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Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic ZS20

Portability
65
Imaging
35
Features
40
Overall
37
Canon PowerShot SX20 IS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 front
Portability
92
Imaging
37
Features
46
Overall
40

Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic ZS20 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
  • Replaced the Canon SX10 IS
  • Newer Model is Canon SX30 IS
Panasonic ZS20
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-480mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 206g - 105 x 59 x 28mm
  • Introduced April 2012
  • Also referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ30
  • Succeeded the Panasonic ZS15
  • Newer Model is Panasonic ZS25
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Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic ZS20 Overview

The following is a comprehensive review of the Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic ZS20, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by manufacturers Canon and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the SX20 IS (12MP) and the ZS20 (14MP) is very similar and both cameras provide the same sensor size (1/2.3").

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The SX20 IS was announced 22 months prior to the ZS20 making them a generation away from each other. The two cameras have different body design with the Canon SX20 IS being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Panasonic ZS20 being a Compact camera.

Before going straight to a comprehensive comparison, here is a short introduction of how the SX20 IS grades vs the ZS20 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX20 IS over the Panasonic ZS20

 SX20 IS ZS20 
Focus manually Very accurate focus
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS20 over the Canon SX20 IS

 ZS20 SX20 IS 
IntroducedApril 2012July 2010Newer by 22 months
Display dimensions3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution460k230kCrisper display (+230k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Common features in the Canon SX20 IS and Panasonic ZS20

 SX20 IS ZS20 

Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic ZS20 Physical Comparison

In case you're aiming to travel with your camera often, you're going to have to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Canon SX20 IS comes with outer measurements of 128mm x 88mm x 87mm (5.0" x 3.5" x 3.4") with a weight of 600 grams (1.32 lbs) while the Panasonic ZS20 has dimensions of 105mm x 59mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 206 grams (0.45 lbs).

Compare the Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic ZS20 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you have chosen during that time. Below is a front view dimension comparison of the SX20 IS and the ZS20.

Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic ZS20 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the SX20 IS and ZS20 is 65 and 92 respectively.

Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic ZS20 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic ZS20 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it can be tough to imagine the contrast between sensor dimensions just by going over specifications. The picture below will offer you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the SX20 IS and ZS20.

Plainly, each of the cameras have the same sensor dimensions but different MP. You can expect to see the Panasonic ZS20 to deliver more detail with its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also let you crop photos a bit more aggressively. The more aged SX20 IS is going to be behind with regard to sensor technology.

Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic ZS20 sensor size comparison

Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic ZS20 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic ZS20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon SX20 IS
Portrait photography with Panasonic ZS20
37
manual focus
high flash sync speed (1/500 seconds)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
30
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
external flash not possible
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Street Comparison

Canon SX20 IS as a Street photography camera
Panasonic ZS20 as a Street photography camera
49
screen can move to multiple angles
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
heavier than competition in class (600g)
65
has image stabilization (Optical)
has focus via touch
lighter than others (206 grams)
no moving screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX20 IS as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic ZS20 as a Sports photography camera
34
great zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
slow fps (1.0 frames per second)
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
47
excellent zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (14MP)
includes tracking focus
small sensor size (1/2.3")
terrible battery power (260 shots)
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon SX20 IS
Travel photography with Panasonic ZS20
53
has built in flash
screen is selfie friendly
quite wide (28mm)
long reach (560mm)
no Time Lapse function
heavier than competition in class (600g)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
68
lighter than others (206 grams)
has focus via touch
decent megapixels (14MP)
built-in flash
rather wide (24mm)
great zoom (480mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
terrible battery power (260 per charge)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon SX20 IS
Landscape photography with Panasonic ZS20
35
manual focus
quite wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is small (2.5 inch)
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
no Time Lapse function
42
rather wide (24mm)
screen is a decent size (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
terrible battery power (260 per charge)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon SX20 IS
Vlogging with Panasonic ZS20
50
quite wide (28mm)
screen is selfie friendly
image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
no external mic jack
heavier than competition in class (600 grams)
34
rather wide (24mm)
screen is touchscreen
has image stabilization (Optical)
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than others (206g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
doesn't have mic jack
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Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic ZS20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX20 IS and Panasonic ZS20
 Canon PowerShot SX20 ISPanasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20
General Information
Brand Name Canon Panasonic
Model Canon PowerShot SX20 IS Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20
Otherwise known as - Lumix DMC-TZ30
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2010-07-06 2012-04-26
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Digic 4 -
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4000 x 3000 4320 x 3240
Max native ISO 1600 6400
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 9 23
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-560mm (20.0x) 24-480mm (20.0x)
Max aperture f/2.8-5.7 f/3.3-6.4
Macro focus range 0cm 3cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Range of screen Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.5" 3"
Resolution of screen 230k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15 seconds 15 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/3200 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 1.0 frames per second 10.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 6.80 m 6.40 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/500 seconds -
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) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (220 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
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 BuiltIn
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 600 grams (1.32 lbs) 206 grams (0.45 lbs)
Physical dimensions 128 x 88 x 87mm (5.0" x 3.5" x 3.4") 105 x 59 x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1")
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 - 260 photographs
Form of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model 4 x AA -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD / SDHC / MMC / MMC Plus / HC MMC Plus SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots One One
Cost at launch $500 $349