Compact Showdown: Canon SX720 HS vs Panasonic Lumix TS1 - Which Small Sensor Superzoom or Rugged Compact Fits Your Style?

When in the market for a compact camera, enthusiasts often face a paradox - balancing pocketable convenience against the need for zoom flexibility, durability, and solid image quality. Today, I’m putting two intriguing cameras under the microscope: the 2016 Canon PowerShot SX720 HS (a small sensor superzoom) and the 2009 Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS1 (a rugged waterproof compact). Both hover near a similar price level (around $379), yet cater to surprisingly different user priorities. Having handled hundreds of compact cameras over the years, including these two, I’ll walk you through how they compare from physical handling to real-world performance - across multiple photography genres, plus technical nitty-gritty and value considerations.

So, ready to find out which camera genuinely earns your hard-earned money? Let’s dive in.

Size, Shape, and Feel: Handling the Cameras

First impressions count, right? And with cameras this compact, ergonomics can make or break the shooting experience.

The Canon SX720 HS measures approximately 110 × 64 × 36 mm and weighs around 270 grams, while the Panasonic TS1 is slightly smaller and lighter at 98 × 63 × 23 mm and 189 grams. What does this mean in the hand? The Canon feels more substantial, lending a reassuring heft amid zooming, whereas the Panasonic’s leaner form factor definitely wins if you want to minimize bulk or stuff the camera into tight spaces.

The Canon’s grippier rubberized surface and better pronounced contours provide more confident handling, especially when reaching for those telephoto shots. Panasonic’s smoother, more compact body incorporates rugged seals with IP ratings (waterproof, dustproof, shockproof) that the Canon lacks - so if your shoots are bound for wet hiking trails or beach escapades, the TS1’s stylish toughness might tip the scales.

Up top, the Canon’s control layout reveals a denser array of buttons and dials - including a mode dial, zoom lever, and a shutter surrounded by a power ring - which contribute to its more conventional photography approach. The Panasonic adopts a stripped-down, simplified set of controls suited for quick point-and-shoot accessibility. It’s less about finesse and more about rugged readiness.

The importance of tactile feedback and accessible controls only grows if you plan to shoot in challenging conditions or want to fine-tune settings without fumbling - here, Canon’s design philosophy shines.

Under the Hood – Sensor and Image Quality Insights

Now, the core of any camera: the sensor. Both cameras use 1/2.3” sensors, quite standard in their classes, but the tech behind them separates day from night.

The Canon SX720 HS boasts a 20.3-megapixel BSI-CMOS sensor, coupled with the DIGIC 6 processor - a combination Canon used to deliver sharp, vibrant images with decent low-light performance in compact sensors. The Panasonic TS1, meanwhile, houses an older 12MP CCD sensor without a dedicated image processor like DIGIC - CCDs are known for good color accuracy but tend to struggle with noise at higher ISOs.

From extensive shooting tests, the Canon provides noticeably clearer details (remaining crisp up to ISO 800), and colors that pop without oversaturation. The Panasonic’s sensor resolution and older technology mean it delivers softer images overall, with more visible noise creeping into images above ISO 400. For landscape shooters or anyone who demands large prints or significant cropping latitude, Canon’s higher resolution is advantageous.

Dynamic range also favors the Canon, helping retain more highlight and shadow detail, essential in scenes with varying brightness - for example, landscape shots with bright skies and shaded foregrounds.

Read the Screen and View the World: LCD and Viewfinder Comparison

Shooting compositions depend heavily on how well you can preview your image. Neither camera has a viewfinder - impinging on usability in bright sunlight - but what about the LCD screens?

Canon’s SX720 HS features a fixed 3-inch screen with 922k-dot resolution, delivering sharp and detailed live previews that enhance manual focusing and reviewing images. The Panasonic offers a smaller 2.7-inch display with a humble 230k-dot resolution, making image review and focusing less precise.

Canon’s higher-res screen also supports face detection autofocus live view, aiding portrait shots, while Panasonic’s older panel feels less responsive and dimmer, making it more of a challenge outdoors unless shaded.

Zooming In: Lens Versatility and Focusing Systems

Lens specs are a defining aspect of these cameras’ capabilities, particularly from a field shooting perspective.

Canon's lens has a 24-960mm equivalent zoom range - that's a staggering 40× optical zoom! This extreme range means you can shoot wide environmental landscapes and then instantly get pin-sharp wildlife headshots a quarter-mile away… figuratively speaking, of course. The lens’s max aperture varies from f/3.3 at wide-angle to f/6.9 at full telephoto, fairly typical for superzoom compacts.

Panasonic’s TS1 lens offers 28-128mm equivalent focal length, about 4.6× zoom, with an aperture range of f/3.3 to f/5.9. It’s unfortunate for telephoto enthusiasts but fits well with the camera’s rugged snapshot niche. Macro functionality favors the Canon too, with focus as close as 1 cm (versus TS1’s 5 cm), enabling detailed inset shots such as flowers or insects.

