Canon G16 vs Panasonic ZS20
85 Imaging
37 Features
62 Overall
47


92 Imaging
37 Features
46 Overall
40
Canon G16 vs Panasonic ZS20 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 80 - 12800
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 28-140mm (F1.8-2.8) lens
- 356g - 109 x 76 x 40mm
- Announced November 2013
- Older Model is Canon G15
(Full Review)
- 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 6400
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 24-480mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
- 206g - 105 x 59 x 28mm
- Launched April 2012
- Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-TZ30
- Replaced the Panasonic ZS15
- Updated by Panasonic ZS25

Canon G16 vs Panasonic ZS20 Overview
Following is a comprehensive comparison of the Canon G16 vs Panasonic ZS20, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by companies Canon and Panasonic. The image resolution of the G16 (12MP) and the ZS20 (14MP) is very comparable but the G16 (1/1.7") and ZS20 (1/2.3") enjoy different sensor size.

The G16 was introduced 20 months after the ZS20 making the cameras a generation away from each other. The two cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).
Before going through a thorough comparison, below is a concise introduction of how the G16 scores versus the ZS20 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Canon G16 vs Panasonic ZS20 Gallery
The following is a sample of the gallery pics for Canon PowerShot G16 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20. The whole galleries are provided at Canon G16 Gallery and Panasonic ZS20 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon G16 over the Panasonic ZS20
G16 | ZS20 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | November 2013 | ![]() | April 2012 | More modern by 20 months |
Manual focus | ![]() | Very accurate focus | ||
Display resolution | 922k | ![]() | 460k | Sharper display (+462k dot) |
Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS20 over the Canon G16
ZS20 | G16 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Touch display | ![]() | Easily navigate |
Common features in the Canon G16 and Panasonic ZS20
G16 | ZS20 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display sizing | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equivalent display size |
Selfie screen | ![]() | No selfie screen |
Canon G16 vs Panasonic ZS20 Physical Comparison
When you are intending to carry around your camera frequently, you will have to factor in its weight and proportions. The Canon G16 provides external measurements of 109mm x 76mm x 40mm (4.3" x 3.0" x 1.6") accompanied by a weight of 356 grams (0.78 lbs) and the Panasonic ZS20 has measurements of 105mm x 59mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") along with a weight of 206 grams (0.45 lbs).
Compare the Canon G16 vs Panasonic ZS20 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you have at the time. Here is the front view size comparison of the G16 versus the ZS20.

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the G16 and ZS20 is 85 and 92 respectively.

Canon G16 vs Panasonic ZS20 Sensor Comparison
Often, it is tough to visualize the contrast in sensor sizes only by checking out technical specs. The image below might provide you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the G16 and ZS20.
As you have seen, each of the cameras offer different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The G16 using its larger sensor is going to make getting bokeh easier and the Panasonic ZS20 will provide more detail using its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also make it easier to crop photos a little more aggressively. The fresher G16 provides an edge in sensor tech.

Canon G16 vs Panasonic ZS20 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon G16 vs Panasonic ZS20 Specifications
Canon PowerShot G16 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Canon | Panasonic |
Model type | Canon PowerShot G16 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 |
Also called as | - | Lumix DMC-TZ30 |
Class | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Announced | 2013-11-25 | 2012-04-26 |
Body design | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | Digic 6 | - |
Sensor type | BSI-CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | 1/1.7" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor dimensions | 7.44 x 5.58mm | 6.08 x 4.56mm |
Sensor area | 41.5mm² | 27.7mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12 megapixels | 14 megapixels |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 5:4, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Highest resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 4320 x 3240 |
Highest native ISO | 12800 | 6400 |
Lowest native ISO | 80 | 100 |
RAW format | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch focus | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detect focus | ||
Contract detect focus | ||
Phase detect focus | ||
Total focus points | 9 | 23 |
Lens | ||
Lens support | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 28-140mm (5.0x) | 24-480mm (20.0x) |
Largest aperture | f/1.8-2.8 | f/3.3-6.4 |
Macro focusing range | 1cm | 3cm |
Crop factor | 4.8 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Range of display | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display size | 3 inch | 3 inch |
Display resolution | 922k dot | 460k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch friendly | ||
Display technology | TFT PureColor II G LCD | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Optical (tunnel) | None |
Viewfinder coverage | 80 percent | - |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 15s | 15s |
Highest shutter speed | 1/4000s | 1/2000s |
Continuous shooting speed | 12.0fps | 10.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Set white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash distance | 7.00 m | 6.40 m |
Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Second Curtain | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Highest flash sync | 1/2000s | - |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (60 or 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), 320 x 240 (220 fps) |
Highest video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
Video format | MPEG-4, H.264 | MPEG-4, AVCHD |
Mic input | ||
Headphone input | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Built-In | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | Optional | BuiltIn |
Physical | ||
Environment seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 356 gr (0.78 pounds) | 206 gr (0.45 pounds) |
Dimensions | 109 x 76 x 40mm (4.3" x 3.0" x 1.6") | 105 x 59 x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around rating | 54 | not tested |
DXO Color Depth rating | 21.0 | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range rating | 11.7 | not tested |
DXO Low light rating | 230 | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery life | 360 pictures | 260 pictures |
Type of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | NB-10L | - |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal |
Storage slots | Single | Single |
Cost at launch | $499 | $349 |