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Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic FZ40

Portability
65 Imaging
35 Features
40 Overall
37
Canon PowerShot SX20 IS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40 front
Portability
68 Imaging
36 Features
40 Overall
37

Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic FZ40 Key Specs

Canon SX20 IS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.5" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-560mm (F2.8-5.7) lens
  • 600g - 128 x 88 x 87mm
  • Revealed July 2010
  • Succeeded the Canon SX10 IS
  • Refreshed by Canon SX30 IS
Panasonic FZ40
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-600mm (F2.8-5.2) lens
  • 494g - 120 x 80 x 92mm
  • Announced July 2010
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-FZ45
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Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic FZ40 Overview

The following is a thorough assessment of the Canon SX20 IS versus Panasonic FZ40, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by rivals Canon and Panasonic. The resolution of the SX20 IS (12MP) and the FZ40 (14MP) is fairly close and they come with the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The SX20 IS was launched within a month of the FZ40 which means that they are of a similar age. Each of the cameras offer the identical body type (SLR-like (bridge)).

Before diving straight into a in depth comparison, below is a concise summation of how the SX20 IS grades vs the FZ40 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX20 IS over the Panasonic FZ40

					

					

						
 SX20 IS FZ40 
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Selfie screen  Easy selfies
					

				


				

					

						
Reasons to pick Panasonic FZ40 over the Canon SX20 IS

					

					

						
 FZ40 SX20 IS 
Display sizing3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
					

				


				

					

						
Common features in the Canon SX20 IS and Panasonic FZ40

					

					

						
 SX20 IS FZ40 
AnnouncedJuly 2010July 2010Same age
Manually focus  More precise focusing
Display resolution230k230kEqual display resolution
Touch display  Missing Touch display
					

				

				

	
	
	
	

				

					

						
Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic FZ40 Physical Comparison

					

					

						
If you're intending to travel with your camera frequently, you have to factor in its weight and volume. The Canon SX20 IS enjoys exterior dimensions of 128mm x 88mm x 87mm (5.0" x 3.5" x 3.4") and a weight of 600 grams (1.32 lbs) whilst the Panasonic FZ40 has sizing of 120mm x 80mm x 92mm (4.7" x 3.1" x 3.6") with a weight of 494 grams (1.09 lbs).
Compare the Canon SX20 IS versus Panasonic FZ40 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses
Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you have chosen during that time. Below is the front view scale comparison of the SX20 IS vs the FZ40.
Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic FZ40 size comparison
Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the SX20 IS and FZ40 is 65 and 68 respectively.
Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic FZ40 top view buttons comparison					

				


				

					

						
Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic FZ40 Sensor Comparison

					

					

						
Usually, it can be hard to see the gap in sensor dimensions simply by viewing technical specs. The image below should give you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the SX20 IS and FZ40.
As you have seen, the 2 cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but not the same MP. You can anticipate the Panasonic FZ40 to render greater detail utilizing its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop images far more aggressively.

						Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic FZ40 sensor size comparison
					

				


				

					

						
Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic FZ40 Screen and ViewFinder

					

					

											

					Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic FZ40 Screen and Viewfinder comparison				


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Photography Type Scores

					

				

