 because of its larger sensor will make getting shallower depth of field easier and the Panasonic SZ1 will deliver more detail having its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will also let you crop images a bit more aggressively. The younger G15 is going to have an advantage with regard to sensor tech.

Canon G15 vs Panasonic SZ1 sensor size comparison

Canon G15 vs Panasonic SZ1 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon G15 vs Panasonic SZ1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon G15 Portrait photography factors
Panasonic SZ1 Portrait photography factors
48
manual focus
above average flash sync (1/2,000s)
supports face detect focusing
delivers RAW files
resolution not great (12MP)
small sensor size (1/1.7")
34
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
features face detect focusing
manual focus not available
no manual exposure
cannot use external flash
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Street Comparison

Canon G15 Street photography information
Panasonic SZ1 Street photography information
59
image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW files
fixed screen
small sensor size (1/1.7")
more heavy than competition in class (352g)
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (131g)
no moving screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Canon G15 Sports photography highlights
Panasonic SZ1 Sports photography highlights
39
image stabilization (Optical)
supports tracking focus
good battery life (350 CIPA)
slow fps (2.0 frames per second)
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/1.7")
doesn't have phase detect AF
40
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
features tracking focus
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon G15
Travel photography with Panasonic SZ1
61
good battery life (350 per charge)
has built in flash
quite wide (28mm)
good maximum aperture (f1.8)
does not have Timelapse function
more heavy than competition in class (352 grams)
resolution not great (12MP)
does not feature selfie friendly display
70
lighter than average (131 grams)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
really wide (25mm)
very long reach (250mm)
lack of Time Lapse mode
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon G15
Landscape photography with Panasonic SZ1
55
manual focus
quite wide (28mm)
good maximum aperture (f1.8)
good sized screen (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW files
good battery life (350 CIPA)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/1.7")
does not have Timelapse function
43
really wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
no manual exposure
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
lack of Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon G15
Vlogging with Panasonic SZ1
33
quite wide (28mm)
good maximum aperture (f1.8)
image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does not feature selfie friendly display
does not have microphone jack
more heavy than competition in class (352 grams)
32
really wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect focusing
lighter than average (131 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
screen is not selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of mic jack
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Canon G15 vs Panasonic SZ1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon G15 and Panasonic SZ1
 Canon PowerShot G15Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1
General Information
Make Canon Panasonic
Model type Canon PowerShot G15 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2012-09-17 2012-01-09
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Digic 5 -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/1.7" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 7.44 x 5.58mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 41.5mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 5:4, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4000 x 3000 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 12800 6400
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 9 23
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-140mm (5.0x) 25-250mm (10.0x)
Maximal aperture f/1.8-2.8 f/3.1-5.9
Macro focusing distance 1cm 4cm
Focal length multiplier 4.8 5.9
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 922k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen technology TFT PureColor II G LCD TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (tunnel) None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15 secs 8 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shooting speed 2.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 7.00 m 5.60 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Second Curtain Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/2000 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (24 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format H.264 MPEG-4
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 352 grams (0.78 pounds) 131 grams (0.29 pounds)
Physical dimensions 107 x 76 x 40mm (4.2" x 3.0" x 1.6") 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 46 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 19.9 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.5 not tested
DXO Low light rating 165 not tested
Other
Battery life 350 images 250 images
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NB-10L -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots One One
Launch price $499 $179