Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic ZS30
65 Imaging
34 Features
40 Overall
36
92 Imaging
41 Features
48 Overall
43
Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic ZS30 Key Specs
(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
(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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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").
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modesThe 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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The following is a sample of the gallery pics for Canon PowerShot SX20 IS and Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30. The full galleries are available at Canon SX20 IS Gallery and Panasonic ZS30 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX20 IS over the Panasonic ZS30
| SX20 IS | ZS30 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focus manually | More exact focus | |||
| Display type | Fully Articulated | Fixed | Fully Articulating display | |
| Selfie screen | Easy selfies |
Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS30 over the Canon SX20 IS
| ZS30 | SX20 IS | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revealed | January 2013 | July 2010 | Newer by 30 months | |
| Display dimension | 3" | 2.5" | Larger display (+0.5") | |
| Display resolution | 920k | 230k | Crisper 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.
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.

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the SX20 IS and ZS30 is 65 and 92 respectively.
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 Screen and ViewFinder
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Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic ZS30 Specifications
| Canon PowerShot SX20 IS | Panasonic 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 |