Canon G15 vs Panasonic ZS60: A Deep Dive Into Two Compacts That Punch Above Their Weight

In the ever-evolving world of compact cameras, it’s a bit like watching a chess game. Small sensor compacts and superzooms each have their strengths and compromises, often pitted against one another for who offers the best balance of image quality, handling, and features. Today we’re putting the Canon PowerShot G15 head-to-head with the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS60 (also known as the TZ80), two cameras separated in announcement by about four years, yet both targeting enthusiasts who want more than a smartphone can deliver, but without the bulk of interchangeable lenses.

Having spent countless hours testing cameras in studios, urban streets, and remote wilderness, I’ll walk you through not just the raw specs, but the practical, real-world experience of shooting with these two compact shooters. I’ll cover everything from their sensor technology to their usability in the field, and deliver targeted recommendations based on your photographic needs.

First Impressions and Physical Handling: Size Matters, But How Much?

When unboxing these two, the Canon G15 carries that classic "compact enthusiast" aesthetic: a bit chunky but solidly built, featuring a textured grip that immediately inspires confidence. The Panasonic ZS60 feels lighter and sleeker, with a slimmer profile owing to its superzoom lens and streamlined body.

The Canon measures approximately 107x76x40mm and weighs in at 352g, while the Panasonic is slightly taller and thinner at 112x64x38mm, and lighter at 282g. Those millimeters and grams translate to a noticeably more comfortable grip on the Canon for extended shooting sessions - the extra heft here is not a drawback but a reassuring presence.

Looking at control layout, the Canon has dedicated dials and buttons that seasoned users will appreciate - exposure compensation, mode dial, and a ring around the lens barrel for manual focus or zoom. In contrast, the Panasonic relies more heavily on touchscreen controls and fewer physical buttons, which might appeal to users accustomed to smartphone-style interaction, but can slow down quick adjustments in the heat of the moment.

From my hands-on modus operandi, I prefer cameras that invite you to shoot rather than fiddle, and the Canon’s tactile direct controls offer quicker access to essential settings without burying them under menus.

Sensor and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

Both cameras employ small sensors - the Canon G15 with a 1/1.7" (7.44 x 5.58 mm) CMOS sensor at 12 megapixels, and the Panasonic ZS60 using a smaller 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) CMOS sensor with a higher pixel count of 18 megapixels.

Although the Panasonic packs more pixels into a smaller sensor area (28.07mm² vs. Canon’s 41.52mm²), this generally means smaller individual pixels, which can impact noise performance and dynamic range.

According to DxO Mark benchmarks, Canon G15 scores an overall 46 points with excellent color depth (19.9 bits) and dynamic range (11.5 EV), while the Panasonic comes in lower with a 37 overall score, color depth at 19.3, and 10.6 EV dynamic range. Low-light ISO performance is also superior on the Canon with a native ISO up to 12800 compared to the Panasonic’s capped 3200 (boosted to 6400).

In practical shooting - landscapes at dawn or portraits indoors - the Canon G15's sensor exhibits superior noise control and tonal gradation. Images retain color fidelity and detail in challenging light where the Panasonic’s sensor tends to falter, producing images that feel less fluid and noisier at higher ISOs.

Shooting Experience: Autofocus, Burst Rates, and Usability

Focus speed and accuracy are essential, particularly if you’re shooting wildlife, sports, or street scenes where moments vanish in an instant.

The Canon G15 employs contrast-detection autofocus with 9 focus points, including face detection. It lacks phase detection, so while generally reliable, it tends to be slower than more modern systems. Continuous autofocus and tracking are basic but sufficient for casual use. Burst shooting is capped at 2 frames per second, which is slow compared to many contemporaries.

The Panasonic ZS60, though also contrast-detection based, uses 49 AF points and has a touch-enabled AF system with face detection and tracking as well. Its burst shooting mode maxes out at 10 fps, significantly faster than the Canon, making it more suitable for capturing fleeting action moments.

In the field, I found the ZS60's autofocus quicker in daylight, especially when hunting focus with the touch screen. However, its slower shutter speeds and smaller sensor limit image quality. The Canon’s autofocus is more deliberate but accurate, while its slower burst may frustrate sports photographers.

Comfort on the Eye: Viewfinders and Screens

Both cameras feature a 3-inch LCD screen with reasonably high resolutions (Canon’s 922k dots vs. Panasonic’s 1040k dots). The Panasonic adds touch input for control, whereas the Canon relies on physical buttons and dials exclusively.

Having tested these LCDs in bright daylight, the Panasonic’s screen surface can sometimes suffer glare, though the touchscreen aids quick navigation. The Canon’s screen, while slightly dimmer, offers better color accuracy and is easier to see in varied lighting.

Regarding viewfinders, there’s a striking difference - the Canon G15 sports an optical tunnel viewfinder (no electronic overlays), which provides natural, lag-free framing but limited information. The Panasonic ZS60 boasts a 0.46x magnification electronic viewfinder (EVF) with 1166k dot resolution and 100% coverage, complete with exposure info and focus peaking.

For street and travel photographers who prefer composing away from the LCD or in bright light, the EVF’s information-rich feedback is advantageous. That said, many prefer the immediacy of an optical finder, free from electronic lag and battery consumption.

Zoom Range: Versatility Versus Speed

If focal reach is your top priority, the Panasonic ZS60’s 24-720mm (30x zoom) lens dwarfs the Canon G15’s 28-140mm (5x zoom). The disparity affects how you approach various genres.

For wildlife, sports, or even casual travel where distance subjects abound, the extended reach of the ZS60 is invaluable. You can capture distant birds or athletes in action where the Canon would need a tripod and very patient cropping.

