Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic ZS3
65 Imaging
35 Features
40 Overall
37


91 Imaging
33 Features
30 Overall
31
Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic ZS3 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.5" Fully Articulated Display
- 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
- Replaced the Canon SX10 IS
- Updated by Canon SX30 IS
(Full Review)
- 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 6400
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 25-300mm (F3.3-4.9) lens
- 229g - 103 x 60 x 33mm
- Announced May 2009
- Also Known as Lumix DMC-TZ7

Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic ZS3 Overview
Below is a extensive comparison of the Canon SX20 IS versus Panasonic ZS3, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by competitors Canon and Panasonic. The image resolution of the SX20 IS (12MP) and the ZS3 (10MP) is relatively close and both cameras boast the same sensor size (1/2.3").

The SX20 IS was launched 14 months later than the ZS3 which makes them a generation apart from each other. Both the cameras have different body design with the Canon SX20 IS being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Panasonic ZS3 being a Compact camera.
Before delving into a full comparison, here is a brief overview of how the SX20 IS scores vs the ZS3 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic ZS3 Gallery
Below is a preview of the gallery photos for Canon PowerShot SX20 IS and Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3. The complete galleries are provided at Canon SX20 IS Gallery and Panasonic ZS3 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX20 IS over the Panasonic ZS3
SX20 IS | ZS3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | July 2010 | ![]() | May 2009 | More recent by 14 months |
Focus manually | ![]() | More exact focusing | ||
Screen type | Fully Articulated | ![]() | Fixed | Fully Articulating screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Take selfies |
Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS3 over the Canon SX20 IS
ZS3 | SX20 IS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 2.5" | Bigger screen (+0.5") |
Screen resolution | 460k | ![]() | 230k | Sharper screen (+230k dot) |
Common features in the Canon SX20 IS and Panasonic ZS3
SX20 IS | ZS3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Touch screen | ![]() | No Touch screen |
Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic ZS3 Physical Comparison
When you are going to lug around your camera frequently, you should factor its weight and size. The Canon SX20 IS offers external dimensions 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 ZS3 has specifications of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") along with a weight of 229 grams (0.50 lbs).
Check the Canon SX20 IS versus Panasonic ZS3 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you are utilizing at that moment. Below is a front view dimensions comparison of the SX20 IS and the ZS3.

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the SX20 IS and ZS3 is 65 and 91 respectively.

Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic ZS3 Sensor Comparison
Often, its hard to imagine the difference in sensor measurements merely by looking through technical specs. The photograph underneath will give you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the SX20 IS and ZS3.
As you have seen, both of those cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit different MP. You should count on the Canon SX20 IS to result in extra detail utilizing its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop pictures a bit more aggressively. The younger SX20 IS should have an advantage with regard to sensor innovation.

Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic ZS3 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic ZS3 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SX20 IS | Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Canon | Panasonic |
Model type | Canon PowerShot SX20 IS | Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 |
Also called | - | Lumix DMC-TZ7 |
Type | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Introduced | 2010-07-06 | 2009-05-14 |
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 surface area | 28.1mm² | 27.7mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12 megapixel | 10 megapixel |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 16:9 | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Full resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 3648 x 2736 |
Max native ISO | 1600 | 6400 |
Lowest native ISO | 80 | 80 |
RAW format | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch to focus | ||
Continuous AF | ||
AF single | ||
AF tracking | ||
AF selectice | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
AF multi area | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detect AF | ||
Contract detect AF | ||
Phase detect AF | ||
Total focus points | 9 | 11 |
Lens | ||
Lens support | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 28-560mm (20.0x) | 25-300mm (12.0x) |
Maximum aperture | f/2.8-5.7 | f/3.3-4.9 |
Macro focusing distance | 0cm | 3cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fully Articulated | Fixed Type |
Display sizing | 2.5 inches | 3 inches |
Display resolution | 230 thousand dots | 460 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch function | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Electronic | None |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 15 secs | 60 secs |
Highest shutter speed | 1/3200 secs | 1/2000 secs |
Continuous shooting rate | 1.0 frames per sec | 2.0 frames per sec |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Custom WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | 6.80 m | 5.30 m (Auto ISO) |
Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Fill-in | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync |
External flash | ||
AE bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Highest flash synchronize | 1/500 secs | - |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
Max video resolution | 1280x720 | 1280x720 |
Video data format | H.264 | AVCHD Lite |
Microphone port | ||
Headphone port | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 600 gr (1.32 pounds) | 229 gr (0.50 pounds) |
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 All around rating | not tested | not tested |
DXO Color Depth rating | not tested | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range rating | not tested | not tested |
DXO Low light rating | not tested | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery ID | 4 x AA | - |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Type of storage | SD / SDHC / MMC / MMC Plus / HC MMC Plus | SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal |
Card slots | Single | Single |
Retail pricing | $500 | $200 |