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Canon SX260 HS vs Panasonic ZS45

Portability
91
Imaging
36
Features
44
Overall
39
Canon PowerShot SX260 HS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS45 front
Portability
91
Imaging
40
Features
55
Overall
46

Canon SX260 HS vs Panasonic ZS45 Key Specs

Canon SX260 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
  • 231g - 106 x 61 x 33mm
  • Introduced June 2012
  • Superseded the Canon SX240 HS
  • Replacement is Canon SX270 HS
Panasonic ZS45
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-480mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 249g - 108 x 60 x 32mm
  • Revealed January 2015
  • Also referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ57
  • Previous Model is Panasonic ZS40
  • Updated by Panasonic ZS50
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Canon SX260 HS vs Panasonic ZS45 Overview

On this page, we will be matching up the Canon SX260 HS and Panasonic ZS45, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by manufacturers Canon and Panasonic. There is a big difference between the image resolutions of the SX260 HS (12MP) and ZS45 (16MP) but both cameras boast the same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The SX260 HS was launched 3 years earlier than the ZS45 which is quite a big gap as far as tech is concerned. Both of these cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before delving straight to a full comparison, here is a brief summation of how the SX260 HS scores vs the ZS45 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX260 HS over the Panasonic ZS45

 SX260 HS ZS45 
Manually focus Dial precise focusing

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS45 over the Canon SX260 HS

 ZS45 SX260 HS 
RevealedJanuary 2015June 2012Newer by 31 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution1040k461kSharper screen (+579k dot)

Common features in the Canon SX260 HS and Panasonic ZS45

 SX260 HS ZS45 
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen measurements
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch friendly screen No Touch friendly screen

Canon SX260 HS vs Panasonic ZS45 Physical Comparison

When you are going to travel with your camera regularly, you have to factor in its weight and volume. The Canon SX260 HS enjoys exterior dimensions of 106mm x 61mm x 33mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.3") with a weight of 231 grams (0.51 lbs) while the Panasonic ZS45 has sizing of 108mm x 60mm x 32mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.3") along with a weight of 249 grams (0.55 lbs).

Compare the Canon SX260 HS and Panasonic ZS45 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you are using at that time. Below is a front view measurements comparison of the SX260 HS vs the ZS45.

Canon SX260 HS vs Panasonic ZS45 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the SX260 HS and ZS45 is 91 and 91 respectively.

Canon SX260 HS vs Panasonic ZS45 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX260 HS vs Panasonic ZS45 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is difficult to see the gap between sensor dimensions only by going over specs. The image underneath should provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the SX260 HS and ZS45.

All in all, both of those cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same megapixels. You should count on the Panasonic ZS45 to offer greater detail utilizing its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will also help you crop pictures more aggressively. The more aged SX260 HS is going to be disadvantaged in sensor technology.

Canon SX260 HS vs Panasonic ZS45 sensor size comparison

Canon SX260 HS vs Panasonic ZS45 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX260 HS vs Panasonic ZS45 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX260 HS Portrait photography information
Panasonic ZS45 Portrait photography information
37
you can focus manually
comes with face detect focusing
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
37
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
has face detection focusing
focusing manually not possible
external flash not possible
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Canon SX260 HS Street photography details
Panasonic ZS45 Street photography details
61
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (231 grams)
no articulating screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
69
tilting screen
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (249g)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX260 HS Sports photography highlights
Panasonic ZS45 Sports photography highlights
36
amazing zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
comes with tracking focus
low frames per second (2.0 frames/s)
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
not so great battery power (230 per charge)
lacks phase detect AF
55
great zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
has tracking autofocus
great battery (350 CIPA)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Canon SX260 HS as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic ZS45 as a Travel photography camera
61
lighter than competition (231g)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (25mm)
great zoom (500mm)
lack of Time Lapse function
not so great battery power (230 shots)
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.5)
71
great battery (350 per charge)
lighter than competitors in class (249 grams)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
really wide (24mm)
very long reach (480mm)
does not have Timelapse recording
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX260 HS Landscape photography information
Panasonic ZS45 Landscape photography information
41
you can focus manually
reasonably wide (25mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
not so great battery power (230 shots)
lack of Time Lapse function
47
really wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
great battery (350 shots)
focusing manually not possible
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
does not have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon SX260 HS
Vlogging with Panasonic ZS45
34
reasonably wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detect focusing
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition (231 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of mic support
34
really wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
has face detection focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competitors in class (249g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
does not have external microphone socket
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Canon SX260 HS vs Panasonic ZS45 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX260 HS and Panasonic ZS45
 Canon PowerShot SX260 HSPanasonic Lumix DMC-ZS45
General Information
Brand Canon Panasonic
Model type Canon PowerShot SX260 HS Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS45
Also called - Lumix DMC-TZ57
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2012-06-04 2015-01-06
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Digic 5 -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
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 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4000 x 3000 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 3200 6400
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 9 21
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-500mm (20.0x) 24-480mm (20.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.5-6.8 f/3.3-6.4
Macro focusing range 5cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen size 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 461 thousand dots 1,040 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen tech PureColor II TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15s 4s
Maximum shutter speed 1/3200s 1/2000s
Continuous shooting rate 2.0 frames per second 10.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 3.50 m 6.00 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
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 (30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format H.264 MPEG-4
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 231g (0.51 lb) 249g (0.55 lb)
Physical dimensions 106 x 61 x 33mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.3") 108 x 60 x 32mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 photos 350 photos
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID 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
Card slots One One
Price at launch $349 $300