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Canon SD960 IS vs Panasonic ZS20

Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
27
Overall
31
Canon PowerShot SD960 IS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 front
Portability
92
Imaging
38
Features
46
Overall
41

Canon SD960 IS vs Panasonic ZS20 Key Specs

Canon SD960 IS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.8" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-112mm (F2.8-5.8) lens
  • 145g - 98 x 54 x 22mm
  • Introduced February 2009
  • Other Name is Digital IXUS 110 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
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-TZ30
  • Succeeded the Panasonic ZS15
  • New Model is Panasonic ZS25
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Canon SD960 IS vs Panasonic ZS20 Overview

Lets examine more closely at the Canon SD960 IS versus Panasonic ZS20, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by companies Canon and Panasonic. The image resolution of the SD960 IS (12MP) and the ZS20 (14MP) is very similar and they possess the same exact sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The SD960 IS was unveiled 4 years before the ZS20 which is quite a large difference as far as technology is concerned. Both of the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before getting in to a comprehensive comparison, below is a concise summation of how the SD960 IS matches up versus the ZS20 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon SD960 IS over the Panasonic ZS20

 SD960 IS ZS20 

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS20 over the Canon SD960 IS

 ZS20 SD960 IS 
LaunchedApril 2012February 2009Newer by 38 months
Display sizing3"2.8"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution460k230kSharper display (+230k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Canon SD960 IS and Panasonic ZS20

 SD960 IS ZS20 
Manually focus No manual focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen

Canon SD960 IS vs Panasonic ZS20 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is aiming to travel with your camera frequently, you're going to have to take into account its weight and proportions. The Canon SD960 IS comes with exterior dimensions of 98mm x 54mm x 22mm (3.9" x 2.1" x 0.9") with a weight of 145 grams (0.32 lbs) while the Panasonic ZS20 has measurements of 105mm x 59mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") with a weight of 206 grams (0.45 lbs).

Look at the Canon SD960 IS versus Panasonic ZS20 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you have at that time. Here is the front view proportions comparison of the SD960 IS versus the ZS20.

Canon SD960 IS vs Panasonic ZS20 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SD960 IS and ZS20 is 95 and 92 respectively.

Canon SD960 IS vs Panasonic ZS20 top view buttons comparison

Canon SD960 IS vs Panasonic ZS20 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it's tough to envision the gap between sensor dimensions merely by reviewing a spec sheet. The pic below might provide you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the SD960 IS and ZS20.

Clearly, each of these cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but not the same MP. You can expect to see the Panasonic ZS20 to offer more detail having an extra 2MP. Greater resolution will enable you to crop images a little more aggressively. The more aged SD960 IS is going to be behind in sensor innovation.

Canon SD960 IS vs Panasonic ZS20 sensor size comparison

Canon SD960 IS vs Panasonic ZS20 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SD960 IS vs Panasonic ZS20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon SD960 IS
Portrait photography with Panasonic ZS20
26
includes face detect focusing
lack of manual focus
manual mode not available
cannot use external flash
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
30
decent MP (14MP)
lack of manual focus
can't use external flash
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Canon SD960 IS Street photography details
Panasonic ZS20 Street photography details
57
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
65
built in image stabilization (Optical)
comes with focus via touch
lighter than others (206g)
screen is fixed
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Canon SD960 IS Sports photography advice
Panasonic ZS20 Sports photography advice
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
max fps very slow (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
47
excellent zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (14MP)
comes with tracking autofocus
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
low battery (260 shots)
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon SD960 IS Travel photography advice
Panasonic ZS20 Travel photography advice
58
built-in flash
reasonably wide (28mm)
lack of Time Lapse recording
sensor resolution low (12MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
68
lighter than others (206 grams)
comes with focus via touch
decent MP (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
rather wide (24mm)
great reach (480mm)
lack of Timelapse mode
low battery (260 shots)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon SD960 IS
Landscape photography with Panasonic ZS20
37
reasonably wide (28mm)
screen size is good (2.8 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
manual mode not available
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
lack of Time Lapse recording
42
rather wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (14MP)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
low battery (260 shots)
lack of Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD960 IS Vlogging info
Panasonic ZS20 Vlogging info
31
reasonably wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detect focusing
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is not selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of mic socket
34
rather wide (24mm)
touchscreen functionality
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than others (206 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
lack of external microphone port
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Canon SD960 IS vs Panasonic ZS20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD960 IS and Panasonic ZS20
 Canon PowerShot SD960 ISPanasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Panasonic
Model type Canon PowerShot SD960 IS Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20
Alternate name Digital IXUS 110 IS Lumix DMC-TZ30
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2009-02-18 2012-04-26
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 14MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4000 x 3000 4320 x 3240
Highest native ISO 1600 6400
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 9 23
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-112mm (4.0x) 24-480mm (20.0x)
Largest aperture f/2.8-5.8 f/3.3-6.4
Macro focusing range 2cm 3cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.8 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 230 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15 secs 15 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 1.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 4.00 m 6.40 m
Flash settings Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 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 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 145 grams (0.32 pounds) 206 grams (0.45 pounds)
Dimensions 98 x 54 x 22mm (3.9" x 2.1" 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 photographs
Battery form - Battery Pack
Battery ID NB-4L -
Self timer Yes (2, 10, Custom, Face) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/HD /MMCplus SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots One One
Cost at launch - $349