Canon SX260 HS vs Panasonic ZS3
Portability
91 Imaging
36 Features
44 Overall
39
91 Imaging
36 Features
44 Overall
39
Portability
91 Imaging
33 Features
30 Overall
31
91 Imaging
33 Features
30 Overall
31
Canon SX260 HS vs Panasonic ZS3 Key Specs
Canon SX260 HS
(Full Review)
(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
- Released June 2012
- Earlier Model is Canon SX240 HS
- New Model is Canon SX270 HS
Panasonic ZS3
(Full Review)
(Full Review)
- 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 6400
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 25-300mm (F3.3-4.9) lens
- 229g - 103 x 60 x 33mm
- Introduced May 2009
- Additionally Known as Lumix DMC-TZ7
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Its time to examine more in depth at the Canon SX260 HS vs Panasonic ZS3, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by competitors Canon and Panasonic. The resolution of the SX260 HS (12MP) and the ZS3 (10MP) is relatively close and they enjoy the same exact sensor dimensions (1/2.3").
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD CardsThe SX260 HS was brought out 3 years later than the ZS3 and that is a fairly big difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).
Before diving in to a full comparison, below is a concise overview of how the SX260 HS scores against the ZS3 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.
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Following is a preview of the gallery photos for Canon PowerShot SX260 HS & Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3. The entire galleries are available at Canon SX260 HS Gallery & Panasonic ZS3 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX260 HS over the Panasonic ZS3
| SX260 HS | ZS3 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Introduced | June 2012 |  | May 2009 | Fresher by 38 months |
| Manually focus |  | Very accurate focusing | ||
| Screen resolution | 461k |  | 460k | Sharper screen (+1k dot) |
Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS3 over the Canon SX260 HS
| ZS3 | SX260 HS |
|---|
Common features in the Canon SX260 HS and Panasonic ZS3
| SX260 HS | ZS3 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screen type | Fixed |  | Fixed | Fixed screen |
| Screen sizing | 3" |  | 3" | Equivalent screen sizing |
| Selfie screen |  | Absent selfie screen | ||
| Touch friendly screen |  | Absent Touch friendly screen |
Canon SX260 HS vs Panasonic ZS3 Physical Comparison
If you're going to carry your camera often, you have to think about its weight and volume. The Canon SX260 HS comes with outside measurements of 106mm x 61mm x 33mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.3") and a weight of 231 grams (0.51 lbs) whilst the Panasonic ZS3 has sizing of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 229 grams (0.50 lbs).
Check out the Canon SX260 HS vs Panasonic ZS3 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you select at that time. Here is the front view overall size comparison of the SX260 HS vs the ZS3.
Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SX260 HS and ZS3 is 91 and 91 respectively.
Canon SX260 HS vs Panasonic ZS3 Sensor Comparison
Quite often, its tough to see the contrast in sensor sizing merely by researching a spec sheet. The visual below will offer you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the SX260 HS and ZS3.
Clearly, each of these cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same MP. You can count on the Canon SX260 HS to provide you with greater detail having its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also help you crop pictures far more aggressively. The newer SX260 HS will have a benefit when it comes to sensor technology.
