Clicky

Canon SX240 HS vs Panasonic ZS5

Portability
91
Imaging
35
Features
44
Overall
38
Canon PowerShot SX240 HS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5 front
Portability
92
Imaging
34
Features
30
Overall
32

Canon SX240 HS vs Panasonic ZS5 Key Specs

Canon SX240 HS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-500mm (F3.5-6.8) lens
  • 224g - 106 x 61 x 33mm
  • Announced February 2012
  • Previous Model is Canon SX230 HS
  • New Model is Canon SX260 HS
Panasonic ZS5
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-300mm (F3.3-4.9) lens
  • 214g - 103 x 60 x 32mm
  • Revealed June 2010
  • Also Known as Lumix DMC-TZ8
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Canon SX240 HS vs Panasonic ZS5 Overview

Here is a comprehensive comparison of the Canon SX240 HS and Panasonic ZS5, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by manufacturers Canon and Panasonic. The resolution of the SX240 HS (12MP) and the ZS5 (12MP) is pretty comparable and both cameras offer the identical sensor sizing (1/2.3").

Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

The SX240 HS was unveiled 21 months later than the ZS5 which makes them a generation apart from each other. The two cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before delving into a in depth comparison, here is a simple overview of how the SX240 HS matches up vs the ZS5 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Mastering Nature Photography with a Digital Microscope Camera

        

Reasons to pick Canon SX240 HS over the Panasonic ZS5

 SX240 HS ZS5 
RevealedFebruary 2012June 2010Fresher by 21 months
Manual focus Dial precise focus
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution461k230kSharper screen (+231k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS5 over the Canon SX240 HS

 ZS5 SX240 HS 

Common features in the Canon SX240 HS and Panasonic ZS5

 SX240 HS ZS5 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Lack of Touch friendly screen

Canon SX240 HS vs Panasonic ZS5 Physical Comparison

If you're planning to carry your camera, you need to consider its weight and measurements. The Canon SX240 HS enjoys outer dimensions of 106mm x 61mm x 33mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.3") and a weight of 224 grams (0.49 lbs) and the Panasonic ZS5 has proportions of 103mm x 60mm x 32mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 214 grams (0.47 lbs).

Examine the Canon SX240 HS and Panasonic ZS5 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are working with at the time. Below is a front view sizing comparison of the SX240 HS compared to the ZS5.

Canon SX240 HS vs Panasonic ZS5 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the SX240 HS and ZS5 is 91 and 92 respectively.

Canon SX240 HS vs Panasonic ZS5 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX240 HS vs Panasonic ZS5 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it's tough to visualize the contrast in sensor sizing just by seeing a spec sheet. The visual underneath will give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the SX240 HS and ZS5.

As you can see, the 2 cameras come with the identical sensor size and the same exact MP therefore you should expect comparable quality of pictures although you have to factor the production date of the cameras into account. The fresher SX240 HS provides a benefit in sensor tech.

Canon SX240 HS vs Panasonic ZS5 sensor size comparison

Canon SX240 HS vs Panasonic ZS5 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX240 HS vs Panasonic ZS5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX240 HS Portrait photography details
Panasonic ZS5 Portrait photography details
37
focusing manually
comes with face detect focus
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
27
has face detection focus
no manual focus
cannot use external flash
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Street Comparison

Canon SX240 HS Street photography info
Panasonic ZS5 Street photography info
60
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (224 grams)
fixed screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
61
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (214g)
screen does not articulate
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Sports Comparison

Canon SX240 HS as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic ZS5 as a Sports photography camera
36
great zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
comes with tracking focus
continuous shooting slow (2.0 frames/s)
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
low battery (230 per charge)
lack of phase detect auto focus
31
built in image stabilization (Optical)
has tracking autofocus
low max shutter speed (1/1,300 seconds)
slow frames per second (2.0 frames per second)
low MP (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Travel Comparison

Canon SX240 HS Travel photography info
Panasonic ZS5 Travel photography info
61
lighter than others in class (224 grams)
flash built-in
really wide (25mm)
long reach (500mm)
missing Timelapse function
low battery (230 shots)
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
63
lighter than competition in class (214 grams)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (25mm)
great zoom (300mm)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
low MP (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon SX240 HS
Landscape photography with Panasonic ZS5
41
focusing manually
really wide (25mm)
screen is a decent size (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
low resolution sensor (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
low battery (230 shots)
missing Timelapse function
32
reasonably wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
tiny screen (2.7")
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
doesn't have Timelapse mode
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon SX240 HS
Vlogging with Panasonic ZS5
34
really wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detect focus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than others in class (224 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
missing microphone socket
31
reasonably wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
has face detection focus
lighter than competition in class (214g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have external microphone support
Photography Glossary

Canon SX240 HS vs Panasonic ZS5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX240 HS and Panasonic ZS5
 Canon PowerShot SX240 HSPanasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Panasonic
Model Canon PowerShot SX240 HS Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5
Also Known as - Lumix DMC-TZ8
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2012-02-07 2010-06-16
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Digic 5 Venus Engine HD II
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 3200 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
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
Number of focus points 9 11
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-500mm (20.0x) 25-300mm (12.0x)
Max aperture f/3.5-6.8 f/3.3-4.9
Macro focus range 5cm 3cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of screen 461 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen tech PureColor II TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15 secs 60 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/3200 secs 1/1300 secs
Continuous shutter rate 2.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 3.50 m 5.30 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (24 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30, 120 fps), 320 x 240 (240 fps) 1280 x 720 (30fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 224 gr (0.49 lb) 214 gr (0.47 lb)
Physical dimensions 106 x 61 x 33mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.3") 103 x 60 x 32mm (4.1" x 2.4" 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 230 images -
Battery style Battery Pack -
Battery model NB-6L -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots One One
Price at release $0 $300