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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
37
Features
40
Overall
38

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
46
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)
23
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