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Canon SX280 HS vs Panasonic ZS15

Portability
91
Imaging
36
Features
43
Overall
38
Canon PowerShot SX280 HS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15 front
Portability
92
Imaging
36
Features
37
Overall
36

Canon SX280 HS vs Panasonic ZS15 Key Specs

Canon SX280 HS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-500mm (F3.5-6.8) lens
  • 233g - 106 x 63 x 33mm
  • Introduced March 2013
  • Replaced the Canon SX270 HS
Panasonic ZS15
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • 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
  • Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-TZ25
  • Updated by Panasonic ZS20
Photography Glossary

Canon SX280 HS vs Panasonic ZS15 Overview

Below is a complete review of the Canon SX280 HS and Panasonic ZS15, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by brands Canon and Panasonic. The image resolution of the SX280 HS (12MP) and the ZS15 (12MP) is very similar and both cameras have the same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The SX280 HS was brought out 9 months later than the ZS15 and they are both of a similar generation. Each of the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before delving straight to a step-by-step comparison, here is a concise overview of how the SX280 HS grades versus the ZS15 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX280 HS over the Panasonic ZS15

 SX280 HS ZS15 
AnnouncedMarch 2013June 2012More recent by 9 months
Manually focus Very precise focusing
Display resolution461k460kClearer display (+1k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS15 over the Canon SX280 HS

 ZS15 SX280 HS 

Common features in the Canon SX280 HS and Panasonic ZS15

 SX280 HS ZS15 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display measurement
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch display Neither features Touch display

Canon SX280 HS vs Panasonic ZS15 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is going to lug around your camera often, you'll have to consider its weight and proportions. The Canon SX280 HS enjoys outside dimensions of 106mm x 63mm x 33mm (4.2" x 2.5" x 1.3") having a weight of 233 grams (0.51 lbs) while the Panasonic ZS15 has measurements of 105mm x 58mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 208 grams (0.46 lbs).

Contrast the Canon SX280 HS and Panasonic ZS15 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you have during that time. Following is a front view size comparison of the SX280 HS versus the ZS15.

Canon SX280 HS vs Panasonic ZS15 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the SX280 HS and ZS15 is 91 and 92 respectively.

Canon SX280 HS vs Panasonic ZS15 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX280 HS vs Panasonic ZS15 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is tough to picture the gap between sensor measurements purely by going over technical specs. The visual below will provide you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the SX280 HS and ZS15.

As you can tell, both of the cameras have the same sensor dimensions and the same exact megapixels and you should expect similar quality of photographs however you should really consider the release date of the products into consideration. The fresher SX280 HS should have a benefit in sensor tech.

Canon SX280 HS vs Panasonic ZS15 sensor size comparison

Canon SX280 HS vs Panasonic ZS15 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX280 HS vs Panasonic ZS15 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX280 HS Portrait photography information
Panasonic ZS15 Portrait photography information
34
has manual focus
includes face detection focusing
can't use external flash
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
21
manual focus not available
cannot use external flash
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon SX280 HS
Street photography with Panasonic ZS15
61
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (233 grams)
no moving screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
61
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (208g)
no articulating screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX280 HS Sports photography highlights
Panasonic ZS15 Sports photography highlights
36
great zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
includes tracking autofocus
painfully slow continuous shooting (4.0 frames per second)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
not so great battery power (210 CIPA)
lacks phase detect AF
36
great zoom range (24-384mm 16.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
comes with tracking focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
low resolution sensor (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
not so great battery life (260 shots)
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon SX280 HS
Travel photography with Panasonic ZS15
61
lighter than competition (233 grams)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (25mm)
long reach (500mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
not so great battery power (210 CIPA)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.5)
61
lighter than competition in class (208g)
flash built-in
rather wide (24mm)
very long reach (384mm)
lack of Timelapse function
not so great battery life (260 shots)
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX280 HS Landscape photography features
Panasonic ZS15 Landscape photography features
41
has manual focus
reasonably wide (25mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
not so great battery power (210 per charge)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
37
rather wide (24mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
low resolution sensor (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
not so great battery life (260 shots)
lack of Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX280 HS Vlogging advice
Panasonic ZS15 Vlogging advice
34
reasonably wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detection focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition (233 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
screen is not selfie friendly
doesn't have external mic jack
33
rather wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition in class (208 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of microphone support
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Canon SX280 HS vs Panasonic ZS15 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX280 HS and Panasonic ZS15
 Canon PowerShot SX280 HSPanasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15
General Information
Make Canon Panasonic
Model type Canon PowerShot SX280 HS Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15
Also Known as - Lumix DMC-TZ25
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2013-03-21 2012-06-29
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Digic 6 -
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 surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points - 23
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-500mm (20.0x) 24-384mm (16.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.5-6.8 f/3.3-5.9
Macro focusing distance 5cm 3cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 461k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15 secs 15 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/3200 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 4.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 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
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60, 30 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 file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In 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 233 gr (0.51 pounds) 208 gr (0.46 pounds)
Physical dimensions 106 x 63 x 33mm (4.2" x 2.5" x 1.3") 105 x 58 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" 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 210 photos 260 photos
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NB-6L -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots One One
Cost at release $325 $279