Canon SX500 IS vs Panasonic ZS1
80 Imaging
39 Features
40 Overall
39


91 Imaging
33 Features
25 Overall
29
Canon SX500 IS vs Panasonic ZS1 Key Specs
(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
(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

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.

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.

Canon SX500 IS vs Panasonic ZS1 Gallery
This is a sample of the gallery pics for Canon PowerShot SX500 IS and Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1. The entire galleries are viewable at Canon SX500 IS Gallery and Panasonic ZS1 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX500 IS over the Panasonic ZS1
SX500 IS | ZS1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | August 2012 | ![]() | May 2009 | Fresher by 40 months |
Focus manually | ![]() | More accurate focusing | ||
Display dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Larger display (+0.3") |
Display resolution | 461k | ![]() | 230k | Crisper 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 type | Fixed | ![]() | 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.
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.

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

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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX500 IS vs Panasonic ZS1 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SX500 IS | Panasonic 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 |