Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic ZS35

Below is a extended comparison of the Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic ZS35, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by competitors Canon and Panasonic. There exists a sizable gap among the image resolutions of the SX20 IS (12MP) and ZS35 (16MP) but they feature the exact same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The SX20 IS was launched 4 years before the ZS35 and that is a fairly significant difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of these cameras come with different body type with the Canon SX20 IS being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Panasonic ZS35 being a Compact camera.

Before we go in to a thorough comparison, below is a brief view of how the SX20 IS matches up versus the ZS35 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Here is a preview of the gallery photos for Canon PowerShot SX20 IS & Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS35. The complete galleries are available at Canon SX20 IS Gallery & Panasonic ZS35 Gallery.

If you are looking to lug around your camera often, you'll have to take into account its weight and size. The Canon SX20 IS provides outer dimensions 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 ZS35 has specifications of 107mm x 62mm x 32mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 305 grams (0.67 lbs).

Check out the Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic ZS35 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Remember, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you have chosen at that time. Here is the front view measurement comparison of the SX20 IS against the ZS35.

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SX20 IS and ZS35 is 65 and 89 respectively.

Sometimes, its hard to envision the difference in sensor measurements only by going through technical specs. The visual underneath might offer you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the SX20 IS and ZS35.

As you have seen, both cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements albeit not the same MP. You can count on the Panasonic ZS35 to show extra detail utilizing its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop shots somewhat more aggressively. The older SX20 IS will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor innovation.