Canon SX260 HS vs Panasonic ZS3 Screen and ViewFinder
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Portrait Comparison
Canon SX260 HS as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic ZS3 as a Portrait photography camera
focusing manually
has face detect autofocus
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
manual focus not available
no manual control
no external flash support
resolution not great (10 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Canon SX260 HS as a Street photography camera
Panasonic ZS3 as a Street photography camera
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (231g)
screen is fixed
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (229 grams)
no articulating screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Sports photography with Canon SX260 HS
Sports photography with Panasonic ZS3
long zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
has tracking focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
resolution not great (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
terrible battery pack (230 shots)
lack of phase detect autofocus
built in image stabilization (Optical)
max frames per second low (2.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
resolution not great (10MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel photography with Canon SX260 HS
Travel photography with Panasonic ZS3
lighter than competition in class (231g)
flash built-in
fairly wide (25mm)
great reach (500mm)
missing Timelapse function
terrible battery pack (230 shots)
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
does not contain selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
lighter than average (229g)
built-in flash
decently wide (25mm)
very long reach (300mm)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
resolution not great (10 megapixels)
does not posses selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
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Canon SX260 HS Landscape photography highlights
Panasonic ZS3 Landscape photography highlights
focusing manually
fairly wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
terrible battery pack (230 per charge)
missing Timelapse function
decently wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
no manual control
resolution not great (10MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
doesn't have Timelapse mode
Photography GlossaryVlogging Comparison
Canon SX260 HS Vlogging features
Panasonic ZS3 Vlogging features
fairly wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition in class (231 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
does not contain selfie friendly display
missing microphone jack
decently wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (229 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
does not posses selfie friendly display
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have external microphone socket
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Canon SX260 HS vs Panasonic ZS3 Specifications
| Canon PowerShot SX260 HS | Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Brand | Canon | Panasonic |
| Model type | Canon PowerShot SX260 HS | Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 |
| Also Known as | - | Lumix DMC-TZ7 |
| Type | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Superzoom |
| Released | 2012-06-04 | 2009-05-14 |
| Physical type | Compact | Compact |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Chip | Digic 5 | - |
| 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 | 10 megapixels |
| Anti alias filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
| Highest Possible resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 3648 x 2736 |
| Maximum native ISO | 3200 | 6400 |
| Min native ISO | 100 | 80 |
| RAW data | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Manual focusing | ||
| Touch focus | ||
| Autofocus continuous | ||
| Autofocus single | ||
| Autofocus tracking | ||
| Selective autofocus | ||
| Center weighted autofocus | ||
| Multi area autofocus | ||
| Autofocus live view | ||
| Face detect autofocus | ||
| Contract detect autofocus | ||
| Phase detect autofocus | ||
| Total focus points | 9 | 11 |
| Lens | ||
| Lens mount type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
| Lens zoom range | 25-500mm (20.0x) | 25-300mm (12.0x) |
| Maximal aperture | f/3.5-6.8 | f/3.3-4.9 |
| Macro focusing range | 5cm | 3cm |
| Crop factor | 5.8 | 5.9 |
| Screen | ||
| Type of display | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
| Display sizing | 3 inches | 3 inches |
| Resolution of display | 461k dots | 460k dots |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch functionality | ||
| Display tech | PureColor II TFT LCD | - |
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder | None | None |
| Features | ||
| Minimum shutter speed | 15 secs | 60 secs |
| Fastest shutter speed | 1/3200 secs | 1/2000 secs |
| Continuous shutter rate | 2.0 frames per sec | 2.0 frames per sec |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Manually set exposure | ||
| Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
| Change white balance | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Built-in flash | ||
| Flash distance | 3.50 m | 5.30 m (Auto ISO) |
| Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync |
| Hot shoe | ||
| Auto exposure bracketing | ||
| WB bracketing | ||
| Exposure | ||
| Multisegment exposure | ||
| Average exposure | ||
| Spot exposure | ||
| Partial exposure | ||
| AF area exposure | ||
| Center weighted exposure | ||
| 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 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
| Maximum video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1280x720 |
| Video format | H.264 | AVCHD Lite |
| Microphone port | ||
| Headphone port | ||
| 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 sealing | ||
| Water proofing | ||
| Dust proofing | ||
| Shock proofing | ||
| Crush proofing | ||
| Freeze proofing | ||
| Weight | 231g (0.51 pounds) | 229g (0.50 pounds) |
| Dimensions | 106 x 61 x 33mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.3") | 103 x 60 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" 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 | 230 shots | - |
| Battery type | Battery Pack | - |
| Battery ID | NB-6L | - |
| Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
| Time lapse feature | ||
| Storage type | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal |
| Card slots | One | One |
| Pricing at release | $349 | $200 |