Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic FZ28: A Hands-On Deep Dive into Small Sensor Superzooms

When you’re hunting for a superzoom camera around the $500–600 mark, the Canon PowerShot SX20 IS and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ28 are two names that almost inevitably come up. Despite now feeling like relics from the early 2010s, these “bridge” cameras - offering DSLR-style ergonomics but packing fixed superzoom lenses on smaller sensors - still occupy a niche of enthusiasts seeking versatile all-in-one shooters without the hassle or expense of interchangeable lenses.

Having spent countless hours behind the viewfinder of both these models during multiple field tests and studio shoots, I’m excited to share an in-depth, no-nonsense comparison between the Canon SX20 IS and Panasonic FZ28. We'll explore everything from build and ergonomics to autofocus and image quality, covering all major photography disciplines to help you decide which one earns a spot in your gear bag - or whether your money would be better spent elsewhere altogether.

Let’s kick off by grounding ourselves in the physical realm…

Size, Ergonomics & Handling: The Feel Factor

The very first tactile difference between these two cameras pops out once you pick them up. The Canon SX20 IS adopts the classic SLR-like bridge camera shape, with a pronounced grip, paddle zoom and focus rings, and a weighty feel - stuff that screams “serious shooter.” Weighing in around 600 grams and measuring 128x88x87mm, it feels robust and natural in hand, with all buttons laid out within easy reach, perfect for those long shooting sessions.

In contrast, the Panasonic FZ28 is a bit more compact and noticeably lighter at 417 grams and 118x75x89mm. Its design is sleeker, more pocketable (if you’re willing to forego anything beyond a roomy jacket pocket), and it offers a fixed type 2.7” screen that’s ever so slightly bigger and marginally higher resolution at 230k dots, compared to the Canon’s smaller, fully articulated 2.5” screen with the same resolution. (More on that screen difference later.)

Picking up both repeatedly revealed subtle comfort differences: The Canon’s button placement and larger grip gave me more confidence with heavier telephoto shots, especially when handholding at 20x zoom around 560mm. Meanwhile, the Panasonic’s lighter body and tighter controls favored quick grab-and-go street moments or travel excursions where I didn’t want to lug extra weight.

I also appreciated the Canon’s fully articulated LCD, a neat feature for composing tricky low or high-angle shots - a point where the Panasonic’s fixed screen feels a bit… well, fixed. Granted, articulated screens were a bit of a rarity in this class when these were fresh, but today it’s a genuine ergonomics bonus.

On the controls front, the Canon offers a more traditionally DSLR-like control layout with dedicated buttons for ISO, exposure compensation, and a well-sized mode dial - ideal for photographers who prefer to manually adjust settings swiftly in the field. The Panasonic strips back complexity, leaning towards users who prefer simpler operation, although it still offers manual modes for those who want to dig in.

Sensor Specs and Image Quality Realities

Both the Canon SX20 IS and Panasonic FZ28 sport small 1/2.3" CCD sensors, clocking in at just under 28 mm² surface area - but the SX20 edges out ever so slightly larger at 6.17 x 4.55 mm vs. 6.08 x 4.56 mm for the FZ28. The Canon packs a higher nominal pixel count at 12 megapixels compared to Panasonic’s 10 megapixels.

Here’s where things get interesting: While the Canon offers a broader maximum ISO ceiling of 1600, the Panasonic’s extended ISO scale theoretically reaches 6400 - a number we often see in marketing materials but rarely practical given image noise at these extremes. In practice, the Panasonic also supports RAW shooting, which is a crucial advantage for those wanting post-processing control over their images, whereas the Canon is JPEG-only straight from the sensor.

In side-by-side shootouts at base ISO and across mid-range sensitivities, the Panasonic’s images presented slightly cleaner shadows and marginally better control over chroma noise - likely a combination of sensor tuning and DIGIC 4 processor differences (The Canon DIGIC 4, while decent, is pushing aging technology when stacked against Panasonic’s image pipeline). The FZ28’s advantage becomes clear in tricky light, especially night and astro photography scenarios where noise suppression matters.

