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Canon SX520 HS vs Panasonic ZS15

Portability
69
Imaging
40
Features
44
Overall
41
Canon PowerShot SX520 HS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15 front
Portability
92
Imaging
36
Features
37
Overall
36

Canon SX520 HS vs Panasonic ZS15 Key Specs

Canon SX520 HS
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-1008mm (F3.4-6.0) lens
  • 441g - 120 x 82 x 92mm
  • Revealed July 2014
  • Earlier Model is Canon SX510 HS
  • Refreshed by Canon SX530 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
  • Introduced June 2012
  • Also Known as Lumix DMC-TZ25
  • Replacement is Panasonic ZS20
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Canon SX520 HS vs Panasonic ZS15 Overview

Here is a extended comparison of the Canon SX520 HS versus Panasonic ZS15, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by brands Canon and Panasonic. There exists a substantial gap among the sensor resolutions of the SX520 HS (16MP) and ZS15 (12MP) but both cameras provide the identical sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The SX520 HS was launched 2 years later than the ZS15 and that is a fairly big difference as far as camera technology is concerned. The two cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before delving into a detailed comparison, here is a short summary of how the SX520 HS scores against the ZS15 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX520 HS over the Panasonic ZS15

 SX520 HS ZS15 
IntroducedJuly 2014June 2012Fresher by 26 months
Manually focus More precise focusing
Display resolution461k460kClearer display (+1k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS15 over the Canon SX520 HS

 ZS15 SX520 HS 

Common features in the Canon SX520 HS and Panasonic ZS15

 SX520 HS ZS15 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display size3"3"Same display sizing
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch display Neither features Touch display

Canon SX520 HS vs Panasonic ZS15 Physical Comparison

If you're looking to carry your camera often, you'll have to factor its weight and dimensions. The Canon SX520 HS enjoys external dimensions of 120mm x 82mm x 92mm (4.7" x 3.2" x 3.6") accompanied by a weight of 441 grams (0.97 lbs) while the Panasonic ZS15 has dimensions of 105mm x 58mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") along with a weight of 208 grams (0.46 lbs).

Check out the Canon SX520 HS versus Panasonic ZS15 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you select at the time. Following is a front view measurement comparison of the SX520 HS and the ZS15.

Canon SX520 HS vs Panasonic ZS15 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SX520 HS and ZS15 is 69 and 92 respectively.

Canon SX520 HS vs Panasonic ZS15 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX520 HS vs Panasonic ZS15 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it can be tough to see the difference in sensor sizing simply by researching technical specs. The graphic below will give you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the SX520 HS and ZS15.

As you have seen, both of these cameras feature the identical sensor size but not the same resolution. You can anticipate the Canon SX520 HS to result in greater detail utilizing its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop photos way more aggressively. The younger SX520 HS will have a benefit in sensor technology.

Canon SX520 HS vs Panasonic ZS15 sensor size comparison

Canon SX520 HS vs Panasonic ZS15 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX520 HS vs Panasonic ZS15 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX520 HS as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic ZS15 as a Portrait photography camera
44
has manual focus
decent MP (16 megapixels)
features face detection focusing
cannot use external flash
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
21
manual focus not available
can't use external flash
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon SX520 HS Street photography factors
Panasonic ZS15 Street photography factors
46
has image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
61
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (208g)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX520 HS Sports photography features
Panasonic ZS15 Sports photography features
45
incredible zoom range (24-1008mm 42.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
features tracking autofocus
slow frames per second (2.0 frames per second)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
terrible battery power (210 shots)
doesn't have phase detect AF
36
incredible zoom range (24-384mm 16.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
comes with tracking focus
continuous shooting slow (2.0 frames per second)
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
terrible battery life (260 CIPA)
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX520 HS Travel photography factors
Panasonic ZS15 Travel photography factors
55
decent MP (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
rather wide (24mm)
great zoom (1008mm)
missing Timelapse recording
terrible battery power (210 CIPA)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f3.4)
61
lighter than competition in class (208g)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (24mm)
long reach (384mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
terrible battery life (260 per charge)
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX520 HS Landscape photography factors
Panasonic ZS15 Landscape photography factors
45
has manual focus
rather wide (24mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16MP)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.4)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
terrible battery power (210 shots)
missing Timelapse recording
37
reasonably wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
terrible battery life (260 CIPA)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX520 HS as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic ZS15 as a Vlogging camera
29
rather wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
features face detection focusing
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
slow max aperture (f3.4)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
missing external microphone support
33
reasonably wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition in class (208g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen is not selfie friendly
doesn't have mic port
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Canon SX520 HS vs Panasonic ZS15 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX520 HS and Panasonic ZS15
 Canon PowerShot SX520 HSPanasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Panasonic
Model type Canon PowerShot SX520 HS Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15
Also referred to as - Lumix DMC-TZ25
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2014-07-29 2012-06-29
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Digic 4+ -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 3200 6400
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 9 23
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-1008mm (42.0x) 24-384mm (16.0x)
Max aperture f/3.4-6.0 f/3.3-5.9
Macro focusing distance 0cm 3cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 461 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15 seconds 15 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 2.0 frames per sec 2.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 5.50 m 6.40 m
Flash options Auto, on, off, slow synchro Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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 seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 441 grams (0.97 lbs) 208 grams (0.46 lbs)
Physical dimensions 120 x 82 x 92mm (4.7" x 3.2" x 3.6") 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 photographs 260 photographs
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NB-6LH -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Price at release $219 $279