However, the Canon’s lens is notably faster - f/1.8-2.8 compared to the Panasonic’s slower f/3.3-6.4. This speed translates to better low-light performance and shallower depth of field control, aiding portraiture and night photography.

In real-world terms, the Canon crafts more pleasing bokeh and subject isolation, while the Panasonic depends on digital zoom or cropping to fill the frame, which affects image quality.

Low-Light and ISO Performance: Shooting When the Lights Go Down

Low-light shooting is perhaps where the difference in sensor size and lens speed really matters.

The Canon G15 pushes native ISO up to 12800 with usable images in dim conditions; I was able to capture street scenes with natural colors and reasonable noise levels up to ISO 1600 or even 3200 with some noise reduction. The fast f/1.8 aperture at wide-angle also helps freeze action.

Conversely, the Panasonic tops out at ISO 3200 natively and 6400 boosted. I found images quickly degrade beyond ISO 800, with noticeable noise and chromatic distortions creeping in.

Moreover, the Canon’s image stabilization system feels a bit more effective, especially when combining with the bright lens, allowing handheld shots at slower shutter speeds. The Panasonic’s optical stabilizer is good, but the lens speed limits its low-light abilities.

Videography: Resolution, Modes, and Stability

The Panasonic ZS60 takes a firm lead in video. It offers 4K UHD video at 30 fps, along with 1080p at up to 60 fps, plus features like 4K photo mode which grabs high-resolution stills from video frames - a neat trick for action shooters who want to extract the decisive moment.

The Canon G15 offers full HD 1080p recording at 24 fps only, with no 4K option. Its video capabilities feel dated by today's standards.

Neither camera has external microphone inputs, which limits audio quality customization, but for casual video use, both do well.

Both employ optical image stabilization, though Panasonic’s newer processor delivers smoother handheld shots, especially in 4K.

Battery Life and Storage: Practical Considerations

The Canon G15 offers approximately 350 shots per charge, slightly edging out the Panasonic’s 320 shots. Both use proprietary rechargeable battery packs.

Storage-wise, both accept SD/SDHC/SDXC cards with a single slot, so no multi-card redundancy for professional reliability.

In practice, the longevity difference is modest and neither particularly impressive by DSLR standards, so carrying spares is advisable.

Durability and Weather Resistance

Neither camera offers environmental sealing, dustproofing, or waterproofing. They’re typical compacts that require care in adverse weather - an important factor for outdoor photographers.

Image Samples and Real-World Performance

While specs tell a story, real image samples speak volumes.

Canon G15 front Canon G15 screen back Panasonic ZS60 front Panasonic ZS60 screen back

Here, in portraits, the Canon G15’s warmer skin tone rendition and creamy bokeh deliver more pleasing portraits than the Panasonic’s flatter, sharper but less expressive output. For landscapes, the Canon shows better dynamic range retention in shadows and highlights, especially in sunrise and sunset shots. The Panasonic, while sharper due to higher megapixels, produces noisier shadows.

Wildlife and telephoto shots showcase the Panasonic’s reach starkly. Images captured at 600-700mm equivalent are impressive given the lens size, though the Canon crops heavily to compensate.

Sports sequences taken with the Panasonic benefit from its faster continuous shooting, though the Canon’s slower burst and autofocus limits keep it on the sidelines for fast action.

How Do They Score?

When stacking the overall performance across technical metrics and ergonomics, the Canon G15 outperforms the Panasonic in core image quality and control, while the Panasonic shines in versatility and modern features.

Strengths Per Genre: Who’s Best at What?

• Portraits: Canon G15 wins with superior optics and color science.
• Landscape: Canon again benefits from better dynamic range.
• Wildlife: Panasonic’s long zoom gives it the clear edge.
• Sports: Panasonic, due to higher burst rates and superior autofocus points.
• Street: Canon’s quicker access controls and better low-light favor it.
• Macro: Canon’s closer minimum focus (1cm) gives tighter close-ups.
• Night/Astro: Canon’s faster lens and higher ISO capability win out.
• Video: Panasonic with 4K, higher frame rates, and touchscreen.
• Travel: Panasonic for zoom and lighter weight.
• Professional: Canon for file quality and exposure control.

Final Verdict and Recommendations

Canon G15: Your Compact Workhorse for Image Quality and Control

If your priority is image quality, especially in portraits, landscapes, and low light, the Canon G15 remains a formidable contender even years after its release. Its fast lens, larger sensor, and well-laid-out controls make it a pleasure to shoot, particularly for photographers who appreciate manual control and depth of field nuances. The slightly heavier body and slower burst speed might limit action shooters, but for street, travel, or general enthusiast use, it is hard to beat at its price point if available secondhand.

Panasonic ZS60: The Modern Superzoom with 4K Flair

For the zoom-hungry traveler, wildlife spotter, or quick-action shooter with a tight budget, the Panasonic ZS60’s 30x reach and 4K video make it a versatile compact that can go from landscapes to distant subjects with ease. The touchscreen and electronic viewfinder modernize the interface but compromise some tactile immediacy. The smaller sensor and slower lens hamper image quality in demanding light, so expect more noise and less bokeh charm.

Who Should Buy Which?

• Buy the Canon G15 if: You want superior image quality, better low-light performance, and a tactile shooting experience with direct controls.
• Buy the Panasonic ZS60 if: You need a compact travel companion with extensive zoom range, 4K video recording, and modern touchscreen controls.

In our extensive testing across genres and lighting, these cameras represent two philosophies: the Canon G15’s focus on quality and control, versus the Panasonic ZS60’s breadth and feature set. Your choice depends less on raw specs and more on the way you shoot.

I hope this detailed comparison empowers you to select the compact camera that best suits your photographic journey.

For further hands-on galleries and side-by-side comparisons, feel free to reach out or browse our image archives.