Clicky

Canon 1Ds MIII vs Panasonic ZS20

Portability
51
Imaging
65
Features
52
Overall
59
Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 front
Portability
92
Imaging
38
Features
46
Overall
41

Canon 1Ds MIII vs Panasonic ZS20 Key Specs

Canon 1Ds MIII
(Full Review)
  • 21MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 50 - 3200
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • No Video
  • Canon EF Mount
  • 1385g - 150 x 160 x 80mm
  • Launched August 2008
  • Old Model is Canon 1Ds MII
  • Newer Model is Canon 1D X
Panasonic ZS20
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-480mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 206g - 105 x 59 x 28mm
  • Announced April 2012
  • Other Name is Lumix DMC-TZ30
  • Older Model is Panasonic ZS15
  • Newer Model is Panasonic ZS25
Apple patent reveals improved iPhone camera durability

Canon 1Ds MIII vs Panasonic ZS20 Overview

Its time to look a bit more closely at the Canon 1Ds MIII vs Panasonic ZS20, former being a Pro DSLR while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by companies Canon and Panasonic. There exists a substantial gap between the image resolutions of the 1Ds MIII (21MP) and ZS20 (14MP) and the 1Ds MIII (Full frame) and ZS20 (1/2.3") offer totally different sensor size.

Google AI Gemini Could Enhance iPhone Experience, Talks Suggest

The 1Ds MIII was unveiled 4 years earlier than the ZS20 and that is quite a big difference as far as technology is concerned. Both the cameras have different body design with the Canon 1Ds MIII being a Large SLR camera and the Panasonic ZS20 being a Compact camera.

Before we go right into a step-by-step comparison, here is a short introduction of how the 1Ds MIII grades against the ZS20 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Europe Approves Revolutionary AI Legislation
	
	

Reasons to pick Canon 1Ds MIII over the Panasonic ZS20

 1Ds MIII ZS20 
Manually focus More exact focus

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS20 over the Canon 1Ds MIII

 ZS20 1Ds MIII 
AnnouncedApril 2012August 2008Fresher by 44 months
Screen resolution460k230kCrisper screen (+230k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Canon 1Ds MIII and Panasonic ZS20

 1Ds MIII ZS20 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen size
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen

Canon 1Ds MIII vs Panasonic ZS20 Physical Comparison

For those who are intending to carry your camera often, you will have to factor its weight and volume. The Canon 1Ds MIII offers physical dimensions of 150mm x 160mm x 80mm (5.9" x 6.3" x 3.1") with a weight of 1385 grams (3.05 lbs) and the Panasonic ZS20 has sizing of 105mm x 59mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") along with a weight of 206 grams (0.45 lbs).

Take a look at the Canon 1Ds MIII vs Panasonic ZS20 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you choose at that moment. Here is a front view dimension comparison of the 1Ds MIII and the ZS20.

Canon 1Ds MIII vs Panasonic ZS20 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the 1Ds MIII and ZS20 is 51 and 92 respectively.

Canon 1Ds MIII vs Panasonic ZS20 top view buttons comparison

Canon 1Ds MIII vs Panasonic ZS20 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it's tough to envision the difference between sensor sizing simply by checking a spec sheet. The graphic below will provide you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the 1Ds MIII and ZS20.

As you can see, both of the cameras provide different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The 1Ds MIII with its bigger sensor will make shooting shallower DOF easier and the Canon 1Ds MIII will resolve greater detail having an extra 7 Megapixels. Higher resolution will help you crop pictures more aggressively. The older 1Ds MIII is going to be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.

Canon 1Ds MIII vs Panasonic ZS20 sensor size comparison

Canon 1Ds MIII vs Panasonic ZS20 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon 1Ds MIII vs Panasonic ZS20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Leica struggles with L-Mount camera sales, tougher than Q or M

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon 1Ds MIII as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic ZS20 as a Portrait photography camera
79
focusing manually
good megapixels (21MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
supports RAW files
30
megapixel count good (14MP)
manual focus not available
no external flash support
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
TikTok Developing Photo App to Challenge Instagram's Dominance

Street Comparison

Canon 1Ds MIII Street photography highlights
Panasonic ZS20 Street photography highlights
57
sensor size is big (Full frame)
supports RAW files
environment proofing
no moving screen
does not have image stabilization
65
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports focus by touch
lighter than competitors (206 grams)
no articulating screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
Ulanzi's Tripod Ensures Ultra Smooth Filming

Sports Comparison

Canon 1Ds MIII Sports photography highlights
Panasonic ZS20 Sports photography highlights
63
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
good megapixels (21MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
environment proofing
sensor has phase detect auto focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (5.0 fps)
does not have image stabilization
bad battery pack (1,800 per charge)
47
great zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (14MP)
provides tracking autofocus
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
bad battery (260 shots)
does not have phase detect AF
Fujifilm accuses Eastman Kodak of patent violation in new lawsuit

Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon 1Ds MIII
Travel photography with Panasonic ZS20
53
environment proofing
good megapixels (21 megapixels)
bad battery pack (1,800 CIPA)
does not offer selfie friendly display
68
lighter than competitors (206 grams)
supports focus by touch
megapixel count good (14MP)
flash built-in
decently wide (24mm)
very long zoom (480mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
bad battery (260 per charge)
display isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.3)
Peek Behind the Lens of 'Photographer' and Their Go-To Cameras

Landscape Comparison

Canon 1Ds MIII as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic ZS20 as a Landscape photography camera
71
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Canon EF mount)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
good megapixels (21 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
supports RAW files
environment proofing
2 card slots
does not have image stabilization
bad battery pack (1,800 CIPA)
42
decently wide (24mm)
good sized screen (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (14MP)
manual focus not available
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
bad battery (260 shots)
doesn't have Timelapse function
Nikon Coolpix camera search on Google skyrockets by 8,500%

Vlogging Comparison

Canon 1Ds MIII Vlogging details
Panasonic ZS20 Vlogging details
9
can't record video
34
decently wide (24mm)
touchscreen
has image stabilization (Optical)
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competitors (206 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
display isn't selfie friendly
doesn't have external microphone support
AI-Powered Photo Editing Tools Could Be Added to WhatsApp

Canon 1Ds MIII vs Panasonic ZS20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon 1Ds MIII and Panasonic ZS20
 Canon EOS-1Ds Mark IIIPanasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Panasonic
Model Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20
Alternative name - Lumix DMC-TZ30
Category Pro DSLR Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2008-08-18 2012-04-26
Physical type Large SLR Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 36 x 24mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 864.0mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 21 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 5616 x 3744 4320 x 3240
Highest native ISO 3200 6400
Minimum native ISO 50 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 45 23
Lens
Lens mounting type Canon EF fixed lens
Lens focal range - 24-480mm (20.0x)
Highest aperture - f/3.3-6.4
Macro focus distance - 3cm
Amount of lenses 250 -
Focal length multiplier 1 5.9
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3" 3"
Resolution of display 230k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) None
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.76x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30s 15s
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000s 1/2000s
Continuous shooting rate 5.0 frames per sec 10.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range no built-in flash 6.40 m
Flash settings External Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/250s -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (220 fps)
Highest video resolution None 1920x1080
Video data format - MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 1385 grams (3.05 pounds) 206 grams (0.45 pounds)
Physical dimensions 150 x 160 x 80mm (5.9" x 6.3" x 3.1") 105 x 59 x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 80 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 24.0 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 12.0 not tested
DXO Low light score 1663 not tested
Other
Battery life 1800 photos 260 photos
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type Compact Flash (Type I or II), SD card SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots Two One
Retail cost $6,652 $349