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Question

Canon 260HS vs Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20, buying advice?

Apr 1, 2012 6:00AM PDT

Amateur photographer looking for lightweight camera with super long zoom, quick/fast frame per sec. for taking action shots of people and pets, and good in low lighting conditions. Have had a Canon A95 for several years. It takes good pics, but not good enough for any distance, low light and action shots.

Discussion is locked

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Answer
Too New
Apr 1, 2012 7:05AM PDT

Difficult to say with so few reviews, but they are probably neck-and-neck. If you read the specs, they are almost identical in the basics; same size sensor, same aperture and focal range lens. Those are the things that determine image quality. The Canon has fewer megapixels, which in theory would mean lower noise, but it trades off detail, and how a camera implements noise reduction has a bigger impact on final image quality than the pixel count.

Both cameras have a long zoom. Both cameras have burst modes for action, but be aware that once you use it, the camera will stop operating for probably 10-15 seconds while it processes the burst. Neither camera will be good in low light. Low kight static subjects will be okay, but low-light action will be impossible.

If you give up the extra long zoom, the outgoing SX230 and ZS10 will give you the same image quality for less money.

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Answer
230 is good, 260 might be better
Apr 1, 2012 3:29PM PDT

I have owned the 230 for about a year. It's a fine camera in good light. A lot of camera in your pocket!

I've been thinking of selling it and buying the 260 because the GPS on the 230 is VERY SLOW to get a fix, and chews up too much battery power to leave it on all the time. According to the CNET review the 260 is improved.

The limitations of this kind of camera have to do with the speed of the lens. So using the telephoto at max, or in poor light results in pretty soft images. OK for flash at short range.

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Answer
Canon 260HS
Apr 2, 2012 5:32PM PDT

I suggest Canon 260 HS for its handy design and its power shot capability.
The Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 generates more noise in pictures when zoomed completely.
Thanks

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Answer
Canon Model Number
Apr 2, 2012 11:39PM PDT

In case someone is unsure, or can't find the 260HS:

The Canon 260HS is actually the SX260 HS

..

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Answer
Canon 260HS vs Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20, buying advice?
Apr 22, 2012 11:37AM PDT

I've done extensive research on both cameras, and Canon's S100 too. I found live cameras on display and tested each with my SD. I found the S100 the best overall but lacked the zomm....only 5X and I wanted more. Now down to just SX260 or ZS20. Panasonic didn't have the name in cameras for me, but their ZS20 was the winner. Test pictures at Max Optical Zoom (no digital) were similar, but the focus on Panasonic was more than twice as fast and sharper results. Most features were similar except ZS20 had it over SX260 on Movie 1080P@60fps vs only 24fps for SX260. 10 fps continoious over SX260 @ only 2.4. ZS20 has 9 focus points vs SX260 at only 2. Finally, the touchy feely; Panasonic won here too. SX260 felt cheaper and plastic , while ZS20 solid and robust. I can only find the ZS19 locally (No GPS) so I ordered the ZS20....have it in a few days.

Hope this help you and others.

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So? Are you happy?
May 24, 2012 2:23PM PDT

I've been wanting to purchase another camera with a higher zoom and that can easily fit in a pocket for travel & convenience. I was first considering the Lumix DMC SZ7 but now am giving the ZS19 (less the GPS of the ZS20) more thought. It appears that the additional $100 is probably well worth it in the long run.
Have you formed an opinion of your new camera yet?

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price
May 30, 2012 4:56PM PDT

Actually, if I look at it, I wonder how much I would need to get a GPS. But when I lok at prices online, the ZS20 seems to be the same price or cheaper than the ZS19.

Does the ZS19/ZS20 have a rechargable battary?

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Rechargeable battery - YES
May 30, 2012 11:53PM PDT

The prices of cameras with/without GPS are quite often the same price.
Stores/Shops don't like to stock 2 cameras when one will do.

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watch amazon for ZS20
May 31, 2012 1:50AM PDT

Amazon has a ever changing price on the ZS20. You can get it as low as $264....why buy the ZS19 when the ZS20 can be got for less. GPS can be turned on or off. Amazon shipping was slow - 9 days to get, but couldn't beat the price.

Had my camera for a couple weeks now, but haven't had but one chance to use. The day after I got it, I attended a indoor birthday party and shot several stills and several minutes of video. I didn't get a chance to do much setup, except set the time and date. Shot everything as shipped.

Camera is a slight bigger than the canon - 6mm extra width - but still fits my shirt pocket fine

I love the ease of operation, and solid feel. I only tested the zoom, but a WOW there. (I only used the 20X optical zoom....I do not like digital zoom portion of camera's - they all fail to produce high quality pictures. Good for PI work, but not for me.)

All stills were shot without flash, and video without any supplement lighting. We viewed the day's work on a 50" plasma, using the HDMI port (not included - I had one) First pass use and picture review rates this camera an excellent, and a keeper.