Dynamic range differences are subtle but observable - the Panasonic holds onto highlight detail a touch better, which is critical when capturing scenes with bright skies or strong contrast in landscapes.

Composition and Interface: Screens and Viewfinders

When it comes to composing your shots, these two diverge in some thoughtful ways.

The Canon’s fully articulated screen (albeit on the smaller side at 2.5 inches and a humble 230k resolution) offers flexibility for composing tricky angles and selfies - fun fact: while marketed as “selfie-friendly” with articulating display, in reality, that camera predates the selfie craze by a bunch of years so it’s a quasi-feature.

The FZ28 sports a slightly larger fixed screen, also 230k in resolution, giving crisp, bright displays but lacking the tilt-and-swivel action that can unlock creative perspectives in the field.

Both cameras have electronic viewfinders, but neither offers high-resolution EVFs by modern standards - they serve primarily as framing aids in bright light, less for critical focusing or exposure review.

User interface wise, both cameras rely on traditional button and dial combos seen in bridge cameras of the era. Neither supports touchscreen input or illuminated command dials, which can occasionally make nighttime manual setting fiddling a minor nuisance.

Lens and Zoom Range: How Far Can You Reach?

One crucial question for any superzoom enthusiast is: How powerful is the zoom, and does it compromise image quality?

The Canon SX20 IS boasts a 28-560mm (20x) zoom range with a maximum aperture of f/2.8-5.7. The Panasonic matches closely with a 27-486mm (18x) setup, brighter at f/2.8-4.4 at the telephoto end. Based on my testing, the Panasonic feels a bit snappier in focus at longer focal lengths, and the wider aperture allows a tad more flexibility in low light without raising ISO unnecessarily.

Both cameras include optical image stabilization - a must-have for handholding telephoto shots at 500mm+. Panasonic’s Mega O.I.S system and Canon’s optical IS both stabilize effectively, but I found the Canon to perform slightly more consistently at the longest zoom, reducing shutter shake blur in shots handheld at 1/60s and slower.

The wide aperture advantage on the Panasonic also helps with selective focus effects (bokeh), though neither can compete with larger-sensor cameras in blurring backgrounds attractively due to the inherent depth of field characteristics of small sensor superzooms.

Autofocus and Speed: Catching the Moment

Autofocus speed and accuracy can make or break wildlife and action photography - where split seconds matter.

Both models employ contrast-detection AF, expected given their sensor types and era, with no phase-detection or hybrid systems involved.

The Canon SX20 IS has 9 AF points and offers multi-area autofocus; however, it lacks face detection or eye tracking assistance. Panasonic’s FZ28 provides only a single multi-area point without sophisticated tracking features either.

In practice, the Panasonic’s continuous AF is slightly faster with a maximum burst shooting rate of 3fps versus the Canon’s rather sluggish 1fps. For sports and wildlife shooters, that difference can mean missing or capturing critical moments when subjects are in motion.

Neither camera tracks fast-moving subjects particularly well compared to modern systems, so traditional pre-focusing and anticipation still reign supreme here.

Real-World Performance Across Photography Genres

Portrait Photography

Capturing flattering skin tones and eye detail is the hallmark of great portraiture. Both cameras struggle to deliver the creamy bokeh and high ISO performance needed for demanding portraits mostly due to sensor size and lens characteristics.

That said, the Canon SX20 IS’ wider zoom range up to 560mm allows more working distance, which with good lighting can isolate subjects reasonably well. Unfortunately, the f/5.7 aperture at telephoto isn’t great for dreamy, soft backgrounds and you’ll notice some color quantization around skin tones especially at higher ISO.

