Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic LZ30
65 Imaging
35 Features
40 Overall
37


66 Imaging
39 Features
32 Overall
36
Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic LZ30 Key Specs
(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
- Announced July 2010
- Replaced the Canon SX10 IS
- New Model is Canon SX30 IS
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 6400
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 25-875mm (F3.0-5.9) lens
- 552g - 124 x 84 x 92mm
- Launched January 2013
- Succeeded the Panasonic LZ20
- New Model is Panasonic LZ40

Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic LZ30 Overview
Here is a detailed overview of the Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic LZ30, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by brands Canon and Panasonic. There exists a considerable gap among the sensor resolutions of the SX20 IS (12MP) and LZ30 (16MP) but they come with the exact same sensor size (1/2.3").

The SX20 IS was launched 3 years prior to the LZ30 and that is a fairly large difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of these cameras come with the identical body type (SLR-like (bridge)).
Before delving in to a in depth comparison, below is a quick summation of how the SX20 IS matches up versus the LZ30 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic LZ30 Gallery
This is a preview of the gallery images for Canon PowerShot SX20 IS & Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ30. The complete galleries are viewable at Canon SX20 IS Gallery & Panasonic LZ30 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX20 IS over the Panasonic LZ30
SX20 IS | LZ30 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Very accurate focusing | ||
Screen type | Fully Articulated | ![]() | Fixed | Fully Articulating screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Easy selfies |
Reasons to pick Panasonic LZ30 over the Canon SX20 IS
LZ30 | SX20 IS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | January 2013 | ![]() | July 2010 | Fresher by 30 months |
Screen dimension | 3" | ![]() | 2.5" | Bigger screen (+0.5") |
Screen resolution | 460k | ![]() | 230k | Sharper screen (+230k dot) |
Common features in the Canon SX20 IS and Panasonic LZ30
SX20 IS | LZ30 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Touch screen | ![]() | No Touch screen |
Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic LZ30 Physical Comparison
If you're intending to carry your camera frequently, you'll need to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Canon SX20 IS features external dimensions of 128mm x 88mm x 87mm (5.0" x 3.5" x 3.4") and a weight of 600 grams (1.32 lbs) while the Panasonic LZ30 has dimensions of 124mm x 84mm x 92mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 3.6") having a weight of 552 grams (1.22 lbs).
Contrast the Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic LZ30 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember that, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you use at that time. Below is the front view physical size comparison of the SX20 IS compared to the LZ30.

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SX20 IS and LZ30 is 65 and 66 respectively.

Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic LZ30 Sensor Comparison
Quite often, it can be tough to visualize the contrast in sensor sizing merely by looking through technical specs. The graphic underneath may give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the SX20 IS and LZ30.
As you can tell, both of these cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements albeit different MP. You can expect the Panasonic LZ30 to provide you with greater detail utilizing its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will let you crop pictures somewhat more aggressively. The older SX20 IS will be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.

Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic LZ30 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic LZ30 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SX20 IS | Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ30 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Canon | Panasonic |
Model type | Canon PowerShot SX20 IS | Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ30 |
Type | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Announced | 2010-07-06 | 2013-01-07 |
Body design | SLR-like (bridge) | SLR-like (bridge) |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | Digic 4 | - |
Sensor type | CCD | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor dimensions | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
Sensor surface area | 28.1mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12 megapixel | 16 megapixel |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 16:9 | - |
Max resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 4608 x 3456 |
Max native ISO | 1600 | 6400 |
Min native ISO | 80 | 100 |
RAW images | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch to focus | ||
AF continuous | ||
Single AF | ||
AF tracking | ||
AF selectice | ||
AF center weighted | ||
Multi area AF | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detect AF | ||
Contract detect AF | ||
Phase detect AF | ||
Total focus points | 9 | - |
Cross type focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 28-560mm (20.0x) | 25-875mm (35.0x) |
Largest aperture | f/2.8-5.7 | f/3.0-5.9 |
Macro focusing distance | 0cm | 1cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Range of display | Fully Articulated | Fixed Type |
Display size | 2.5" | 3" |
Resolution of display | 230 thousand dot | 460 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch operation | ||
Display technology | - | TFT LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Electronic | None |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 15 secs | 15 secs |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/3200 secs | 1/2000 secs |
Continuous shutter speed | 1.0fps | 1.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Set WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | 6.80 m | 4.40 m |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Fill-in | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro |
External flash | ||
AEB | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Fastest flash sync | 1/500 secs | - |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Max video resolution | 1280x720 | 1280x720 |
Video data format | H.264 | Motion JPEG |
Mic input | ||
Headphone input | ||
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 seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 600 grams (1.32 pounds) | 552 grams (1.22 pounds) |
Dimensions | 128 x 88 x 87mm (5.0" x 3.5" x 3.4") | 124 x 84 x 92mm (4.9" x 3.3" 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 life | - | 380 pictures |
Type of battery | - | AA |
Battery ID | 4 x AA | 4 x AA |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) | Yes (2 0r 10 sec) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Type of storage | SD / SDHC / MMC / MMC Plus / HC MMC Plus | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal |
Storage slots | One | One |
Retail cost | $500 | $230 |