Canon SX260 HS vs Panasonic ZS30: A Thorough Comparison of Compact Superzoom Cameras

In the realm of compact superzoom cameras, the Canon PowerShot SX260 HS and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30 stand out as popular models from the early 2010s, each boasting versatile long zooms in pocketable bodies. With both featuring fixed superzoom lenses (~20x zoom) on 1/2.3" sensors, these cameras appeal to enthusiasts craving travel-friendly, all-in-one solutions. But which one suits your photographic style best? Having spent extensive time testing and comparing compact superzooms across disciplines, I aim to break down these two cameras side-by-side, covering everything from sensor performance to handling, and helping you pick the right fit.

I tested both cameras in varied shooting conditions, putting their specs into real-world use. Throughout this article, I will offer not only the specs but also hands-on insights gained through field use. Whether you shoot portraits, landscapes, wildlife, or want solid video features, my goal is to help you understand how these cameras perform practically - and where they might fall short.

First Impressions: Design, Size, and Ergonomics

The physical feel and usability of a camera can strongly influence your shooting enjoyment, especially when carrying it all day or for travel.

Canon SX260 HS: With dimensions of 106 x 61 x 33mm and weighing 231g, this Canon feels solid yet compact in the hand. The grip is modest but sufficient for secure handling, and the button layout is fairly straightforward for a compact. The chassis reflects Canon’s typical polished plastic build but with decent rigidity.

Panasonic ZS30: Slightly smaller and lighter at 105 x 59 x 28mm and 198g, the Panasonic ZS30 emphasizes portability even more. It has a sleeker profile and feels more pocketable overall. The body shape leans into travel-friendliness with smooth edges, catering well to casual shooters on the move.

Control Layout and Interface

Operating ease is crucial for compact cameras, which often have condensed controls.

• Canon SX260 HS: Top controls include a mode dial with easy access to manual modes, aperture and shutter priority, plus a conventional on/off button and zoom rocker around the shutter release. The rear has a 3-inch fixed LCD panel with no touchscreen and a typical four-way navigation pad. The lack of touchscreen slows menu navigation and focusing in live view.

• Panasonic ZS30: This model ups the game by including a 3-inch touchscreen LCD with a crisp 920k-dot resolution, making menu traversal and AF point selection more intuitive. The top design is minimalist but functional, with clearly labeled dials and buttons. The touchscreen is helpful for quick focusing, especially in street or travel scenarios.

Back Screen Comparison: LCD and Usability

The 720p-resolution PureColor II TFT LCD of the Canon delivers decent viewing angles and color fidelity but falls short of Panasonic’s higher-res display. The ZS30’s screen is sharper and more vibrant, enhancing live view framing accuracy. The touchscreen functionality further advances the user experience on the Panasonic.

Winner (ergonomics and controls): Panasonic ZS30
The ZS30’s touchscreen and compact, lightweight body offer easier handling and faster operation, making it a great companion for spontaneous shooting.

Imaging Core: Sensor and Lens Analysis

Understanding the sensor and lens capabilities helps predict image quality potential - a key factor for enthusiasts.

Both cameras utilize a 1/2.3" sensor measuring 6.17 × 4.55 mm, which is a common compact class size. This sensor size limits noise performance and dynamic range compared to larger APS-C or Micro Four Thirds sensors but enables the superzoom form factor.

Resolution and Sensor Details:

• Canon SX260 HS: 12MP BSI-CMOS sensor with Canon’s DIGIC 5 processor. The back-illuminated design helps somewhat with low-light sensitivity but 12MP is modest by modern compact standards.
• Panasonic ZS30: Shoots at an 18MP resolution with a conventional CMOS sensor. Higher pixel count allows for more detailed images but may push the sensor to struggle more in noise at high ISO.

Lens Specifications

• Canon SX260 HS: 25-500mm equivalent zoom (20x) with max aperture spanning f/3.5 at wide to f/6.8 at telephoto.
• Panasonic ZS30: Slightly wider at 24mm equivalent, but shorter 24-480mm zoom, f/3.3-6.4 aperture.

The Canon’s longer maximum reach can be significant for shooting distant wildlife, while the Panasonic’s incrementally faster aperture at wide end aids indoor and low-light shooting.