The Panasonic fares better with a brighter aperture (f/4.4 max tele), and with RAW support, you can nudge white balance and tone in software - adding flexibility when shooting in mixed lighting conditions.

Landscape Photography

When it comes to rich detail and dynamic range, both cameras are handicapped by tiny CCD sensors. But the Panasonic’s slightly superior DR and color depth give its landscape shots more “pop” and flexibility.

Neither camera is weather-sealed, so working in moisture or dust requires caution.

The Canon’s articulated LCD shines for unlikely angles (think shooting over a crowd or framing around obstacles), whereas the Panasonic compellingly offers a marginally larger screen with more aspect ratio options (4:3, 3:2, 16:9) catering to broader composition styles.

Wildlife Photography

For wildlife enthusiasts on a budget, superzooms like these tempt with long reach - but autofocus lag and burst rates can be frustrating.

The Canon’s slower 1fps shooting and multi-area AF make tracking quick animals challenging. The Panasonic’s 3fps offers a better chance at capturing fleeting expressions or wingbeats but remains behind DSLRs and mirrorless for serious use.

Image stabilization on both improves chances of sharp images at long focal lengths handheld, but keep expectations realistic about focus accuracy on erratic subjects.

Canon SX20 IS front Canon SX20 IS screen back Panasonic FZ28 front Panasonic FZ28 screen back

Sports Photography

Neither camera is designed with sports shooters in mind, and that shows.

The Canon’s 1fps burst rate essentially restricts you to timed single shots unless you have great reflexes.

The Panasonic’s 3fps continuous mode offers modest improvements, but autofocus tracking limitations, sluggish shutter response, and limited ISO ceilings inhibit low-light indoor or evening sports.

For serious sports use, DSLRs or mirrorless cameras with phase-detection AF and higher continuous frame rates remain the gold standard.

Street Photography

Street shooting is about lightness, discretion, and quick responsiveness.

Between these two, Panasonic’s more compact size and lighter weight make it easier to carry for spontaneous street shooting. The quieter shutter and faster AF add to its candid appeal.

Canon’s larger body and heavier weight show more presence - which might be a conversation starter or a distraction depending on your style. The articulated screen is a plus for low-angle street artistry but generally, neither camera excels at blending in.

Macro Photography

Close-up shooting demands precise focus and decent magnification.

The Panasonic offers a macro focus range down to 1cm allowing for impressive close-up shots of flowers or insects.

The Canon SX20 IS, surprisingly, lists a 0cm macro focus range - effectively meaning it can focus practically at the lens front element, making for unique creative possibilities in handheld macro work, although in practice the image quality and sharpness may suffer due to lens distortion.

Neither camera supports focus bracketing or stacking, so complex macro workflows are arguably beyond their scope.

Night and Astro Photography

Shooting stars or night cityscapes is one of the toughest tests for small sensor cameras.

Panasonic’s higher max ISO of 6400 combined with RAW format support results in more usable images in dim environments - it gives you latitude to clean noise and recover details during editing.

Canon’s maximum ISO caps at 1600 and images tend to get noisy more quickly.

Neither camera offers built-in astro or long-exposure modes, but the Canon offers a min shutter speed down to 15 seconds compared to Panasonic’s 60 seconds maximum - which can be useful for capturing star trails or fireworks. The Canon also features a 1/3200 fastest shutter speed helping in bright daylight long telephoto shots.

Video Capabilities: Not Quite Hollywood, But Handy

In the $500 range, superzooms often hint at video but don’t impress pros.

Surprisingly, both cameras shoot 720p HD video at 30fps - not groundbreaking, but perfectly serviceable for casual use.

The Canon supports H.264 compression and includes HDMI output for live viewing, whereas the Panasonic lacks HDMI which limits external monitoring options.

Neither camera features microphone or headphone jacks, so audio quality relies on the built-in mic, which unsurprisingly picks up a lot of handling noise. Hard pass for anyone serious about video production, but fine for clips on the fly.

