Canon SX50 HS vs Panasonic ZS1
65 Imaging
36 Features
55 Overall
43


91 Imaging
33 Features
25 Overall
29
Canon SX50 HS vs Panasonic ZS1 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.8" Fully Articulated Screen
- ISO 80 - 6400
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 24-1200mm (F3.4-6.5) lens
- 595g - 123 x 87 x 106mm
- Revealed January 2013
- Replaced the Canon SX40 HS
- New Model is Canon SX60 HS
(Full Review)
- 10MP - 1/2.5" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 6400
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 640 x 480 video
- 25-300mm (F3.3-4.9) lens
- 229g - 103 x 60 x 33mm
- Announced May 2009
- Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-TZ6

Canon SX50 HS vs Panasonic ZS1 Overview
Here, we will be comparing the Canon SX50 HS vs Panasonic ZS1, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by manufacturers Canon and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the SX50 HS (12MP) and the ZS1 (10MP) is pretty similar but the SX50 HS (1/2.3") and ZS1 (1/2.5") boast totally different sensor size.

The SX50 HS was revealed 3 years after the ZS1 which is quite a significant difference as far as tech is concerned. The two cameras feature different body design with the Canon SX50 HS being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Panasonic ZS1 being a Compact camera.
Before we go right into a more detailed comparison, here is a short summary of how the SX50 HS grades against the ZS1 for portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Canon SX50 HS vs Panasonic ZS1 Gallery
Below is a preview of the gallery images for Canon PowerShot SX50 HS & Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1. The full galleries are provided at Canon SX50 HS Gallery & Panasonic ZS1 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX50 HS over the Panasonic ZS1
SX50 HS | ZS1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | January 2013 | ![]() | May 2009 | More modern by 45 months |
Focus manually | ![]() | Dial precise focus | ||
Screen type | Fully Articulated | ![]() | Fixed | Fully Articulating screen |
Screen size | 2.8" | ![]() | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.1") |
Screen resolution | 461k | ![]() | 230k | Clearer screen (+231k dot) |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Take selfies |
Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS1 over the Canon SX50 HS
ZS1 | SX50 HS |
---|
Common features in the Canon SX50 HS and Panasonic ZS1
SX50 HS | ZS1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Touch screen | ![]() | Lack of Touch screen |
Canon SX50 HS vs Panasonic ZS1 Physical Comparison
If you're looking to carry around your camera frequently, you have to think about its weight and dimensions. The Canon SX50 HS enjoys outside measurements of 123mm x 87mm x 106mm (4.8" x 3.4" x 4.2") along with a weight of 595 grams (1.31 lbs) whilst the Panasonic ZS1 has dimensions of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") along with a weight of 229 grams (0.50 lbs).
Take a look at the Canon SX50 HS vs Panasonic ZS1 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember that, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you have chosen at that moment. Below is a front view proportions comparison of the SX50 HS vs the ZS1.

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the SX50 HS and ZS1 is 65 and 91 respectively.

Canon SX50 HS vs Panasonic ZS1 Sensor Comparison
Oftentimes, it can be tough to see the gap between sensor sizes merely by reviewing specifications. The pic below will help provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the SX50 HS and ZS1.
To sum up, both of those cameras come with different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The SX50 HS using its bigger sensor will make achieving shallower depth of field easier and the Canon SX50 HS will offer more detail because of its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop photographs a good deal more aggressively. The fresher SX50 HS is going to have a benefit in sensor tech.

Canon SX50 HS vs Panasonic ZS1 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX50 HS vs Panasonic ZS1 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SX50 HS | Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Canon | Panasonic |
Model type | Canon PowerShot SX50 HS | Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1 |
Also called | - | Lumix DMC-TZ6 |
Class | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Revealed | 2013-01-15 | 2009-05-14 |
Physical type | SLR-like (bridge) | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | Digic 5 | - |
Sensor type | BSI-CMOS | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.5" |
Sensor dimensions | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 5.744 x 4.308mm |
Sensor surface area | 28.1mm² | 24.7mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12MP | 10MP |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 5:4, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2 |
Full resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 3648 x 2736 |
Max native ISO | 6400 | 6400 |
Min native ISO | 80 | 100 |
RAW images | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
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 | 24-1200mm (50.0x) | 25-300mm (12.0x) |
Maximal aperture | f/3.4-6.5 | f/3.3-4.9 |
Macro focusing range | 0cm | 3cm |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 6.3 |
Screen | ||
Type of screen | Fully Articulated | Fixed Type |
Screen size | 2.8 inch | 2.7 inch |
Screen resolution | 461 thousand dots | 230 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch functionality | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Electronic | None |
Viewfinder resolution | 202 thousand dots | - |
Viewfinder coverage | 100% | - |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 15s | 60s |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/2000s | 1/2000s |
Continuous shooting rate | 2.0 frames per sec | 3.0 frames per sec |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Change white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | 5.50 m | 5.30 m (Auto ISO) |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Second Curtain | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Maximum flash synchronize | 1/2000s | - |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (24 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) | 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
Max video resolution | 1920x1080 | 640x480 |
Video format | H.264 | Motion JPEG |
Mic port | ||
Headphone port | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environment sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 595g (1.31 lbs) | 229g (0.50 lbs) |
Physical dimensions | 123 x 87 x 106mm (4.8" x 3.4" x 4.2") | 103 x 60 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around rating | 47 | not tested |
DXO Color Depth rating | 20.3 | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range rating | 11.2 | not tested |
DXO Low light rating | 179 | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery life | 315 shots | - |
Battery type | Battery Pack | - |
Battery ID | NB-10L | - |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal |
Card slots | Single | Single |
Pricing at launch | $429 | $0 |