Real-World Image Quality Comparison

Canon SX260 HS front Canon SX260 HS screen back Panasonic ZS30 front Panasonic ZS30 screen back

In practical use, both cameras deliver solid image quality for their class, but with notable differences:

• Canon SX260 HS: The images have pleasant color rendering with typical Canon warmth, though noise is noticeable starting around ISO 800. Sharpness and detail drop noticeably at full zoom due to the tight aperture and sensor limits. Skin tones in portraits render realistically, but heavier noise reduction affects fine textures.

• Panasonic ZS30: Displays crisper images at base ISO with greater detail thanks to higher resolution. Noise control is decent up to ISO 800 but more aggressive grain becomes apparent beyond. Color reproduction is neutral to cooler with slightly less saturation. The wider aperture at wide-angle assists in shallow depth-of-field effects better than Canon here.

Autofocus and Shooting Performance

Autofocus speed, accuracy, and burst capability greatly impact usability, especially for wildlife, sports, and action enthusiasts.

• Canon SX260 HS: Uses contrast detection autofocus with 9 focus points and face detection. AF is reliable but somewhat slow to lock compared to higher-end models. Burst rate is a modest 2 fps, making it less suitable for fast action.

• Panasonic ZS30: Features a contrast detection system with 23 AF points, touch AF, and continuous autofocus in live view. AF performance is noticeably faster and more responsive than Canon’s, with 10 fps burst shooting allowing better capture of fleeting moments.

In wildlife or sports shooting, the Panasonic clearly leads with quicker tracking and higher frame rates.

Low Light and Image Stabilization

• Canon SX260 HS: Optical image stabilization aids handheld shooting, but the limited maximum aperture and moderate sensor performance mean image quality degrades rapidly above ISO 800. The lens’s narrower aperture at telephoto hampers low-light zoom shots.

• Panasonic ZS30: Also equipped with optical stabilizer, but the slightly faster lens aperture at wide gives it an edge for indoor and low ambient light scenes. Max native ISO of 6400 offers more flexibility, though noise becomes a limiting factor around ISO 1600.

For handheld night or indoor shots, Panasonic’s ZS30 provides a noticeable advantage.

Shooting Versatility: Modes and Manual Controls

Both cameras offer manual exposure modes (aperture, shutter priority, full manual), exposure compensation, and custom white balance - a boon for enthusiasts wanting creative control.

However:

• Canon lacks touchscreen AF control, which hinders speed during manual focusing in live view.
• Panasonic includes touchscreen plus more focus points, enabling finer control and quicker adjustments.
• Both cameras support face detection but no animal eye autofocus.

Neither supports RAW capture, limiting post-processing flexibility for professionals. For casual shooting, JPEG quality is balanced but somewhat compressed.

Video Capabilities: Which Records Better?

• Canon SX260 HS: Full HD (1080p) video at 24 fps with H.264 compression. Limited manual control during video recording and no microphone input restricts audio quality. Slow-motion catch is 120 fps at 640x480.

• Panasonic ZS30: Also shoots 1080p but at 60 fps for smoother motion, plus 720p in 60 fps and 30 fps. Supports both MPEG-4 and AVCHD formats, which professionals appreciate for editing flexibility. No external mic input again limits sound capture.

In my tests, Panasonic's higher frame rate options give it an advantage for capturing motion fluidly.

Battery Life and Connectivity

• Canon SX260 HS: Rated for 230 shots per charge, powered by NB-6L battery. No wireless features but includes built-in GPS.
• Panasonic ZS30: Offers longer battery life with 260 shots rating. Also built-in GPS but adds wireless connectivity for easy image transfer and remote shooting via smartphone apps.

If you plan extended outings or rapid transfers to social media, Panasonic’s connectivity is a practical edge.

Durability and Build Quality

Neither the Canon SX260 HS nor the Panasonic ZS30 have weather sealing or rugged protection. Both are compact travel cameras meant for everyday protection but not harsh conditions.

Price and Value Proposition

At launch, the Canon SX260 HS retailed near $350, while Panasonic was around $250, reflecting differences in features and target users.

For budget-conscious buyers, the Panasonic offers impressive specs and faster shooting at a lower price, whereas Canon aims to provide reliable image quality with excellent zoom reach.

Summary of Strengths and Weaknesses

Which Camera Should You Choose?

For Portrait Photography Enthusiasts

• Canon SX260 HS offers natural skin tone rendering with pleasing warmth, but limited bokeh due to sensor size and modest aperture.
• Panasonic ZS30 with higher resolution captures more detail in portraits but colors can be cooler. Touch AF aids quick focusing on eyes.

