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Canon SD1200 IS vs Panasonic ZS20

Portability
95
Imaging
33
Features
17
Overall
26
Canon PowerShot SD1200 IS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 front
Portability
92
Imaging
37
Features
46
Overall
40

Canon SD1200 IS vs Panasonic ZS20 Key Specs

Canon SD1200 IS
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 35-105mm (F2.8-4.9) lens
  • 160g - 86 x 55 x 22mm
  • Released February 2009
  • Additionally Known as Digital IXUS 95 IS
Panasonic ZS20
(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
  • Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-TZ30
  • Succeeded the Panasonic ZS15
  • Later Model is Panasonic ZS25
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Canon SD1200 IS vs Panasonic ZS20 Overview

Its time to take a more detailed look at the Canon SD1200 IS vs Panasonic ZS20, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by companies Canon and Panasonic. There is a sizeable difference between the resolutions of the SD1200 IS (10MP) and ZS20 (14MP) but both cameras have the identical sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The SD1200 IS was manufactured 4 years before the ZS20 and that is quite a large gap as far as tech is concerned. Both the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before delving right into a full comparison, here is a simple highlight of how the SD1200 IS grades versus the ZS20 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon SD1200 IS over the Panasonic ZS20

 SD1200 IS ZS20 

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS20 over the Canon SD1200 IS

 ZS20 SD1200 IS 
LaunchedApril 2012February 2009Fresher by 38 months
Display size3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution460k230kSharper display (+230k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Canon SD1200 IS and Panasonic ZS20

 SD1200 IS ZS20 
Focus manually Lack of manual focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen

Canon SD1200 IS vs Panasonic ZS20 Physical Comparison

When you are planning to carry your camera, you'll have to factor in its weight and size. The Canon SD1200 IS offers outside measurements of 86mm x 55mm x 22mm (3.4" x 2.2" x 0.9") and a weight of 160 grams (0.35 lbs) and the Panasonic ZS20 has specifications of 105mm x 59mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") along with a weight of 206 grams (0.45 lbs).

Look at the Canon SD1200 IS vs Panasonic ZS20 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you have attached during that time. Following is a front view over all size comparison of the SD1200 IS vs the ZS20.

Canon SD1200 IS vs Panasonic ZS20 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the SD1200 IS and ZS20 is 95 and 92 respectively.

Canon SD1200 IS vs Panasonic ZS20 top view buttons comparison

Canon SD1200 IS vs Panasonic ZS20 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is hard to see the difference between sensor sizing just by reading a spec sheet. The graphic underneath will offer you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the SD1200 IS and ZS20.

Clearly, both cameras feature the identical sensor size but not the same megapixels. You should expect to see the Panasonic ZS20 to offer more detail due to its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also let you crop pics way more aggressively. The older SD1200 IS is going to be behind when it comes to sensor technology.

Canon SD1200 IS vs Panasonic ZS20 sensor size comparison

Canon SD1200 IS vs Panasonic ZS20 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SD1200 IS vs Panasonic ZS20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SD1200 IS Portrait photography advice
Panasonic ZS20 Portrait photography advice
25
features face detect autofocus
focusing manually not possible
no manual control
no external flash support
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
30
good resolution (14 megapixels)
no manual focus
external flash not possible
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon SD1200 IS Street photography advice
Panasonic ZS20 Street photography advice
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
65
image stabilization (Optical)
supports touch to focus
lighter than competition (206g)
fixed screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Canon SD1200 IS as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic ZS20 as a Sports photography camera
24
has image stabilization (Optical)
max fps very slow (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor resolution low (10MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
47
excellent zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (14 megapixels)
has tracking focus
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
terrible battery (260 CIPA)
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SD1200 IS Travel photography highlights
Panasonic ZS20 Travel photography highlights
51
built-in flash
missing Timelapse function
sensor resolution low (10MP)
does not contain selfie friendly display
wide angle not great (35mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
68
lighter than competition (206 grams)
supports touch to focus
good resolution (14MP)
flash built-in
relatively wide (24mm)
long reach (480mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
terrible battery (260 CIPA)
display is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SD1200 IS Landscape photography highlights
Panasonic ZS20 Landscape photography highlights
27
has image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (35mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
tiny screen (2.5 inches)
no manual control
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
missing Timelapse function
42
relatively wide (24mm)
good sized screen (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (14MP)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
terrible battery (260 shots)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD1200 IS Vlogging features
Panasonic ZS20 Vlogging features
28
has image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect autofocus
wide angle not great (35mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
does not contain selfie friendly display
video resolution low (640 x 480 pxls)
missing microphone jack
34
relatively wide (24mm)
built-in touchscreen
image stabilization (Optical)
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition (206 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
display is not selfie friendly
doesn't have mic support
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Canon SD1200 IS vs Panasonic ZS20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD1200 IS and Panasonic ZS20
 Canon PowerShot SD1200 ISPanasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20
General Information
Brand Name Canon Panasonic
Model type Canon PowerShot SD1200 IS Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20
Otherwise known as Digital IXUS 95 IS Lumix DMC-TZ30
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2009-02-18 2012-04-26
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 10MP 14MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 3648 x 2736 4320 x 3240
Highest native ISO 1600 6400
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 9 23
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 35-105mm (3.0x) 24-480mm (20.0x)
Maximum aperture f/2.8-4.9 f/3.3-6.4
Macro focusing range 3cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.5 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 230 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (tunnel) None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15 seconds 15 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/1500 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 1.0 frames per sec 10.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 3.50 m 6.40 m
Flash settings Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (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 640x480 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic 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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 160g (0.35 lb) 206g (0.45 lb)
Physical dimensions 86 x 55 x 22mm (3.4" x 2.2" x 0.9") 105 x 59 x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 260 photos 260 photos
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NB-6L -
Self timer Yes (2, 10, Custom, Face) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/HD MMCplus SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Cost at launch $250 $349