Autofocus systems also reveal different priorities. Canon’s contrast-detection AF supports face detection and tracking, with 9 focus points and continuous AF - helpful for moving subjects in wildlife or street photography. Panasonic offers 11 focus points but only single AF with contrast detection, no face or tracking detection - meaning slow-moving or static subjects work best here.

Performance Where It Counts: Burst Rates, Shutter Speeds, and Video

Whether photographing a soccer game or hurried street scene, speed and responsiveness matter.

Canon SX720 HS manages burst shooting at nearly 6 frames per second (fps), allowing you to capture action sequences with some buffer. Panasonic TS1 backs a mere 2 fps burst rate, making it less effective for fast-paced subjects like sports or wildlife (or anything more kinetic than your dog wagging a tail).

In shutter range, the Canon offers 15s to 1/3200s, allowing for night scenes or motion freezing versatility. Panasonic’s shutter tops out at 1/1300s and bottoms at 1/60s, restricting long exposures and high-speed freezing shots.

On video, Canon delivers full HD at 1920x1080 resolution up to 60p, which today remains a competent standard that can handle casual filmmaking, travel vlogging, or family events. Panasonic’s videos max out at 1280x720 HD at 30 fps, adequate but comparatively dated and less flexible.

Shooting Across Genres: How They Perform in Photography Styles

Let’s now contextualize these specs and experiences through common photography genres - breaking down when each excels or where compromises must be made.

Portrait Photography: Skin Tones and Bokeh

Canon’s 20MP BSI CMOS sensor, face detection AF, and longer zoom facilitate flattering portraits and candid expressions, especially in controlled or well-lit settings. Its lens max aperture isn't blazing fast, so expect moderate background separation but decent bokeh at longer focal lengths.

Panasonic offers fewer tools here. Limited zoom, no face detection, and a smaller sensor mean portraits are more procedural snapshots than artful portraits. Additionally, the screen quality hampers critical focusing on eyes - a key for great portraits. Canon clearly leads this arena.

Landscape Photography: Detail, Dynamic Range, and Weather Resistance

Landscape lovers face a choice: Canon’s superior resolution and dynamic range will capture sprawling vistas with crisp detail and nuanced tonality, while Panasonic’s rugged build insists on braving harsher environments.

The Panasonic TS1’s environmental seals provide waterproofing to ~10m, dustproofing, and shock resistance, meaning you can shoot waterfalls, rocky shores, or dusty trails worry-free. Canon lacks these protections, demanding more care but rewarding in final image quality. For landscape photographers who prioritize image fidelity on serene days, Canon is preferable. Adventure shooters needing durability may opt for Panasonic despite the image compromises.

Wildlife Photography: AF Speed, Zoom Reach, and Burst Performance

Wildlife demands sharp AF, reach, and quick shooting. Canon ticks these with 40× zoom, face detection, 6 fps burst, and continuous autofocus. This lets you track birds or furry critters at distance with some confidence.

Panasonic's more pedestrian 4.6× zoom, slower single-shot AF, and 2 fps burst mean it's less a tool for serious wildlife endeavors - more a rugged casual camera for family vacations.

Sports Photography: Tracking Accuracy and Low-Light

Canon’s continuous AF with tracking and faster burst rate gives it an edge in shooting local games or fast-moving action - though don’t expect DSLR-grade performance in dim gymnasiums.

Panasonic can capture slow or stationary moments but falls short for real-time sports tracking due to AF limitations and slower shutter speeds. Neither camera shines in dedicated sports photography; Canon’s simply a better compact option.

Street Photography: Discreteness, Low-Light, and Portability

Street photographers cherish discretion, quickness, and quality low-light performance. Panasonic is smaller, quieter, and more weather-resistant but has dimmer LCD and limited telephoto reach.

Canon, while slightly bulkier, offers better low-light ISO performance (up to ISO 3200 usable), clearer screens, and more precise AF, aiding spontaneous street shooting. Any gear choice here depends on your priorities: maximum stealth with ruggedness (Panasonic) vs image quality and flexibility (Canon).

Macro Photography: Magnification and Focusing Precision

Canon’s 1 cm macro focusing distance versus Panasonic’s 5 cm leads to richer detail shots of tiny subjects with the SX720. Combined with its sharper sensor and wider zoom range, Canon again dominates for creative close-ups.

Night and Astro Photography: ISO Performance and Exposure Control

Canon provides wider shutter speed range (up to 15 seconds) and ISO 80–3200, usable for low-light night scenes and even basic star trails (bearing in mind sensor size limits). Panasonic’s shutter bottoming at 1/60s and less effective high ISO dampen night shooting capabilities.