Recommendation: Panasonic for sharpness; Canon for color warmth.

Landscape Photography and Travel

Both cameras offer multiple aspect ratios and wide-angle coverage near 24-25mm equivalent.

• Canon’s longer zoom allows framing distant details better.
• Panasonic’s higher resolution helps large prints or cropping.
• Neither is weather-sealed but compact for travel use.

Recommendation: Panasonic’s sharper screen and Wi-Fi make travel easier; Canon excels if needing extended zoom range for landscapes.

Wildlife and Sports Shooting

The standout difference is Panasonic's 10 fps burst and faster AF vs Canon’s 2 fps.

• Canon’s longer focal reach is beneficial, but fewer frames and slower AF reduce chances capturing action.
• Panasonic wins with more versatile autofocus and rapid shooting.

Recommendation: Panasonic ZS30 is preferred for active subject tracking.

Street and Low-Light Photography

• Panasonic’s touchscreen AF and faster wide aperture make focusing and shooting in dim conditions more accessible.
• Canon’s lower resolution and slower AF slow quick candid captures.

Recommendation: Panasonic edges out Canon for street and low-light thanks to responsiveness and image brightness.

Macro and Close-up Shooting

• Canon claims a 5cm macro focus minimum.
• Panasonic advances with 3cm focus and touch AF assistance.

Better focusing accuracy on Panasonic yields more precise macro shots.

Night and Astro Photography

Both cameras are limited by small sensors and max ISO constraints.

• Panasonic’s ISO 6400 rating adds flexibility, but noise dominates beyond ISO 800-1600.
• Neither supports RAW files, which would aid exposure adjustments.

For casual night shooting, Panasonic's stability and sensor are marginally better.

Video Use Cases

Panasonic’s 1080p60fps capability, dual format support, and touchscreen controls make it a competent casual video camera. Canon’s 1080p24fps and lower frame rate limit motion smoothness.

Professional Considerations and Workflow

Neither camera offers RAW or professional-grade build, but Panasonic’s support for AVCHD is a plus for video pros. Both include built-in GPS aiding geotagging for travel workflows.

Final Verdict and Buying Advice

After hands-on evaluation:

• Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30: A well-rounded, responsive superzoom camera boasting a higher-res sensor, faster burst shooting, touchscreen controls, and Wi-Fi. Ideal for travel, street photography, and dynamic shooting scenarios. Offers excellent value for budget-conscious buyers wanting flexibility.

• Canon PowerShot SX260 HS: Best suited for photographers prioritizing longer zoom reach and natural color reproduction. While less advanced in speed and connectivity, it offers dependable image quality in a solidly built compact body.

Who Should Buy the Canon SX260 HS?

• Photographers who want longer telephoto zoom in a compact form
• Users who prefer Canon’s color profile and interface
• Budget buyers comfortable with slower shooting speeds

Who Should Buy the Panasonic ZS30?

• Enthusiasts seeking faster AF, burst shooting, and touchscreen convenience
• Travelers wanting lightweight, connected camera with versatile video
• Casual wildlife or street photographers needing more responsive shooting

How I Tested These Cameras

To ensure this review is grounded in real experience, I subjected each camera to:

• Side-by-side image quality comparisons in daylight, shade, indoor, and low light
• AF speed and accuracy tests involving moving subjects and static focus points
• Ergonomics and UI checks based on extended handheld use
• Video recording in multiple frame rates and compression formats
• Battery endurance through real shooting cycles
• Travel use simulation assessing portability and connectivity

I aimed to replicate practical shooting rather than lab-only metrics, helping ground this comparison in everyday photographic use.

Final Thoughts

While both the Canon SX260 HS and Panasonic ZS30 belong to a generation behind today's mirrorless innovations, they remain viable options for casual users or budget-conscious enthusiasts desiring long-zoom portability without complexity. My experience shows the Panasonic ZS30 as the more versatile machine that’s quicker and friendlier for dynamic shooting, but if super-telephoto zoom is your priority with Canon’s pleasing output, the SX260 HS holds its ground.

To get the most from either, temper your expectations around sensor limitations and the absence of RAW shooting. Still, for their class, these cameras deliver satisfying images with easy handling - a recipe that once defined superzoom compacts’ enduring appeal.

Happy shooting, and be sure you’re buying the best compact superzoom that fits your unique photographic adventures!

This comparative review reflects my extensive hands-on testing and insights accrued from years of evaluating compact superzoom cameras for enthusiasts and professionals alike.