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Canon SD1200 IS vs Panasonic ZS15

Portability
95
Imaging
33
Features
17
Overall
26
Canon PowerShot SD1200 IS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15 front
Portability
92
Imaging
36
Features
37
Overall
36

Canon SD1200 IS vs Panasonic ZS15 Key Specs

Canon SD1200 IS
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 35-105mm (F2.8-4.9) lens
  • 160g - 86 x 55 x 22mm
  • Launched February 2009
  • Alternate Name is Digital IXUS 95 IS
Panasonic ZS15
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-384mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 208g - 105 x 58 x 33mm
  • Announced June 2012
  • Additionally referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ25
  • Renewed by Panasonic ZS20
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Canon SD1200 IS vs Panasonic ZS15 Overview

Below, we will be matching up the Canon SD1200 IS vs Panasonic ZS15, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by brands Canon and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the SD1200 IS (10MP) and the ZS15 (12MP) is relatively close and they possess the exact same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The SD1200 IS was released 4 years prior to the ZS15 which is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera technology is concerned. The two cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before diving in to a more detailed comparison, below is a short synopsis of how the SD1200 IS grades vs the ZS15 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Photography Glossary

        

Reasons to pick Canon SD1200 IS over the Panasonic ZS15

 SD1200 IS ZS15 

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS15 over the Canon SD1200 IS

 ZS15 SD1200 IS 
AnnouncedJune 2012February 2009More modern by 40 months
Screen dimension3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution460k230kClearer screen (+230k dot)

Common features in the Canon SD1200 IS and Panasonic ZS15

 SD1200 IS ZS15 
Manual focus No manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch screen No Touch screen

Canon SD1200 IS vs Panasonic ZS15 Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to carry around your camera regularly, you'll have to factor its weight and volume. The Canon SD1200 IS comes with physical measurements of 86mm x 55mm x 22mm (3.4" x 2.2" x 0.9") along with a weight of 160 grams (0.35 lbs) whilst the Panasonic ZS15 has sizing of 105mm x 58mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 208 grams (0.46 lbs).

Check the Canon SD1200 IS vs Panasonic ZS15 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are using at the time. Below is the front view size comparison of the SD1200 IS compared to the ZS15.

Canon SD1200 IS vs Panasonic ZS15 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SD1200 IS and ZS15 is 95 and 92 respectively.

Canon SD1200 IS vs Panasonic ZS15 top view buttons comparison

Canon SD1200 IS vs Panasonic ZS15 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, its hard to visualize the contrast in sensor sizes purely by researching specifications. The picture here will provide you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the SD1200 IS and ZS15.

To sum up, both the cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements albeit different MP. You should count on the Panasonic ZS15 to result in more detail as a result of its extra 2MP. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop shots much more aggressively. The more aged SD1200 IS will be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

Canon SD1200 IS vs Panasonic ZS15 sensor size comparison

Canon SD1200 IS vs Panasonic ZS15 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SD1200 IS vs Panasonic ZS15 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon SD1200 IS
Portrait photography with Panasonic ZS15
25
features face detection autofocus
lack of manual focus
manual mode not possible
can't use external flash
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
21
focusing manually not possible
can't use external flash
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Canon SD1200 IS Street photography advice
Panasonic ZS15 Street photography advice
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
61
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (208 grams)
fixed screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Canon SD1200 IS Sports photography factors
Panasonic ZS15 Sports photography factors
24
built in image stabilization (Optical)
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
36
excellent zoom range (24-384mm 16.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
comes with tracking focus
continuous shooting slow (2.0 fps)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
terrible battery pack (260 per charge)
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SD1200 IS as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic ZS15 as a Travel photography camera
51
flash built-in
doesn't have Timelapse mode
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not good (35mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
61
lighter than others in class (208 grams)
flash built-in
quite wide (24mm)
long reach (384mm)
no Time Lapse recording
terrible battery pack (260 per charge)
megapixel count low (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SD1200 IS Landscape photography details
Panasonic ZS15 Landscape photography details
27
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (35mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
tiny screen (2.5 inch)
manual mode not possible
low megapixels (10MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
doesn't have Timelapse mode
37
quite wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
terrible battery pack (260 CIPA)
no Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD1200 IS Vlogging highlights
Panasonic ZS15 Vlogging highlights
28
built in image stabilization (Optical)
features face detection autofocus
wide angle not good (35mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
display isn't selfie friendly
low res video (640 x 480 pxls)
doesn't have external microphone port
33
quite wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than others in class (208g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
display is not selfie friendly
no mic socket
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Canon SD1200 IS vs Panasonic ZS15 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD1200 IS and Panasonic ZS15
 Canon PowerShot SD1200 ISPanasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15
General Information
Company Canon Panasonic
Model type Canon PowerShot SD1200 IS Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15
Also referred to as Digital IXUS 95 IS Lumix DMC-TZ25
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2009-02-18 2012-06-29
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 3648 x 2736 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 1600 6400
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 9 23
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 35-105mm (3.0x) 24-384mm (16.0x)
Maximum aperture f/2.8-4.9 f/3.3-5.9
Macro focusing range 3cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.5" 3"
Display resolution 230 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (tunnel) None
Features
Min shutter speed 15 secs 15 secs
Max shutter speed 1/1500 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 1.0 frames per sec 2.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 3.50 m 6.40 m
Flash modes Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 640x480 1920x1080
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 160g (0.35 lb) 208g (0.46 lb)
Dimensions 86 x 55 x 22mm (3.4" x 2.2" x 0.9") 105 x 58 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 260 pictures 260 pictures
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NB-6L -
Self timer Yes (2, 10, Custom, Face) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/HD MMCplus SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Retail cost $250 $279