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Canon SX260 HS vs Panasonic ZS15

Portability
91
Imaging
35
Features
44
Overall
38
Canon PowerShot SX260 HS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15 front
Portability
92
Imaging
35
Features
37
Overall
35

Canon SX260 HS vs Panasonic ZS15 Key Specs

Canon SX260 HS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-500mm (F3.5-6.8) lens
  • 231g - 106 x 61 x 33mm
  • Revealed June 2012
  • Old Model is Canon SX240 HS
  • Successor is Canon SX270 HS
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 Known as Lumix DMC-TZ25
  • New Model is Panasonic ZS20
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Canon SX260 HS vs Panasonic ZS15 Overview

Its time to take a more detailed look at the Canon SX260 HS and Panasonic ZS15, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by manufacturers Canon and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the SX260 HS (12MP) and the ZS15 (12MP) is relatively comparable and they feature the exact same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The SX260 HS was launched at a similar time to the ZS15 so they are both of a similar generation. Both of the cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before diving straight into a thorough comparison, below is a simple summation of how the SX260 HS grades vs the ZS15 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX260 HS over the Panasonic ZS15

 SX260 HS ZS15 
Manual focus Dial exact focusing
Screen resolution461k460kClearer screen (+1k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS15 over the Canon SX260 HS

 ZS15 SX260 HS 

Common features in the Canon SX260 HS and Panasonic ZS15

 SX260 HS ZS15 
AnnouncedJune 2012June 2012Same generation
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen dimensions
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch screen Absent Touch screen

Canon SX260 HS vs Panasonic ZS15 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is planning to lug around your camera regularly, you'll have to factor its weight and size. The Canon SX260 HS enjoys outer dimensions of 106mm x 61mm x 33mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.3") with a weight of 231 grams (0.51 lbs) whilst the Panasonic ZS15 has specifications of 105mm x 58mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 208 grams (0.46 lbs).

Look at the Canon SX260 HS and Panasonic ZS15 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are utilizing during that time. Underneath is the front view proportions comparison of the SX260 HS vs the ZS15.

Canon SX260 HS vs Panasonic ZS15 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the SX260 HS and ZS15 is 91 and 92 respectively.

Canon SX260 HS vs Panasonic ZS15 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX260 HS vs Panasonic ZS15 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is hard to imagine the difference in sensor measurements merely by seeing specifications. The graphic underneath will help offer you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the SX260 HS and ZS15.

Plainly, each of the cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements and the same exact MP so you should expect comparable quality of pictures though you should really consider the release date of the cameras into account.

Canon SX260 HS vs Panasonic ZS15 sensor size comparison

Canon SX260 HS vs Panasonic ZS15 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX260 HS vs Panasonic ZS15 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX260 HS Portrait photography highlights
Panasonic ZS15 Portrait photography highlights
37
manual focus
supports face detect focus
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
21
focusing manually not possible
cannot use external flash
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon SX260 HS Street photography factors
Panasonic ZS15 Street photography factors
60
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (231 grams)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
61
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (208g)
screen is fixed
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX260 HS as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic ZS15 as a Sports photography camera
36
incredible zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports tracking focus
low frames per second (2.0 frames per second)
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
bad battery pack (230 shots)
no phase detect auto focus
36
incredible zoom range (24-384mm 16.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
provides tracking focus
low fps (2.0 frames/s)
resolution not great (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
bad battery power (260 shots)
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon SX260 HS
Travel photography with Panasonic ZS15
61
lighter than competition in class (231 grams)
built-in flash
really wide (25mm)
long reach (500mm)
lack of Time Lapse recording
bad battery pack (230 shots)
low resolution sensor (12MP)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
61
lighter than competition (208 grams)
built-in flash
decently wide (24mm)
very long zoom (384mm)
lack of Timelapse function
bad battery power (260 CIPA)
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX260 HS Landscape photography information
Panasonic ZS15 Landscape photography information
41
manual focus
really wide (25mm)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
bad battery pack (230 shots)
lack of Time Lapse recording
36
decently wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
bad battery power (260 shots)
lack of Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX260 HS as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic ZS15 as a Vlogging camera
34
really wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition in class (231 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
lack of mic port
33
decently wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition (208g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
lack of microphone jack
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Canon SX260 HS vs Panasonic ZS15 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX260 HS and Panasonic ZS15
 Canon PowerShot SX260 HSPanasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15
General Information
Brand Name Canon Panasonic
Model Canon PowerShot SX260 HS Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15
Also called - Lumix DMC-TZ25
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2012-06-04 2012-06-29
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Digic 5 -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 3200 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 9 23
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-500mm (20.0x) 24-384mm (16.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.5-6.8 f/3.3-5.9
Macro focus range 5cm 3cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3" 3"
Display resolution 461 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display tech PureColor II TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15s 15s
Highest shutter speed 1/3200s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting speed 2.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 3.50 m 6.40 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (24 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30, 120 fps), 320 x 240 (240 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format H.264 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 BuiltIn None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 231 gr (0.51 pounds) 208 gr (0.46 pounds)
Dimensions 106 x 61 x 33mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.3") 105 x 58 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 260 images
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NB-6L -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Pricing at launch $349 $279