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Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic ZS30

Portability
65
Imaging
34
Features
40
Overall
36
Canon PowerShot SX20 IS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30 front
Portability
92
Imaging
41
Features
48
Overall
43

Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic ZS30 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
  • Introduced July 2010
  • Replaced the Canon SX10 IS
  • Replacement is Canon SX30 IS
Panasonic ZS30
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-480mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 198g - 105 x 59 x 28mm
  • Revealed January 2013
  • Additionally referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ40
  • Previous Model is Panasonic ZS25
  • Replacement is Panasonic ZS35
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Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic ZS30 Overview

Below, we are looking at the Canon SX20 IS and Panasonic ZS30, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by brands Canon and Panasonic. There is a huge difference among the resolutions of the SX20 IS (12MP) and ZS30 (18MP) but they possess the exact same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The SX20 IS was unveiled 3 years prior to the ZS30 which is a fairly significant gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of the cameras come with different body type with the Canon SX20 IS being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Panasonic ZS30 being a Compact camera.

Before getting straight into a more detailed comparison, below is a concise highlight of how the SX20 IS scores vs the ZS30 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX20 IS over the Panasonic ZS30

 SX20 IS ZS30 
Focus manually More exact focus
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS30 over the Canon SX20 IS

 ZS30 SX20 IS 
RevealedJanuary 2013July 2010Newer by 30 months
Display dimension3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution920k230kCrisper display (+690k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Common features in the Canon SX20 IS and Panasonic ZS30

 SX20 IS ZS30 

Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic ZS30 Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to travel with your camera frequently, you are going to need to consider its weight and size. The Canon SX20 IS enjoys physical dimensions of 128mm x 88mm x 87mm (5.0" x 3.5" x 3.4") with a weight of 600 grams (1.32 lbs) and the Panasonic ZS30 has specifications of 105mm x 59mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") with a weight of 198 grams (0.44 lbs).

Check the Canon SX20 IS and Panasonic ZS30 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are utilizing during that time. Underneath is the front view size comparison of the SX20 IS against the ZS30.

Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic ZS30 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the SX20 IS and ZS30 is 65 and 92 respectively.

Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic ZS30 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic ZS30 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it's difficult to see the contrast in sensor dimensions just by checking out technical specs. The picture here should provide you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the SX20 IS and ZS30.

As you have seen, both cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements but not the same resolution. You should expect to see the Panasonic ZS30 to produce more detail having an extra 6MP. Greater resolution can also enable you to crop pics much more aggressively. The more aged SX20 IS will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor innovation.

Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic ZS30 sensor size comparison

Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic ZS30 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic ZS30 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX20 IS Portrait photography advice
Panasonic ZS30 Portrait photography advice
36
focusing manually
above average flash sync (1/500 seconds)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
32
sensor resolution is decent (18MP)
lack of manual focus
cannot use external flash
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Canon SX20 IS Street photography highlights
Panasonic ZS30 Street photography highlights
49
fully articulated screen
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
more heavy than competition (600 grams)
66
built in image stabilization (Optical)
boasts focus via touch
lighter than average in class (198g)
fixed screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX20 IS Sports photography details
Panasonic ZS30 Sports photography details
33
amazing zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
max fps low (1.0 fps)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
45
excellent zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (18MP)
includes tracking autofocus
low maximum shutter speed (1/1,200s)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
not so great battery life (260 shots)
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon SX20 IS
Travel photography with Panasonic ZS30
52
built-in flash
selfie friendly display
decently wide (28mm)
very long reach (560mm)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
more heavy than competition (600 grams)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
69
lighter than average in class (198g)
boasts focus via touch
sensor resolution is decent (18MP)
built-in flash
rather wide (24mm)
long zoom (480mm)
no Time Lapse function
not so great battery life (260 CIPA)
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX20 IS as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic ZS30 as a Landscape photography camera
35
focusing manually
decently wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is somewhat small (2.5 inch)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
doesn't have Timelapse recording
43
rather wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (18MP)
lack of manual focus
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
not so great battery life (260 CIPA)
no Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX20 IS Vlogging highlights
Panasonic ZS30 Vlogging highlights
49
decently wide (28mm)
selfie friendly display
has image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have external microphone support
more heavy than competition (600g)
35
rather wide (24mm)
touchscreen functionality
built in image stabilization (Optical)
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than average in class (198g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
no external mic support
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Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic ZS30 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX20 IS and Panasonic ZS30
 Canon PowerShot SX20 ISPanasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30
General Information
Company Canon Panasonic
Model Canon PowerShot SX20 IS Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30
Also called - Lumix DMC-TZ40
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2010-07-06 2013-01-07
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
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 megapixel 18 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4000 x 3000 4896 x 3672
Highest native ISO 1600 6400
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 9 23
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-560mm (20.0x) 24-480mm (20.0x)
Maximal aperture f/2.8-5.7 f/3.3-6.4
Macro focus distance 0cm 3cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.5 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 230k dots 920k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15 secs 15 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/3200 secs 1/1200 secs
Continuous shutter rate 1.0 frames per sec 10.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated 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
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 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), 320 x 240 (220 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic 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 BuiltIn
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 600g (1.32 lb) 198g (0.44 lb)
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 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 feature
Type of storage SD / SDHC / MMC / MMC Plus / HC MMC Plus SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots One One
Price at release $500 $250