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Canon SX170 IS vs Panasonic ZS20

Portability
88
Imaging
40
Features
41
Overall
40
Canon PowerShot SX170 IS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 front
Portability
92
Imaging
38
Features
46
Overall
41

Canon SX170 IS vs Panasonic ZS20 Key Specs

Canon SX170 IS
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-448mm (F3.5-5.9) lens
  • 251g - 108 x 71 x 44mm
  • Launched August 2013
  • Earlier Model is Canon SX160 IS
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
  • Introduced April 2012
  • Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-TZ30
  • Replaced the Panasonic ZS15
  • Renewed by Panasonic ZS25
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Canon SX170 IS vs Panasonic ZS20 Overview

Following is a comprehensive comparison of the Canon SX170 IS vs Panasonic ZS20, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by competitors Canon and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the SX170 IS (16MP) and the ZS20 (14MP) is relatively close and both cameras posses the same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The SX170 IS was announced 17 months after the ZS20 which makes them a generation away from each other. The two cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before diving right into a thorough comparison, here is a quick highlight of how the SX170 IS grades vs the ZS20 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX170 IS over the Panasonic ZS20

 SX170 IS ZS20 
IntroducedAugust 2013April 2012More modern by 17 months
Manual focus Dial accurate focus

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS20 over the Canon SX170 IS

 ZS20 SX170 IS 
Screen resolution460k230kSharper screen (+230k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Canon SX170 IS and Panasonic ZS20

 SX170 IS ZS20 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen measurement
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen

Canon SX170 IS vs Panasonic ZS20 Physical Comparison

In case you're intending to carry around your camera, you need to factor its weight and dimensions. The Canon SX170 IS comes with outer measurements of 108mm x 71mm x 44mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.7") and a weight of 251 grams (0.55 lbs) while the Panasonic ZS20 has dimensions of 105mm x 59mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") having a weight of 206 grams (0.45 lbs).

Compare the Canon SX170 IS vs Panasonic ZS20 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you choose at that moment. Below is a front view dimension comparison of the SX170 IS and the ZS20.

Canon SX170 IS vs Panasonic ZS20 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the SX170 IS and ZS20 is 88 and 92 respectively.

Canon SX170 IS vs Panasonic ZS20 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX170 IS vs Panasonic ZS20 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, its hard to picture the gap in sensor sizes merely by looking through specs. The pic here will help offer you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the SX170 IS and ZS20.

All in all, each of the cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit different resolution. You should count on the Canon SX170 IS to provide you with greater detail with its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop shots a bit more aggressively. The fresher SX170 IS provides an advantage with regard to sensor technology.

Canon SX170 IS vs Panasonic ZS20 sensor size comparison

Canon SX170 IS vs Panasonic ZS20 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX170 IS vs Panasonic ZS20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Portrait photography features
Panasonic ZS20 Portrait photography features
44
manual focus
megapixel count decent (16MP)
comes with face detection focusing
no external flash support
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
30
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
no manual focus
external flash not possible
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Street photography highlights
Panasonic ZS20 Street photography highlights
60
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (251g)
screen is fixed
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
65
built in image stabilization (Optical)
comes with touch focus
lighter than others in class (206g)
screen does not articulate
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon SX170 IS
Sports photography with Panasonic ZS20
48
excellent zoom range (28-448mm 16.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
comes with tracking autofocus
max frames per second low (1.0 frames/s)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
47
excellent zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (14MP)
supports tracking focus
small sensor size (1/2.3")
not so great battery (260 shots)
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Travel photography advice
Panasonic ZS20 Travel photography advice
68
lighter than competition (251g)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
really wide (28mm)
great zoom (448mm)
missing Time Lapse recording
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.5)
68
lighter than others in class (206g)
comes with touch focus
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
really wide (24mm)
long reach (480mm)
does not have Timelapse mode
not so great battery (260 CIPA)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX170 IS as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic ZS20 as a Landscape photography camera
49
manual focus
really wide (28mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
missing Time Lapse recording
42
really wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
not so great battery (260 CIPA)
does not have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX170 IS as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic ZS20 as a Vlogging camera
31
really wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detection focusing
lighter than competition (251g)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing external mic port
34
really wide (24mm)
touch screen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than others in class (206 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
does not have microphone jack
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Canon SX170 IS vs Panasonic ZS20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX170 IS and Panasonic ZS20
 Canon PowerShot SX170 ISPanasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20
General Information
Brand Canon Panasonic
Model type Canon PowerShot SX170 IS Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20
Also Known as - Lumix DMC-TZ30
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2013-08-22 2012-04-26
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Digic 4 -
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 surface area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 14MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 4320 x 3240
Maximum native ISO 1600 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points - 23
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-448mm (16.0x) 24-480mm (20.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.5-5.9 f/3.3-6.4
Macro focusing range 1cm 3cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen tech TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15 secs 15 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/3200 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 1.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 3.00 m 6.40 m
Flash modes Auto, Flash On, Slow Synchro, Flash Off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30, 25 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)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected 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 251g (0.55 lbs) 206g (0.45 lbs)
Physical dimensions 108 x 71 x 44mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.7") 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 300 pictures 260 pictures
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NB-6LH -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Cost at launch $0 $349