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Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic SZ10

Portability
65
Imaging
35
Features
40
Overall
37
Canon PowerShot SX20 IS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ10 front
Portability
93
Imaging
40
Features
34
Overall
37

Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic SZ10 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
  • Introduced July 2010
  • Previous Model is Canon SX10 IS
  • Replacement is Canon SX30 IS
Panasonic SZ10
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Push to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-288mm (F3.1-6.3) lens
  • 177g - 99 x 60 x 30mm
  • Revealed January 2015
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Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic SZ10 Overview

The following is a in depth comparison of the Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic SZ10, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by manufacturers Canon and Panasonic. There is a noticeable difference among the sensor resolutions of the SX20 IS (12MP) and SZ10 (16MP) but both cameras offer the same sensor size (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The SX20 IS was unveiled 5 years before the SZ10 which is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera tech is concerned. The two cameras have different body design with the Canon SX20 IS being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Panasonic SZ10 being a Compact camera.

Before we go into a in-depth comparison, here is a simple summation of how the SX20 IS grades against the SZ10 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX20 IS over the Panasonic SZ10

 SX20 IS SZ10 
Focus manually Very precise focus
Screen typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ10 over the Canon SX20 IS

 SZ10 SX20 IS 
RevealedJanuary 2015July 2010Newer by 54 months
Screen dimensions3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution460k230kCrisper screen (+230k dot)

Common features in the Canon SX20 IS and Panasonic SZ10

 SX20 IS SZ10 
Touch friendly screen Neither has Touch friendly screen

Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic SZ10 Physical Comparison

If you're planning to travel with your camera, you will need to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Canon SX20 IS has physical 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 SZ10 has dimensions of 99mm x 60mm x 30mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.2") having a weight of 177 grams (0.39 lbs).

Examine the Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic SZ10 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you have chosen at the time. The following is a front view measurements comparison of the SX20 IS vs the SZ10.

Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic SZ10 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the SX20 IS and SZ10 is 65 and 93 respectively.

Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic SZ10 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic SZ10 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is very tough to visualise the gap in sensor dimensions only by researching specs. The image below should provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the SX20 IS and SZ10.

As you can plainly see, each of these cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same megapixels. You can expect the Panasonic SZ10 to provide you with more detail having an extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop shots a bit more aggressively. The more aged SX20 IS will be behind in sensor innovation.

Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic SZ10 sensor size comparison

Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic SZ10 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic SZ10 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX20 IS Portrait photography highlights
Panasonic SZ10 Portrait photography highlights
37
you can focus manually
high flash sync speed (1/500 seconds)
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
35
megapixel count decent (16MP)
includes face detection focus
no manual focus
no manual mode
external flash not possible
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon SX20 IS Street photography advice
Panasonic SZ10 Street photography advice
49
screen articulates fully
image stabilization (Optical)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
heavier than competitors in class (600 grams)
70
tilting screen
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (177 grams)
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX20 IS as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic SZ10 as a Sports photography camera
34
amazing zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
continuous shooting slow (1.0 fps)
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
34
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
low fps (1.4 fps)
no shutter priority
small sensor (1/2.3")
low battery (200 CIPA)
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon SX20 IS
Travel photography with Panasonic SZ10
53
has built in flash
selfie friendly screen
fairly wide (28mm)
great zoom (560mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
heavier than competitors in class (600 grams)
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
67
lighter than competition (177g)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
flash built-in
really wide (24mm)
great zoom (288mm)
missing Timelapse function
low battery (200 per charge)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX20 IS Landscape photography details
Panasonic SZ10 Landscape photography details
35
you can focus manually
fairly wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen is somewhat small (2.5 inch)
resolution not great (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
41
really wide (24mm)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
no manual focus
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
no manual mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
low battery (200 per charge)
missing Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX20 IS Vlogging factors
Panasonic SZ10 Vlogging factors
50
fairly wide (28mm)
selfie friendly screen
image stabilization (Optical)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have external mic port
heavier than competitors in class (600 grams)
32
really wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detection focus
lighter than competition (177g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing external microphone support
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Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic SZ10 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX20 IS and Panasonic SZ10
 Canon PowerShot SX20 ISPanasonic Lumix DMC-SZ10
General Information
Brand Canon Panasonic
Model Canon PowerShot SX20 IS Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ10
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2010-07-06 2015-01-06
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Digic 4 -
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4000 x 3000 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 1600 1600
Highest boosted ISO - 6400
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-560mm (20.0x) 24-288mm (12.0x)
Max aperture f/2.8-5.7 f/3.1-6.3
Macro focus range 0cm -
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fully Articulated Tilting
Screen size 2.5 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15s 8s
Maximum shutter speed 1/3200s 1/2000s
Continuous shooting rate 1.0 frames/s 1.4 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 6.80 m 5.20 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Fill-in Auto, auto w/redeye reduction, on, slow sync w/redeye, off
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum 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 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p), 320 x 240 (30p)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 600 gr (1.32 lb) 177 gr (0.39 lb)
Physical dimensions 128 x 88 x 87mm (5.0" x 3.5" x 3.4") 99 x 60 x 30mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.2")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life - 200 photographs
Battery style - Battery Pack
Battery model 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 1 1
Launch price $500 $200