Canon SX150 IS vs Panasonic ZS80: A Detailed Comparison of Compact Superzoom Cameras

When diving into the world of small sensor superzoom cameras, the options span a spectrum of features, performance levels, and price points. Our comparison today pits two compact powerhouses - the Canon PowerShot SX150 IS, a 2012 veteran known for approachable ease, against the more modern and feature-laden Panasonic Lumix DC-ZS80 (also known as the DC-TZ95), which debuted in 2018 with considerable technological advancements. Having tested both through rigorous real-world shoots and technical evaluations, I’m excited to unpack their relative strengths and weaknesses across various photography disciplines, helping enthusiasts and professionals alike make an informed choice.

A Tale of Two Eras: Design and Build

At first glance, these two cameras share the compact “travel-friendly” mantra, but their generations reveal distinct philosophies.

• Canon SX150 IS measures 113 x 73 x 46 mm and weighs 306g using AA batteries.
• Panasonic ZS80 is slightly smaller and lighter at 112 x 69 x 42 mm, tipping the scale at 327g with a proprietary rechargeable battery.

The Canon feels chunkier due to its thicker body, mainly to accommodate AA cells - a choice that could be a boon in emergencies but less sleek in daily carry. Panasonic’s battery pack offers longer shooting sessions but tethers you to charging. This difference underscores evolving design priorities: convenience vs sustainability.

Ergonomically, the SX150 IS features a straightforward control layout with dedicated exposure modes, a rear control wheel, and a fixed 3-inch 230k-dot screen. The control scheme is somewhat dated by today’s standards, lacking touchscreen functionality or illuminated buttons, but it offers tactile feedback and simplicity. In contrast, the ZS80 steps up with a tilting 3-inch 1040k-dot touchscreen, enhancing framing flexibility, especially for selfies or low-angle shots - a significant advantage for street and travel photography. Moreover, Panasonic includes a built-in electronic viewfinder (EVF) with 2330k-dot resolution, lending compositional confidence in bright conditions - a feature totally absent on the Canon.

Both cameras sport a built-in flash, but Panasonic’s flash reaches 5.6 meters (with Auto ISO), almost doubling Canon’s 3-meter range, helpful in fill-light scenarios.

Sensor and Image Quality: A Leap Forward

The heart of any camera - the sensor - is where the ZS80 holds a clear technical edge despite the shared sensor footprint.

Both cameras use a 1/2.3-inch sensor (6.17 x 4.55mm), but the Canon packs 14 megapixels from a CCD sensor, whereas the Panasonic upgrades to a 20-megapixel BSI-CMOS sensor. This difference significantly impacts overall image quality and noise performance.

CCD vs CMOS is a historic crossroad. CCDs traditionally delivered superior color depth and less noise but at the expense of higher power consumption and slower readout speeds. In practice, the SX150’s CCD sensor produces images with decent detail under good light but struggles beyond ISO 400, showing noticeable noise and compromised dynamic range. The limited maximum ISO 1600 further hampers low-light versatility.

Conversely, the Panasonic leverages backside illumination and modern sensor processing to deliver cleaner files even at ISO 3200, with an ISO boost up to 6400 for emergencies. The 20MP resolution offers finer detail rendition and cropping flexibility, enhancing landscape and portrait captures. Panasonic’s sensor also supports RAW shooting, a game-changer for professionals who crave maximum editing flexibility - something the Canon does not offer.

Autofocus: From Basic to More Agile

Autofocus performance is a critical evaluation metric for wildlife, sports, street, and macro photographers alike.

The Canon SX150 IS uses a basic contrast-detection autofocus system with a single AF point and limited tracking capabilities. While it does offer face detection, there’s no continuous autofocus or subject tracking during burst shoots. Consequently, in fast-paced environments - say, capturing a bird in flight or a sprinter tearing down the track - the Canon’s autofocus feels sluggish and unreliable. Macro work also requires careful manual focusing to get sharp close-ups due to the minimal AF flexibility.