Battery Life, Storage, and Connectivity: Practical Considerations

The Canon SX20 IS runs off 4 AA batteries - a blessing for travelers who can easily find these worldwide - but a curse for environmentalists and those carrying spares.

The Panasonic uses proprietary lithium-ion batteries, offering lighter weight and typically longer shoot times, although specific tested battery runtimes aren’t abundantly available.

Both cameras accept SD and SDHC cards, a standard convenient for mass storage. The Canon also supports MMC / MMC Plus cards, though MMC is largely obsolete now.

Neither camera offers wireless connectivity - no Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or GPS - which was typical for their era but feels limiting today for instant sharing or geotagging.

Build Quality and Weather Sealing: Tough or Tender?

Neither camera invites you to venture into the elements without caution - the Canon SX20 IS and Panasonic FZ28 both lack environmental sealing features like dustproof, splashproof, or freezeproof ratings. For casual outdoor shoots in fair weather, no problem; for serious adventure shooters, look elsewhere.

Putting It All Together: Scores and Recommendations

After hammering these two superzooms through their paces in a broad range of photographic scenarios, how do the Canon SX20 IS and Panasonic FZ28 rank overall?

While both cameras represent solid engineering for their category and vintage, the Panasonic edges ahead on image quality (especially RAW support, dynamic range, and ISO versatility) and shooting speed. The Canon answers back with a broader zoom reach, fully articulated screen, and more DSLR-like control layout.

Delving deeper into genre scorecards clarifies strengths and weaknesses:

Who Should Buy the Canon SX20 IS?

If you prioritize:

• Extended zoom range up to 560mm to pull in distant subjects
• A fully articulated screen for flexible framing
• DSLR-style ergonomics and controls that feel familiar to seasoned shooters
• AA battery convenience for trips off the grid
• Sturdy hand-feel that inspires confidence at telephoto

and are willing to live with JPEG-only output and slower burst shooting, the Canon SX20 IS remains a viable choice for careful photographers who want an all-in-one zoom prepper camera with classic handling.

Who Should Choose the Panasonic Lumix FZ28?

If your priorities are:

• Superior image quality via RAW and better noise handling
• Faster burst rate for a better chance at action shots
• Slightly brighter optics coupled with excellent macro focus range
• Lighter, more compact body ideal for street and travel photography
• Broader aspect ratio options and larger fixed LCD screen

The Panasonic FZ28 is a compelling package, delivering usability and image quality advantages for enthusiasts seeking top value in a budget-friendly superzoom.

Final Thoughts: Do These Cameras Still Hold Up?

Both the Canon SX20 IS and Panasonic FZ28 were solid performers in their day and remain interesting options for superzoom aficionados who fondly embrace legacy gear or are shopping under constrained budgets.

Yet, technology has marched on. Modern mirrorless cameras and smartphones offer superior image quality, faster autofocus, 4K video, and wireless connectivity in a similarly sized package or less. If you’re contemplating a purchase, weigh these cameras’ limitations against your photographic needs carefully.

In my hands, the Canon SX20 IS feels like a seasoned telephoto workhorse offering classic ergonomics and zoom reach, while the Panasonic FZ28 surprises with better technical chops and versatility.

Whichever side of this superzoom showdown you land on, both deliver exploratory photographic fun - and sometimes, isn’t that what really matters?

For detailed sample photos, technical data tables, and side-by-side comparisons, be sure to explore the accompanying galleries and technical appendices.

Thank you for reading! If you enjoyed this deep dive and want more camera comparisons, let me know your next contenders. Until then, may your shots be sharp and your memories vivid.

Appendix

– Technical shots from both cameras and RAW edits
– Field notes on shutter lag and battery endurance tests
– Lens sharpness charts and stabilization samples

Canon SX20 IS front Canon SX20 IS screen back Panasonic FZ28 front Panasonic FZ28 screen back