Video Capabilities: Recording Flexibility and Stabilization

Both cameras have optical image stabilization to help smooth handheld video. Canon’s 1080p60p video (MPEG-4/H.264) remains solid for casual HD capture and even social content creators looking to shoot moments on the fly with acceptable quality.

Panasonic offers 720p video with AVCHD Lite format and slower frame rates. Video enthusiasts will find Panasonic’s offering dated; plus, neither camera supports external microphones or headphones, limiting audio control.

Going the Distance: Battery Life, Storage, and Connectivity

Canon’s NB-13L battery promises about 250 shots per charge - modest but typical for this category - with a dedicated USB 2.0 port and HDMI out. Panasonic’s battery life figures weren’t explicitly published but likely comparable or slightly shorter given smaller body and fewer power-hungry features.

Canon includes built-in Wi-Fi and NFC for wireless image sharing and remote control - a convenience for modern workflows. Panasonic has no wireless connectivity, reflecting its older design.

Both support SD card storage, but Canon supports SDXC, maximizing capacity for high-resolution photos and video clips.

Toughness vs. Performance: Build Quality and Sealing

The Canon is a compact with standard consumer construction - no weather sealing means less confidence when conditions get wet or dusty. This rules it out for hardcore outdoor demanding work unless protected in a bag or case.

The Panasonic TS1 is renowned for its toughness - waterproof to about 10 meters, shockproof from 1.5 meters drops, and dust-sealed to withstand rough field use. If your photography often crosses into adventure or underwater contexts, this camera’s build is inspiring confidence.

Lens Ecosystem and Future-Proofing

Both cameras have fixed lenses, meaning no option to swap lenses for changing genres or artistic styles - a limitation inherent to superzoom and rugged compacts. Canon’s longer zoom compensates somewhat, but if ultimate image control, lens choice, or RAW shooting flexibility are priorities, you’ll want to look elsewhere.

Neither camera supports RAW capture, limiting post-processing latitude. This is a significant factor for professionals and enthusiasts who prize image manipulation freedom.

Putting It All Together: Overall Scores and Genre-Specific Ratings

To quantify how these cameras perform head-to-head, here’s a synthesized rating visualization based on measured specs, field tests, and image quality evaluation:

The Canon eclipses Panasonic in image quality, autofocus, zoom range, and video capabilities. Panasonic leans on its ruggedness, portability, and simple operation with lower overall imaging specs.

A deeper dive into genre-specific strengths:

Notice Canon's clear advantage in portraits, landscapes, wildlife, and macro, while Panasonic holds ground in outdoor adventure and street discretions.

Sample Images: Real-World Photos From Both Cameras

Enough of stats - they don’t lie but can’t fully convey the lens personality and image nuances. Here’s a gallery featuring matched shots from both cameras, giving you a glimpse at color rendition, noise, and sharpness differences.

Canon SX720 HS front Canon SX720 HS screen back Panasonic TS1 front Panasonic TS1 screen back

Canon’s images deliver greater detail and vivid colors, especially noticeable in telephoto and low-light frames. Panasonic’s tend toward softer detail and less dynamic range but remain usable in well-lit, casual contexts.

Who Should Buy Which Camera? Recommendations with Realism

Choose the Canon PowerShot SX720 HS if:

• You want versatile zoom reach (40×) for travel, wildlife, or sports snapshots.
• Image quality, dynamic range, and video resolution matter to you.
• You appreciate manual controls, better AF tracking, and wireless features.
• You’re comfortable handling a slightly bulkier camera with no weather sealing.
• You shoot portraits or macro often and value better focusing precision.

Choose the Panasonic Lumix TS1 if:

• Your photography takes you into tough environments (beach, underwater, dusty trails).
• You prioritize rugged durability, waterproofing, and compact, grab-and-go size.
• Simplicity and point-and-shoot ease appeal more than complex features.
• You accept lower image quality and zoom reach for the sake of adventure robustness.
• You want a reliable camera that won’t worry you if dropped or splashed.

Final Thoughts: Legacy Cameras Still Serving Distinct Needs

Both Canon SX720 HS and Panasonic TS1 represent compact cameras from eras just before smartphone dominance reshaped this market segment. Neither supports RAW or advanced manual controls you’d find today in pricier compacts or mirrorless systems.

Yet, they excel in their niches: Canon as a superzoom all-rounder delivering quality and flexibility, Panasonic as a tough, take-it-anywhere adventure buddy. If your budget and shooting style align with these attributes, either camera can still provide enjoyable photographic experiences.

Ultimately, the choice boils down to what you value more: image quality and zoom versatility or rugged durability and simplicity. And hey, sometimes it's just about which one feels right in your hand and sparks your joy to shoot - trust your gut, complemented by these insights.

Happy shooting!