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Canon SX260 HS vs Panasonic ZS7

Portability
91
Imaging
35
Features
44
Overall
38
Canon PowerShot SX260 HS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS7 front
Portability
91
Imaging
35
Features
33
Overall
34

Canon SX260 HS vs Panasonic ZS7 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
  • Released June 2012
  • Older Model is Canon SX240 HS
  • Updated by Canon SX270 HS
Panasonic ZS7
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-300mm (F3.3-4.9) lens
  • 218g - 103 x 60 x 33mm
  • Announced July 2011
  • Also Known as Lumix DMC-TZ10
  • Updated by Panasonic ZS8
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Canon SX260 HS vs Panasonic ZS7 Overview

Here is a in-depth overview of the Canon SX260 HS and Panasonic ZS7, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by manufacturers Canon and Panasonic. The image resolution of the SX260 HS (12MP) and the ZS7 (12MP) is very close and both cameras posses the identical sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The SX260 HS was manufactured 11 months later than the ZS7 so they are both of a similar age. Each of these cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before diving right into a more detailed comparison, here is a quick view of how the SX260 HS matches up versus the ZS7 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX260 HS over the Panasonic ZS7

 SX260 HS ZS7 
AnnouncedJune 2012July 2011Fresher by 11 months
Manual focus Dial exact focusing
Display resolution461k460kSharper display (+1k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS7 over the Canon SX260 HS

 ZS7 SX260 HS 

Common features in the Canon SX260 HS and Panasonic ZS7

 SX260 HS ZS7 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display size3"3"Same display sizing
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch display Neither features Touch display

Canon SX260 HS vs Panasonic ZS7 Physical Comparison

If you're intending to carry your camera frequently, you'll need to factor in its weight and proportions. The Canon SX260 HS enjoys exterior measurements of 106mm x 61mm x 33mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.3") with a weight of 231 grams (0.51 lbs) and the Panasonic ZS7 has measurements of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 218 grams (0.48 lbs).

Check the Canon SX260 HS and Panasonic ZS7 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you choose at that time. Following is a front view overall size comparison of the SX260 HS versus the ZS7.

Canon SX260 HS vs Panasonic ZS7 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SX260 HS and ZS7 is 91 and 91 respectively.

Canon SX260 HS vs Panasonic ZS7 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX260 HS vs Panasonic ZS7 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it's difficult to see the contrast in sensor sizing purely by viewing specifications. The photograph below should give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the SX260 HS and ZS7.

To sum up, both of these cameras feature the identical sensor size and the same MP so you can expect comparable quality of files however you need to factor the age of the cameras into account. The fresher SX260 HS is going to have an edge when it comes to sensor tech.

Canon SX260 HS vs Panasonic ZS7 sensor size comparison

Canon SX260 HS vs Panasonic ZS7 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX260 HS vs Panasonic ZS7 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX260 HS Portrait photography information
Panasonic ZS7 Portrait photography information
37
has manual focus
comes with face detect focusing
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
21
lack of manual focus
no external flash support
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Canon SX260 HS Street photography info
Panasonic ZS7 Street photography info
60
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (231 grams)
fixed screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
60
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (218g)
fixed screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX260 HS Sports photography info
Panasonic ZS7 Sports photography info
36
great zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
comes with tracking focus
max frames per second very slow (2.0 frames/s)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
not so great battery life (230 per charge)
has no phase detect AF
27
built in image stabilization (Optical)
max frames per second low (2.0 fps)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon SX260 HS
Travel photography with Panasonic ZS7
61
lighter than others (231g)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (25mm)
long reach (500mm)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
not so great battery life (230 shots)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
does not have selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
63
lighter than average (218g)
has built in flash
really wide (25mm)
very long reach (300mm)
lack of Timelapse recording
MP count low (12 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon SX260 HS
Landscape photography with Panasonic ZS7
41
has manual focus
reasonably wide (25mm)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
not so great battery life (230 per charge)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
38
really wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
MP count low (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
lack of Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon SX260 HS
Vlogging with Panasonic ZS7
34
reasonably wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detect focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than others (231g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
does not have selfie friendly screen
doesn't have microphone jack
30
really wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (218 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
screen is not selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of microphone jack
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Canon SX260 HS vs Panasonic ZS7 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX260 HS and Panasonic ZS7
 Canon PowerShot SX260 HSPanasonic Lumix DMC-ZS7
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Panasonic
Model type Canon PowerShot SX260 HS Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS7
Otherwise known as - Lumix DMC-TZ10
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2012-06-04 2011-07-19
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor 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 area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 3200 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 9 11
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-500mm (20.0x) 25-300mm (12.0x)
Max aperture f/3.5-6.8 f/3.3-4.9
Macro focusing distance 5cm 3cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3" 3"
Screen resolution 461k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen tech PureColor II TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15 seconds 60 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/3200 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 2.0 frames per sec 2.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 3.50 m 5.30 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
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) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format H.264 AVCHD Lite
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 BuiltIn
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 231 grams (0.51 lb) 218 grams (0.48 lb)
Physical 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 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 -
Battery format Battery Pack -
Battery ID NB-6L -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots One One
Price at launch $349 $350