Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic SZ10
65 Imaging
35 Features
40 Overall
37


93 Imaging
40 Features
34 Overall
37
Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic SZ10 Key Specs
(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
(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

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").

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.

Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic SZ10 Gallery
Following is a preview of the gallery images for Canon PowerShot SX20 IS & Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ10. The full galleries are available at Canon SX20 IS Gallery & Panasonic SZ10 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX20 IS over the Panasonic SZ10
SX20 IS | SZ10 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Very precise focus | ||
Screen type | Fully Articulated | ![]() | Tilting | Fully Articulating screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Take selfies |
Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ10 over the Canon SX20 IS
SZ10 | SX20 IS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | January 2015 | ![]() | July 2010 | Newer by 54 months |
Screen dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 2.5" | Bigger screen (+0.5") |
Screen resolution | 460k | ![]() | 230k | Crisper 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.
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.

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 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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic SZ10 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SX20 IS | Panasonic 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 |