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Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic ZS45

Portability
65
Imaging
35
Features
40
Overall
37
Canon PowerShot SX20 IS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS45 front
Portability
91
Imaging
41
Features
55
Overall
46

Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic ZS45 Key Specs

Canon SX20 IS
(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
  • Released July 2010
  • Older Model is Canon SX10 IS
  • Replacement is Canon SX30 IS
Panasonic ZS45
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-480mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 249g - 108 x 60 x 32mm
  • Announced January 2015
  • Also referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ57
  • Replaced the Panasonic ZS40
  • Updated by Panasonic ZS50
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Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic ZS45 Overview

Here, we will be comparing the Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic ZS45, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by brands Canon and Panasonic. There exists a considerable gap between the resolutions of the SX20 IS (12MP) and ZS45 (16MP) but both cameras offer the identical sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The SX20 IS was unveiled 5 years earlier than the ZS45 which is quite a large difference as far as technology is concerned. Both of these cameras feature different body design with the Canon SX20 IS being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Panasonic ZS45 being a Compact camera.

Before we go into a comprehensive comparison, here is a short introduction of how the SX20 IS matches up vs the ZS45 for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX20 IS over the Panasonic ZS45

 SX20 IS ZS45 
Manually focus More precise focus
Screen typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS45 over the Canon SX20 IS

 ZS45 SX20 IS 
AnnouncedJanuary 2015July 2010Newer by 54 months
Screen size3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution1040k230kSharper screen (+810k dot)

Common features in the Canon SX20 IS and Panasonic ZS45

 SX20 IS ZS45 
Touch screen Absent Touch screen

Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic ZS45 Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to travel with your camera frequently, you will have to factor in its weight and volume. The Canon SX20 IS comes with physical measurements of 128mm x 88mm x 87mm (5.0" x 3.5" x 3.4") along with a weight of 600 grams (1.32 lbs) and the Panasonic ZS45 has sizing of 108mm x 60mm x 32mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.3") having a weight of 249 grams (0.55 lbs).

Check out the Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic ZS45 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you select at that moment. Here is a front view measurement comparison of the SX20 IS against the ZS45.

Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic ZS45 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SX20 IS and ZS45 is 65 and 91 respectively.

Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic ZS45 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic ZS45 Sensor Comparison

Typically, its tough to imagine the contrast between sensor dimensions simply by looking at technical specs. The pic here may provide you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the SX20 IS and ZS45.

As you can tell, each of the cameras come with the identical sensor size albeit different megapixels. You can count on the Panasonic ZS45 to give extra detail having an extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will let you crop shots a good deal more aggressively. The more aged SX20 IS is going to be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic ZS45 sensor size comparison

Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic ZS45 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic ZS45 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon SX20 IS
Portrait photography with Panasonic ZS45
37
focusing manually
high flash sync speed (1/500 seconds)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
37
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
features face detection autofocus
lack of manual focus
no external flash support
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Canon SX20 IS Street photography advice
Panasonic ZS45 Street photography advice
49
screen can move to multiple angles
built in image stabilization (Optical)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
heavier than competitors (600g)
69
has a tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors (249g)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX20 IS Sports photography details
Panasonic ZS45 Sports photography details
34
long zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
slow fps (1.0 frames per second)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
56
incredible zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16MP)
features tracking autofocus
good battery pack (350 CIPA)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX20 IS as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic ZS45 as a Travel photography camera
53
built-in flash
selfie friendly display
quite wide (28mm)
very long zoom (560mm)
missing Time Lapse mode
heavier than competitors (600 grams)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
71
good battery pack (350 CIPA)
lighter than competitors (249 grams)
megapixel count good (16MP)
built-in flash
quite wide (24mm)
long reach (480mm)
lack of Time Lapse function
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX20 IS as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic ZS45 as a Landscape photography camera
35
focusing manually
quite wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
small screen (2.5")
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
missing Time Lapse mode
48
quite wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
good battery pack (350 per charge)
lack of manual focus
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
lack of Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX20 IS Vlogging highlights
Panasonic ZS45 Vlogging highlights
50
quite wide (28mm)
selfie friendly display
built in image stabilization (Optical)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing mic support
heavier than competitors (600 grams)
34
quite wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
features face detection autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competitors (249 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
display is not selfie friendly
lack of external mic support
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Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic ZS45 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX20 IS and Panasonic ZS45
 Canon PowerShot SX20 ISPanasonic Lumix DMC-ZS45
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Panasonic
Model type Canon PowerShot SX20 IS Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS45
Also called as - Lumix DMC-TZ57
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2010-07-06 2015-01-06
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 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4000 x 3000 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 1600 6400
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 9 21
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-560mm (20.0x) 24-480mm (20.0x)
Largest aperture f/2.8-5.7 f/3.3-6.4
Macro focusing range 0cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Tilting
Display sizing 2.5" 3"
Resolution of display 230k dots 1,040k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Features
Min shutter speed 15 seconds 4 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/3200 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 1.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 6.80 m 6.00 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Fill-in Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/500 seconds -
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 (30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format H.264 MPEG-4
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 None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 600 gr (1.32 pounds) 249 gr (0.55 pounds)
Physical dimensions 128 x 88 x 87mm (5.0" x 3.5" x 3.4") 108 x 60 x 32mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 life - 350 shots
Battery style - Battery Pack
Battery ID 4 x AA -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD / SDHC / MMC / MMC Plus / HC MMC Plus SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots One One
Retail price $500 $300