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Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic ZS1

Portability
65
Imaging
34
Features
40
Overall
36
Canon PowerShot SX20 IS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1 front
Portability
91
Imaging
32
Features
25
Overall
29

Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic ZS1 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
  • Announced July 2010
  • Replaced the Canon SX10 IS
  • Refreshed by Canon SX30 IS
Panasonic ZS1
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.5" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 25-300mm (F3.3-4.9) lens
  • 229g - 103 x 60 x 33mm
  • Announced May 2009
  • Also Known as Lumix DMC-TZ6
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Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic ZS1 Overview

Let's look much closer at the Canon SX20 IS and Panasonic ZS1, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by companies Canon and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the SX20 IS (12MP) and the ZS1 (10MP) is relatively close but the SX20 IS (1/2.3") and ZS1 (1/2.5") boast totally different sensor sizing.

Photography Glossary

The SX20 IS was brought out 14 months later than the ZS1 which makes them a generation apart from each other. The two cameras feature different body design with the Canon SX20 IS being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Panasonic ZS1 being a Compact camera.

Before we go into a in depth comparison, here is a concise summary of how the SX20 IS grades versus the ZS1 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX20 IS over the Panasonic ZS1

 SX20 IS ZS1 
AnnouncedJuly 2010May 2009Fresher by 14 months
Focus manually Very accurate focusing
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS1 over the Canon SX20 IS

 ZS1 SX20 IS 
Screen size2.7"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.2")

Common features in the Canon SX20 IS and Panasonic ZS1

 SX20 IS ZS1 
Screen resolution230k230kExact same screen resolution
Touch friendly screen Neither provides Touch friendly screen

Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic ZS1 Physical Comparison

If you are looking to carry your camera, you will want to take into account its weight and proportions. The Canon SX20 IS provides physical measurements of 128mm x 88mm x 87mm (5.0" x 3.5" x 3.4") accompanied by a weight of 600 grams (1.32 lbs) while the Panasonic ZS1 has measurements of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") having a weight of 229 grams (0.50 lbs).

Analyze the Canon SX20 IS and Panasonic ZS1 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are working with at that moment. Below is a front view measurements comparison of the SX20 IS and the ZS1.

Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic ZS1 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the SX20 IS and ZS1 is 65 and 91 respectively.

Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic ZS1 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic ZS1 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is tough to visualise the difference in sensor sizing simply by viewing specs. The photograph here should provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the SX20 IS and ZS1.

As you can plainly see, both of these cameras come with different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The SX20 IS because of its bigger sensor will make achieving shallower depth of field simpler and the Canon SX20 IS will render greater detail having its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will also help you crop shots a good deal more aggressively. The more modern SX20 IS will have a benefit in sensor tech.

Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic ZS1 sensor size comparison

Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic ZS1 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic ZS1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX20 IS as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic ZS1 as a Portrait photography camera
36
manual focus
above average flash sync (1/500s)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
24
provides face detect focus
no manual focus
manual mode not available
external flash not possible
megapixel count low (10MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.5")
lacks RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon SX20 IS
Street photography with Panasonic ZS1
49
fully articulated screen
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
heavier than competitors (600g)
60
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (229 grams)
screen is fixed
tiny sensor size (1/2.5")
lacks RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX20 IS as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic ZS1 as a Sports photography camera
33
long zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
max frames per second low (1.0 fps)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
24
has image stabilization (Optical)
slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.5")
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX20 IS Travel photography info
Panasonic ZS1 Travel photography info
52
built-in flash
selfie friendly screen
rather wide (28mm)
long zoom (560mm)
missing Time Lapse mode
heavier than competitors (600 grams)
megapixel count low (12MP)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
62
lighter than competition (229 grams)
built-in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
great zoom (300mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX20 IS Landscape photography details
Panasonic ZS1 Landscape photography details
35
manual focus
rather wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen is somewhat small (2.5")
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
missing Time Lapse mode
30
pretty wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
manual mode not available
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.5")
lacks RAW files
doesn't have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX20 IS as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic ZS1 as a Vlogging camera
49
rather wide (28mm)
selfie friendly screen
image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing mic socket
heavier than competitors (600g)
31
pretty wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect focus
lighter than competition (229g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
video resolution low (640 x 480 pxls)
doesn't have mic jack
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Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic ZS1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX20 IS and Panasonic ZS1
 Canon PowerShot SX20 ISPanasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1
General Information
Brand Name Canon Panasonic
Model Canon PowerShot SX20 IS Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1
Also called as - Lumix DMC-TZ6
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2010-07-06 2009-05-14
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Digic 4 -
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.5"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 5.744 x 4.308mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 24.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 10 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2
Peak resolution 4000 x 3000 3648 x 2736
Highest native ISO 1600 6400
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 9 11
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-560mm (20.0x) 25-300mm (12.0x)
Maximal aperture f/2.8-5.7 f/3.3-4.9
Macro focus range 0cm 3cm
Crop factor 5.8 6.3
Screen
Range of screen Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.5 inches 2.7 inches
Screen resolution 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15 secs 60 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/3200 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 1.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 6.80 m 5.30 m (Auto ISO)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/500 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 640x480
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
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 600 grams (1.32 lbs) 229 grams (0.50 lbs)
Physical dimensions 128 x 88 x 87mm (5.0" x 3.5" x 3.4") 103 x 60 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 model 4 x AA -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD / SDHC / MMC / MMC Plus / HC MMC Plus SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal
Storage slots One One
Launch pricing $500 $0