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Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic ZS15

Portability
65
Imaging
35
Features
40
Overall
37
Canon PowerShot SX20 IS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15 front
Portability
92
Imaging
36
Features
37
Overall
36

Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic ZS15 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
  • Released July 2010
  • Old Model is Canon SX10 IS
  • Refreshed by Canon SX30 IS
Panasonic ZS15
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-384mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 208g - 105 x 58 x 33mm
  • Released June 2012
  • Other Name is Lumix DMC-TZ25
  • New Model is Panasonic ZS20
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Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic ZS15 Overview

Below is a in-depth comparison of the Canon SX20 IS and Panasonic ZS15, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by manufacturers Canon and Panasonic. The image resolution of the SX20 IS (12MP) and the ZS15 (12MP) is relatively close and they enjoy the same exact sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The SX20 IS was unveiled 24 months prior to the ZS15 which makes the cameras a generation apart from one another. Both of the cameras offer different body type with the Canon SX20 IS being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Panasonic ZS15 being a Compact camera.

Before going straight into a thorough comparison, below is a simple highlight of how the SX20 IS matches up versus the ZS15 for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Photography Glossary

        

Reasons to pick Canon SX20 IS over the Panasonic ZS15

 SX20 IS ZS15 
Focus manually Very accurate focus
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS15 over the Canon SX20 IS

 ZS15 SX20 IS 
ReleasedJune 2012July 2010More recent by 24 months
Screen sizing3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution460k230kClearer screen (+230k dot)

Common features in the Canon SX20 IS and Panasonic ZS15

 SX20 IS ZS15 
Touch friendly screen Lack of Touch friendly screen

Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic ZS15 Physical Comparison

When you are planning to lug around your camera frequently, you need to consider its weight and measurements. The Canon SX20 IS has exterior measurements of 128mm x 88mm x 87mm (5.0" x 3.5" x 3.4") having a weight of 600 grams (1.32 lbs) and the Panasonic ZS15 has proportions of 105mm x 58mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") with a weight of 208 grams (0.46 lbs).

Analyze the Canon SX20 IS and Panasonic ZS15 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are utilising at the time. Following is the front view sizing comparison of the SX20 IS vs the ZS15.

Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic ZS15 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SX20 IS and ZS15 is 65 and 92 respectively.

Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic ZS15 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic ZS15 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it's hard to envision the contrast in sensor measurements simply by looking through a spec sheet. The graphic below might offer you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the SX20 IS and ZS15.

As you can see, both of the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing and the identical megapixels therefore you can expect comparable quality of files although you should factor the launch date of the cameras into account. The older SX20 IS will be behind when it comes to sensor technology.

Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic ZS15 sensor size comparison

Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic ZS15 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic ZS15 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX20 IS Portrait photography info
Panasonic ZS15 Portrait photography info
37
has manual focus
high flash sync speed (1/500 seconds)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
21
lack of manual focus
can't use external flash
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Canon SX20 IS Street photography advice
Panasonic ZS15 Street photography advice
49
screen articulates
built in image stabilization (Optical)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
heavier than competition in class (600g)
61
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (208g)
no moving screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX20 IS Sports photography details
Panasonic ZS15 Sports photography details
34
great zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
36
excellent zoom range (24-384mm 16.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
features tracking focus
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
MP count low (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
terrible battery life (260 shots)
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX20 IS Travel photography features
Panasonic ZS15 Travel photography features
53
flash built-in
selfie friendly display
relatively wide (28mm)
very long reach (560mm)
lack of Time Lapse mode
heavier than competition in class (600g)
MP count low (12MP)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
61
lighter than competition in class (208 grams)
has built in flash
pretty wide (24mm)
very long zoom (384mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
terrible battery life (260 CIPA)
MP count low (12MP)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon SX20 IS
Landscape photography with Panasonic ZS15
35
has manual focus
relatively wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is small (2.5 inches)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
lack of Time Lapse mode
37
pretty wide (24mm)
decent sized screen (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
MP count low (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
terrible battery life (260 CIPA)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX20 IS Vlogging advice
Panasonic ZS15 Vlogging advice
50
relatively wide (28mm)
selfie friendly display
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of mic port
heavier than competition in class (600 grams)
33
pretty wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition in class (208 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
doesn't have mic port
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Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic ZS15 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX20 IS and Panasonic ZS15
 Canon PowerShot SX20 ISPanasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15
General Information
Make Canon Panasonic
Model Canon PowerShot SX20 IS Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15
Also called as - Lumix DMC-TZ25
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2010-07-06 2012-06-29
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Digic 4 -
Sensor type CCD CMOS
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 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 1600 6400
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 9 23
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-560mm (20.0x) 24-384mm (16.0x)
Maximal aperture f/2.8-5.7 f/3.3-5.9
Macro focus range 0cm 3cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen size 2.5 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 230k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15 secs 15 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/3200 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 1.0 frames per second 2.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 6.80 m 6.40 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/500 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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 600g (1.32 pounds) 208g (0.46 pounds)
Dimensions 128 x 88 x 87mm (5.0" x 3.5" x 3.4") 105 x 58 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" 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 life - 260 photographs
Type of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model 4 x AA -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD / SDHC / MMC / MMC Plus / HC MMC Plus SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots One One
Pricing at release $500 $279