Clicky

Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic LZ20

Portability
65
Imaging
35
Features
40
Overall
37
Canon PowerShot SX20 IS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ20 front
Portability
71
Imaging
40
Features
34
Overall
37

Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic LZ20 Key Specs

Canon SX20 IS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.5" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-560mm (F2.8-5.7) lens
  • 600g - 128 x 88 x 87mm
  • Released July 2010
  • Replaced the Canon SX10 IS
  • New Model is Canon SX30 IS
Panasonic LZ20
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Boost to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-525mm (F3.1-5.8) lens
  • 499g - 120 x 76 x 80mm
  • Revealed July 2012
  • Newer Model is Panasonic LZ30
Leica struggles with L-Mount camera sales, tougher than Q or M

Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic LZ20 Overview

Lets look a bit more closely at the Canon SX20 IS versus Panasonic LZ20, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by rivals Canon and Panasonic. There exists a big gap between the sensor resolutions of the SX20 IS (12MP) and LZ20 (16MP) but both cameras offer the same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

Apple patent reveals improved iPhone camera durability

The SX20 IS was brought out 24 months earlier than the LZ20 which makes them a generation apart from one another. Both of these cameras have the same body design (SLR-like (bridge)).

Before diving straight to a in-depth comparison, here is a short overview of how the SX20 IS matches up against the LZ20 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

TikTok Developing Photo App to Challenge Instagram's Dominance
	
	

Reasons to pick Canon SX20 IS over the Panasonic LZ20

 SX20 IS LZ20 
Manually focus Very accurate focusing
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Panasonic LZ20 over the Canon SX20 IS

 LZ20 SX20 IS 
RevealedJuly 2012July 2010Fresher by 24 months
Screen dimensions3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution460k230kCrisper screen (+230k dot)

Common features in the Canon SX20 IS and Panasonic LZ20

 SX20 IS LZ20 
Touch screen Neither offers Touch screen

Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic LZ20 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is planning to carry your camera often, you will want to consider its weight and dimensions. The Canon SX20 IS offers physical measurements of 128mm x 88mm x 87mm (5.0" x 3.5" x 3.4") along with a weight of 600 grams (1.32 lbs) while the Panasonic LZ20 has dimensions of 120mm x 76mm x 80mm (4.7" x 3.0" x 3.1") accompanied by a weight of 499 grams (1.10 lbs).

Check out the Canon SX20 IS versus Panasonic LZ20 in the latest Camera with 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 time. Here is a front view over all size comparison of the SX20 IS compared to the LZ20.

Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic LZ20 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SX20 IS and LZ20 is 65 and 71 respectively.

Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic LZ20 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic LZ20 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it can be tough to envision the gap between sensor sizing purely by reading through specifications. The graphic below might give you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the SX20 IS and LZ20.

To sum up, each of these cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same MP. You should expect the Panasonic LZ20 to give you greater detail having its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop pictures more aggressively. The older SX20 IS is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic LZ20 sensor size comparison

Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic LZ20 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic LZ20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Nikon Coolpix camera search on Google skyrockets by 8,500%

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX20 IS Portrait photography features
Panasonic LZ20 Portrait photography features
37
focusing manually
high flash sync (1/500s)
low MP (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
37
MP count good (16MP)
comes with face detection focusing
manual focus not available
can't use external flash
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
Ulanzi's Tripod Ensures Ultra Smooth Filming

Street Comparison

Canon SX20 IS as a Street photography camera
Panasonic LZ20 as a Street photography camera
49
screen articulates
built in image stabilization (Optical)
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
heavier than competition in class (600 grams)
45
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
heavier than competitors (499g)
Europe Approves Revolutionary AI Legislation

Sports Comparison

Canon SX20 IS Sports photography advice
Panasonic LZ20 Sports photography advice
34
excellent zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
low MP (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
47
amazing zoom range (25-525mm 21.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16MP)
comes with tracking autofocus
better than average battery power (380 shots)
low fps (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
Google AI Gemini Could Enhance iPhone Experience, Talks Suggest

Travel Comparison

Canon SX20 IS Travel photography highlights
Panasonic LZ20 Travel photography highlights
53
built-in flash
screen is selfie friendly
relatively wide (28mm)
long reach (560mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
heavier than competition in class (600g)
low MP (12MP)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
58
better than average battery power (380 shots)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
relatively wide (25mm)
great reach (525mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
heavier than competitors (499 grams)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
AI-Powered Photo Editing Tools Could Be Added to WhatsApp

Landscape Comparison

Canon SX20 IS Landscape photography highlights
Panasonic LZ20 Landscape photography highlights
35
focusing manually
relatively wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
small screen (2.5 inch)
low MP (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
does not have Time Lapse mode
45
relatively wide (25mm)
screen is a good size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
better than average battery power (380 shots)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
does not have Time Lapse mode
Peek Behind the Lens of 'Photographer' and Their Go-To Cameras

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX20 IS Vlogging advice
Panasonic LZ20 Vlogging advice
50
relatively wide (28mm)
screen is selfie friendly
built in image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have external mic socket
heavier than competition in class (600g)
25
relatively wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detection focusing
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have external mic support
heavier than competitors (499 grams)
Fujifilm accuses Eastman Kodak of patent violation in new lawsuit

Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic LZ20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX20 IS and Panasonic LZ20
 Canon PowerShot SX20 ISPanasonic Lumix DMC-LZ20
General Information
Brand Name Canon Panasonic
Model type Canon PowerShot SX20 IS Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ20
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2010-07-06 2012-07-18
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Chip Digic 4 -
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 surface area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4000 x 3000 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 1600 1600
Max boosted ISO - 6400
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-560mm (20.0x) 25-525mm (21.0x)
Max aperture f/2.8-5.7 f/3.1-5.8
Macro focusing range 0cm 2cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Type of display Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display size 2.5" 3"
Display resolution 230 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology - TFT Screen LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15s 15s
Highest shutter speed 1/3200s 1/2000s
Continuous shooting rate 1.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 6.80 m 6.80 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/500s -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) 1280 x 720p ( 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 600g (1.32 pounds) 499g (1.10 pounds)
Physical dimensions 128 x 88 x 87mm (5.0" x 3.5" x 3.4") 120 x 76 x 80mm (4.7" x 3.0" x 3.1")
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 - 380 shots
Battery style - Battery Pack
Battery ID 4 x AA -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD / SDHC / MMC / MMC Plus / HC MMC Plus SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Cost at launch $500 $250