The Panasonic ZS80, while still relying on contrast-detection (no phase detection here), benefits from improvements in autofocus algorithms combined with a higher frame rate burst mode (up to 10 fps). It offers multiple focus modes including single, continuous, selective, and tracking AF. Face detection is sharper and more reliable, though it still lacks animal eye AF that newer models boast. The inclusion of focus bracketing, focus stacking, and a post-focus mode adds versatility for macro and landscape shooters wanting extended depth of field - an area where the Canon shows no capabilities.

In real-world use, I found the ZS80 much better suited to catching fleeting moments in dynamic scenes, though neither camera would be my first pick for professional wildlife or sports photography demanding flawless AF precision.

Handling and User Interface: Traditional vs Modern

The Canon’s fixed screen with a modest resolution of 230k dots can feel limiting when reviewing detailed shots or navigating menus. Panasonic’s touchscreen interface is snappy and intuitive, offering pinch-to-zoom in playback and swipe navigation, which speeds workflow in the field or studio.

Touch sensitivity and the tilting mechanism allow the ZS80 to accommodate unconventional shooting angles - a major benefit during street shoots or low-angle macros.

Both cameras provide dedicated modes for shutter and aperture priority, manual exposure, and exposure compensation, enabling creative control. However, Panasonic’s updated processor handles exposure adjustments and white balance bracketing more fluidly and allows fine adjustments within menus that feel clunkier on the Canon.

Lens Performance: Reach vs Aperture Balance

Both cameras are equipped with fixed superzoom lenses, critical for travel and wildlife shooters needing versatility without lens changes.

• Canon SX150 IS: 28-336mm equivalent (12x zoom) with a max aperture of f/3.4-5.6.
• Panasonic ZS80: 24-720mm equivalent (30x zoom) with a max aperture of f/3.3-6.4.

The Canon's broader aperture at wide angle provides slightly better low-light performance at the shorter end but trails significantly in telephoto reach. The Panasonic extends much further into the telephoto range, which is impressive for a compact system, though with a narrower aperture at 720mm, limiting light intake.

Image stabilization exists on both, with optical IS reducing shake - important when handholding long focal lengths. The Panasonic’s stabilization feels more refined, possibly because of newer IS technology combined with its higher resolution sensor, minimizing blur effectively in real-world handheld shots.

The Canon shines with macro capability, allowing focusing as close as 1cm, excellent for tiny subjects. The Panasonic’s macro minimum distance is 3cm, which is good but less exceptional.

Sample Images Speak Volumes

I’ve captured comparable shots across several genres using both cameras, carefully controlling settings and lighting for fairness.

Canon SX150 IS front Canon SX150 IS screen back Panasonic ZS80 front Panasonic ZS80 screen back

In portrait photography, Canon’s color reproduction is pleasant out of camera, but Panasonic’s files allow for more nuance in skin tones post-processing, especially via RAW. Panasonic’s face detection and eye autofocus provide quicker and more accurate focus on eyes, critical for professional portraits.

In landscape shots, Panasonic’s higher resolution and better dynamic range resolution produce crisper details and smoother tonal gradations, especially in shadow areas. Canon’s images occasionally show highlight clipping under challenging scenes.

Wildlife images reveal Panasonic’s burst rate advantage and longer zoom reach make a palpable difference for distant or moving subjects. Canon’s one frame per second continuous shooting makes capturing decisive moments difficult.

Panasonic’s tilting screen proved invaluable for street photography, enabling discreet low- or high-angle shooting without drawing attention, whereas Canon’s fixed screen forced uncomfortable body positions.

Further in night and astrophotography, Panasonic’s extended ISO range and faster shutter speeds shine. Although neither has large sensors optimal for low-light, the ZS80’s noise control and sensor sensitivity delivered cleaner star fields and dim scenes with less grain.

Video Capabilities: A Strong Panasonic Lead

Canon’s SX150 IS records video at 720p/30fps only, using the older H.264 codec. No external mic support limits audio control. Video features are basic - no 4K, no slow motion, no advanced stabilization or focus tracking.

Panasonic’s ZS80 offers a full spectrum of video resolutions including 4K UHD at 30fps, 1080p at 60fps, and even 4K photo modes allowing extraction of high-res frames from video clips - a feature that blends stills and video creativity. The 5-axis optical IS aids smooth handheld footage, and the camera includes slow motion modes.

