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Canon SX120 IS vs Panasonic ZS15

Portability
87
Imaging
32
Features
28
Overall
30
Canon PowerShot SX120 IS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15 front
Portability
92
Imaging
35
Features
37
Overall
35

Canon SX120 IS vs Panasonic ZS15 Key Specs

Canon SX120 IS
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.5" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 36-360mm (F2.8-4.3) lens
  • 285g - 111 x 71 x 45mm
  • Released August 2009
Panasonic ZS15
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-384mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 208g - 105 x 58 x 33mm
  • Introduced June 2012
  • Additionally referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ25
  • New Model is Panasonic ZS20
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Canon SX120 IS vs Panasonic ZS15 Overview

Lets look closer at the Canon SX120 IS vs Panasonic ZS15, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by rivals Canon and Panasonic. The resolution of the SX120 IS (10MP) and the ZS15 (12MP) is fairly close but the SX120 IS (1/2.5") and ZS15 (1/2.3") feature totally different sensor sizes.

Photography Glossary

The SX120 IS was launched 3 years before the ZS15 which is a fairly significant gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before getting through a in-depth comparison, below is a short introduction of how the SX120 IS matches up against the ZS15 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX120 IS over the Panasonic ZS15

 SX120 IS ZS15 
Manually focus Dial accurate focusing

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS15 over the Canon SX120 IS

 ZS15 SX120 IS 
IntroducedJune 2012August 2009More modern by 34 months
Display resolution460k230kSharper display (+230k dot)

Common features in the Canon SX120 IS and Panasonic ZS15

 SX120 IS ZS15 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display dimensions
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch display Neither features Touch display

Canon SX120 IS vs Panasonic ZS15 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is looking to carry around your camera regularly, you will have to factor in its weight and measurements. The Canon SX120 IS enjoys physical dimensions of 111mm x 71mm x 45mm (4.4" x 2.8" x 1.8") with a weight of 285 grams (0.63 lbs) and the Panasonic ZS15 has proportions of 105mm x 58mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 208 grams (0.46 lbs).

Analyze the Canon SX120 IS vs Panasonic ZS15 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you have during that time. Underneath is the front view scale comparison of the SX120 IS compared to the ZS15.

Canon SX120 IS vs Panasonic ZS15 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the SX120 IS and ZS15 is 87 and 92 respectively.

Canon SX120 IS vs Panasonic ZS15 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX120 IS vs Panasonic ZS15 Sensor Comparison

Often, it's tough to visualise the contrast in sensor sizes just by looking through specifications. The pic underneath might provide you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the SX120 IS and ZS15.

Plainly, the 2 cameras offer different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The SX120 IS featuring a smaller sensor will make getting shallow DOF more challenging and the Panasonic ZS15 will result in extra detail utilizing its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will allow you to crop photos a little more aggressively. The more aged SX120 IS will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor technology.

Canon SX120 IS vs Panasonic ZS15 sensor size comparison

Canon SX120 IS vs Panasonic ZS15 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX120 IS vs Panasonic ZS15 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX120 IS Portrait photography highlights
Panasonic ZS15 Portrait photography highlights
32
has manual focus
flash sync is higher than normal (1/500s)
no external flash support
low resolution sensor (10MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.5")
lacks RAW support
21
focusing manually not possible
external flash not possible
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Canon SX120 IS as a Street photography camera
Panasonic ZS15 as a Street photography camera
51
has image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
sensor size is small (1/2.5")
lacks RAW support
heavier than competitors in class (285g)
61
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (208 grams)
no moving screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX120 IS Sports photography factors
Panasonic ZS15 Sports photography factors
26
has image stabilization (Optical)
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
low resolution sensor (10 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.5")
lacks phase detect auto focus
36
incredible zoom range (24-384mm 16.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
includes tracking focus
low fps (2.0 frames/s)
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
not so great battery pack (260 CIPA)
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX120 IS Travel photography details
Panasonic ZS15 Travel photography details
51
built-in flash
very long reach (360mm)
lack of Time Lapse function
heavier than competitors in class (285 grams)
low resolution sensor (10MP)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
wide angle not the best (36mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
61
lighter than competition (208 grams)
built-in flash
rather wide (24mm)
great zoom (384mm)
lack of Timelapse recording
not so great battery pack (260 shots)
megapixel count low (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX120 IS Landscape photography details
Panasonic ZS15 Landscape photography details
36
has manual focus
screen size is decent (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (36mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
low resolution sensor (10 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.5")
lacks RAW support
lack of Time Lapse function
36
rather wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
not so great battery pack (260 shots)
lack of Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX120 IS Vlogging details
Panasonic ZS15 Vlogging details
23
has image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not the best (36mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
video quality not great (640 x 480 pxls)
lack of external mic jack
heavier than competitors in class (285g)
33
rather wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition (208g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of microphone jack
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Canon SX120 IS vs Panasonic ZS15 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX120 IS and Panasonic ZS15
 Canon PowerShot SX120 ISPanasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15
General Information
Company Canon Panasonic
Model Canon PowerShot SX120 IS Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15
Alternative name - Lumix DMC-TZ25
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2009-08-19 2012-06-29
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Digic 4 -
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.5" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 5.744 x 4.308mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 24.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 10MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 3:2 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 3648 x 2736 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 1600 6400
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points - 23
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 36-360mm (10.0x) 24-384mm (16.0x)
Highest aperture f/2.8-4.3 f/3.3-5.9
Macro focus range 1cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 6.3 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 230k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 15 secs 15 secs
Max shutter speed 1/2500 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 1.0 frames per second 2.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 3.00 m 6.40 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync 1/500 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps), 160 x 120 (15 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 640x480 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone input
Headphone input
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 seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 285 grams (0.63 lb) 208 grams (0.46 lb)
Dimensions 111 x 71 x 45mm (4.4" x 2.8" x 1.8") 105 x 58 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life - 260 images
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model 2 x AA -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD, SDHC, MMC, MMCplus, HC MMCplus SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Launch pricing $249 $279