				
Portrait Comparison
Portrait photography with Canon SX20 IS
Portrait photography with Panasonic FZ40
37
 has manual focus
 flash sync is higher than normal (1/500s)
 low resolution (12 megapixels)
 very small sensor size (1/2.3")
 lacks RAW support
45
 you can focus manually
 sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
 supports RAW formats
 external flash not possible
 tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison
 Canon SX20 IS as a Street photography camera
 Panasonic FZ40 as a Street photography camera
49
 screen articulates fully
 image stabilization (Optical)
 very small sensor size (1/2.3")
 lacks RAW support
 more heavy than others in class (600 grams)
51
 image stabilization (Optical)
 supports RAW formats
 no moving screen
 tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
 heavier than competitors (494g)
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Sports Comparison
Canon SX20 IS Sports photography advice
Panasonic FZ40 Sports photography advice
34
 incredible zoom range (28-560mm  20.0 x zoom)
 image stabilization (Optical)
 max fps very slow (1.0 frames/s)
 low resolution (12MP)
 very small sensor size (1/2.3")
 lacks phase detect autofocus
43
 great zoom range (25-600mm  24.0 x zoom)
 image stabilization (Optical)
 sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
 continuous shooting slow (2.0 frames per second)
 tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
 lacks phase detect auto focus
Photography Glossary
Travel Comparison
 Canon SX20 IS as a Travel photography camera
 Panasonic FZ40 as a Travel photography camera
53
 has built in flash
 selfie friendly display
 fairly wide (28mm)
 very long reach (560mm)
 doesn't have Timelapse function
 more heavy than others in class (600g)
 low resolution (12MP)
 sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
54
 sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
 flash built-in
 rather wide (25mm)
 very long reach (600mm)
 lack of Time Lapse mode
 heavier than competitors (494g)
 screen is not selfie friendly
 sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison
Landscape photography with Canon SX20 IS
Landscape photography with Panasonic FZ40
35
 has manual focus
 fairly wide (28mm)
 image stabilization (Optical)
 fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
 sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
 tiny screen (2.5 inch)
 low resolution (12MP)
 very small sensor size (1/2.3")
 lacks RAW support
 doesn't have Timelapse function
51
 you can focus manually
 rather wide (25mm)
 nice screen size (3 inch)
 image stabilization (Optical)
 sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
 supports RAW formats
 fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
 sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
 tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
 lack of Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison
Canon SX20 IS Vlogging factors
Panasonic FZ40 Vlogging factors
50
 fairly wide (28mm)
 selfie friendly display
 image stabilization (Optical)
 sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
 video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
 doesn't have microphone port
 more heavy than others in class (600g)
22
 rather wide (25mm)
 image stabilization (Optical)
 sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
 screen is not selfie friendly
 low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
 lack of mic port
 heavier than competitors (494 grams)
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Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic FZ40 Specifications

					

					

											


					

						Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX20 IS and Panasonic FZ40
 Canon PowerShot SX20 ISPanasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40
General Information
Brand Name Canon Panasonic
Model type Canon PowerShot SX20 IS Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40
Otherwise known as - Lumix DMC-FZ45
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2010-07-06 2010-07-21
Body design SLR-like (bridge) SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Digic 4 Venus Engine HD II
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti alias filter    
Aspect ratio 4:3 and  16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and  16:9
Peak resolution 4000 x 3000 4320 x 3240
Highest native ISO 1600 6400
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW format    
Autofocusing
Focus manually    
Touch focus    
Continuous autofocus    
Single autofocus    
Autofocus tracking    
Selective autofocus    
Autofocus center weighted    
Autofocus multi area    
Autofocus live view    
Face detection autofocus    
Contract detection autofocus    
Phase detection autofocus    
Total focus points 9 -
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-560mm (20.0x) 25-600mm (24.0x)
Maximum aperture f/2.8-5.7 f/2.8-5.2
Macro focusing range 0cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.5 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly    
Liveview    
Touch screen    
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic
Features
Min shutter speed 15s 60s
Max shutter speed 1/3200s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter speed 1.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority    
Aperture priority    
Manual exposure    
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance    
Image stabilization    
Inbuilt flash    
Flash distance 6.80 m 9.50 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync
External flash    
AEB    
White balance bracketing    
Max flash sync 1/500s -
Exposure
Multisegment    
Average    
Spot    
Partial    
AF area    
Center weighted    
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format H.264 AVCHD Lite
Mic 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 None
Physical
Environment seal    
Water proofing    
Dust proofing    
Shock proofing    
Crush proofing    
Freeze proofing    
Weight 600g (1.32 pounds) 494g (1.09 pounds)
Dimensions 128 x 88 x 87mm (5.0" x 3.5" x 3.4") 120 x 80 x 92mm (4.7" x 3.1" x 3.6")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 ID 4 x AA -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 pictures))
Time lapse feature    
Type of storage SD / SDHC / MMC / MMC Plus / HC MMC Plus SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots One One
Price at release $500 $420