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Canon SX500 IS vs Panasonic ZS1

Portability
80
Imaging
39
Features
40
Overall
39
Canon PowerShot SX500 IS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1 front
Portability
91
Imaging
33
Features
25
Overall
29

Canon SX500 IS vs Panasonic ZS1 Key Specs

Canon SX500 IS
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.4-5.8) lens
  • 341g - 104 x 70 x 80mm
  • Introduced August 2012
  • Updated by Canon SX510 HS
Panasonic ZS1
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.5" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • 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
  • Also Known as Lumix DMC-TZ6
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Canon SX500 IS vs Panasonic ZS1 Overview

On this page, we are comparing the Canon SX500 IS vs Panasonic ZS1, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by manufacturers Canon and Panasonic. There is a significant difference among the image resolutions of the SX500 IS (16MP) and ZS1 (10MP) and the SX500 IS (1/2.3") and ZS1 (1/2.5") provide totally different sensor sizes.

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The SX500 IS was manufactured 3 years later than the ZS1 and that is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before we go right into a comprehensive comparison, here is a short summary of how the SX500 IS scores versus the ZS1 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX500 IS over the Panasonic ZS1

 SX500 IS ZS1 
AnnouncedAugust 2012May 2009Fresher by 40 months
Focus manually More accurate focusing
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution461k230kCrisper display (+231k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS1 over the Canon SX500 IS

 ZS1 SX500 IS 

Common features in the Canon SX500 IS and Panasonic ZS1

 SX500 IS ZS1 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch display Lacking Touch display

Canon SX500 IS vs Panasonic ZS1 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is looking to carry your camera, you should factor its weight and volume. The Canon SX500 IS provides exterior measurements of 104mm x 70mm x 80mm (4.1" x 2.8" x 3.1") accompanied by a weight of 341 grams (0.75 lbs) and the Panasonic ZS1 has sizing of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") having a weight of 229 grams (0.50 lbs).

See the Canon SX500 IS vs Panasonic ZS1 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you are utilising during that time. Below is a front view dimensions comparison of the SX500 IS and the ZS1.

Canon SX500 IS vs Panasonic ZS1 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the SX500 IS and ZS1 is 80 and 91 respectively.

Canon SX500 IS vs Panasonic ZS1 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX500 IS vs Panasonic ZS1 Sensor Comparison

Usually, its difficult to envision the contrast in sensor sizing just by going through specifications. The visual underneath might offer you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the SX500 IS and ZS1.

Plainly, the 2 cameras provide different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The SX500 IS featuring a larger sensor will make achieving bokeh simpler and the Canon SX500 IS will produce greater detail due to its extra 6 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also enable you to crop photos more aggressively. The fresher SX500 IS is going to have an edge when it comes to sensor tech.

Canon SX500 IS vs Panasonic ZS1 sensor size comparison

Canon SX500 IS vs Panasonic ZS1 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX500 IS vs Panasonic ZS1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX500 IS Portrait photography information
Panasonic ZS1 Portrait photography information
46
focusing manually
flash sync is higher than normal (1/1,600s)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
provides face detect focus
no external flash support
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
25
offers face detection focusing
no manual focus
no manual mode
cannot use external flash
sensor resolution not great (10 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.5")
lacks RAW format
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Street Comparison

Canon SX500 IS as a Street photography camera
Panasonic ZS1 as a Street photography camera
51
image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
60
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (229g)
screen is fixed
tiny sensor size (1/2.5")
lacks RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX500 IS Sports photography factors
Panasonic ZS1 Sports photography factors
44
excellent zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
provides tracking focus
continuous shooting slow (1.0 frames/s)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
terrible battery pack (195 per charge)
lack of phase detect auto focus
24
built in image stabilization (Optical)
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
sensor resolution not great (10MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.5")
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX500 IS Travel photography info
Panasonic ZS1 Travel photography info
59
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
built-in flash
pretty wide (24mm)
very long zoom (720mm)
does not have Timelapse function
terrible battery pack (195 CIPA)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.4)
63
lighter than others (229 grams)
built-in flash
rather wide (25mm)
great reach (300mm)
missing Time Lapse function
sensor resolution not great (10MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.3)
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Canon SX500 IS Landscape photography details
Panasonic ZS1 Landscape photography details
46
focusing manually
pretty wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.4)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
terrible battery pack (195 CIPA)
does not have Timelapse function
31
rather wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
no manual mode
sensor resolution not great (10 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.5")
lacks RAW format
missing Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX500 IS as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic ZS1 as a Vlogging camera
28
pretty wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect focus
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.4)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have microphone jack
31
rather wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection focusing
lighter than others (229g)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen is not selfie friendly
video res low (640 x 480 resolution)
missing external mic port
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Canon SX500 IS vs Panasonic ZS1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX500 IS and Panasonic ZS1
 Canon PowerShot SX500 ISPanasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1
General Information
Brand Name Canon Panasonic
Model type Canon PowerShot SX500 IS Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1
Otherwise known as - Lumix DMC-TZ6
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2012-08-21 2009-05-14
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Digic 4 -
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.5"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 5.744 x 4.308mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 24.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 10MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 3648 x 2736
Maximum native ISO 1600 6400
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 1 11
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-720mm (30.0x) 25-300mm (12.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.4-5.8 f/3.3-4.9
Macro focusing range 1cm 3cm
Crop factor 5.8 6.3
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3" 2.7"
Resolution of screen 461 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen technology TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15 secs 60 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 1.0 frames per sec 3.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 5.00 m 5.30 m (Auto ISO)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/1600 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (25 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 640x480
Video data format H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 341 gr (0.75 lbs) 229 gr (0.50 lbs)
Physical dimensions 104 x 70 x 80mm (4.1" x 2.8" x 3.1") 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 195 photographs -
Battery form Battery Pack -
Battery ID NB-6L -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Launch price $299 $0