Lacking microphone and headphone jacks poses a bottleneck, but Panasonic’s better internal audio and video quality solidify its lead for casual to semi-pro video work.

Battery Life and Storage: Real World Endurance

The Canon’s AA batteries are convenient for emergency swaps but yield a low 130 shot life, meaning you'll carry spares or recharge often.

Panasonic’s proprietary battery delivers almost 380 shots per charge - nearly three times more efficient - ideal for travel and event documentation. It accepts high-speed SD cards such as UHS-I, supporting faster write times critical for 4K video and burst photography.

Connectivity and Extras

Panasonic includes built-in Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and HDMI output, facilitating easy sharing, remote control, and connection to external displays for instant reviews - a boon for modern workflow. The Canon SX150 only offers Eye-Fi card compatibility for wireless transfer - an older and less flexible solution.

Overall Performance Ratings

Bringing it all together, here’s a snapshot of side-by-side scores that synthesize specs and testing results.

The Panasonic ZS80 outperforms in almost every category: image quality, AF performance, video, battery life, and features, with a competitive price for what it offers. Canon’s SX150 IS, while capable in good light and offering simplicity, falls behind in modern expectations.

Photography Genre Suitability

Different genres demand different traits; here’s how our cameras stack up in specialized domains:

• Portrait: Panasonic’s face detection, eye AF, higher resolution, and RAW support tip the balance.
• Landscape: Panasonic again due to resolution, dynamic range, and focus stacking.
• Wildlife: Panasonic’s zoom reach and burst mode make it the clear choice.
• Sports: Slow AF and low continuous rate limit Canon; Panasonic is better but not professional-level.
• Street: Panasonic’s tiltable screen and discreet EVF favor street photographers.
• Macro: Canon’s 1cm macro is excellent, though Panasonic’s focus bracketing adds creative depth.
• Night/Astro: Panasonic’s higher ISO ceiling and noise control excel.
• Video: Panasonic is superior with 4K and stabilization.
• Travel: Panasonic’s size, weight, zoom range, battery life, and connectivity recommend it.
• Professional Work: Panasonic’s RAW, image quality, and features offer greater workflow integration, although neither replaces an advanced mirrorless or DSLR for demanding pros.

Final Thoughts and Recommendations

If you’re deciding between these two cameras today, realistically, the Panasonic Lumix DC-ZS80 is the superior all-rounder, benefitting from advances in sensor tech, autofocus sophistication, video prowess, and user interface. Its 4K video and touch-enabled tilting screen enhance modern creative possibilities. The boosted battery life and wireless connectivity make it practical for travel and casual professional use.

That said, the Canon PowerShot SX150 IS still holds some charm for budget-conscious users seeking a straightforward superzoom with simple controls and usable image quality in bright conditions. Its macro proximity and AA battery system make it a practical backup or entry-level option when replacing older cameras.

To sum up:

• Choose Canon SX150 IS if:

  • Your budget is tight, and you want a basic superzoom compact.
  • You prefer the convenience of AA batteries for remote shooting.
  • Your shooting is mostly casual, daylight photography without video demands.
  • Macro close-ups at 1cm are a priority.

• Choose Panasonic ZS80 if:

  • You want a versatile all-in-one camera optimized for travel, street, wildlife, and landscape.
  • Video output capabilities (4K, slow motion) are important.
  • You need RAW files and more advanced autofocus modes.
  • Longer battery life and connectivity are decisive.
  • You value a tiltable touchscreen and EVF for flexible composition.

Both cameras reflect their eras’ strengths and trade-offs. My advice? Opt for the model that aligns with your core shooting style and workflow needs. The Panasonic ZS80, in particular, represents a significant leap forward that will satisfy enthusiasts wanting a capable, compact camera without stepping up to interchangeable lens systems.

I hope this detailed comparison arms you with clarity on these two superzooms. If you have questions about specific use cases or want more tailored advice, feel free to reach out. Remember, a camera is most powerful when it works harmoniously with your creative intentions - not just on paper but in your hands and artistic output. Happy shooting!