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Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic ZS5

Portability
65
Imaging
35
Features
40
Overall
37
Canon PowerShot SX20 IS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5 front
Portability
92
Imaging
35
Features
30
Overall
33

Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic ZS5 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
  • Superseded the Canon SX10 IS
  • Renewed by Canon SX30 IS
Panasonic ZS5
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-300mm (F3.3-4.9) lens
  • 214g - 103 x 60 x 32mm
  • Launched June 2010
  • Additionally Known as Lumix DMC-TZ8
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Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic ZS5 Overview

In this article, we are contrasting the Canon SX20 IS and Panasonic ZS5, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by rivals Canon and Panasonic. The resolution of the SX20 IS (12MP) and the ZS5 (12MP) is very close and they possess the same exact sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The SX20 IS was manufactured within a month of the ZS5 and they are both of a similar age. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Canon SX20 IS being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Panasonic ZS5 being a Compact camera.

Before going in to a full comparison, below is a short summary of how the SX20 IS matches up versus the ZS5 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX20 IS over the Panasonic ZS5

 SX20 IS ZS5 
Focus manually More exact focusing
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS5 over the Canon SX20 IS

 ZS5 SX20 IS 
Display sizing2.7"2.5"Larger display (+0.2")

Common features in the Canon SX20 IS and Panasonic ZS5

 SX20 IS ZS5 
LaunchedJuly 2010June 2010Same age
Display resolution230k230kExact same display resolution
Touch display No Touch display

Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic ZS5 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is looking to carry your camera regularly, you'll need to consider its weight and measurements. The Canon SX20 IS has physical measurements of 128mm x 88mm x 87mm (5.0" x 3.5" x 3.4") having a weight of 600 grams (1.32 lbs) while the Panasonic ZS5 has proportions of 103mm x 60mm x 32mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") and a weight of 214 grams (0.47 lbs).

Check out the Canon SX20 IS and Panasonic ZS5 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you use at that moment. Following is the front view scale comparison of the SX20 IS compared to the ZS5.

Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic ZS5 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the SX20 IS and ZS5 is 65 and 92 respectively.

Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic ZS5 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic ZS5 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it's difficult to see the difference in sensor sizing merely by viewing technical specs. The graphic here should provide you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the SX20 IS and ZS5.

As you have seen, both of these cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing and the exact same MP and you can expect comparable quality of photos however you really should consider the age of the cameras into account.

Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic ZS5 sensor size comparison

Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic ZS5 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic ZS5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX20 IS Portrait photography information
Panasonic ZS5 Portrait photography information
37
you can focus manually
above average flash sync speed (1/500s)
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
27
offers face detection focusing
focusing manually not possible
external flash not possible
low MP (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Canon SX20 IS Street photography features
Panasonic ZS5 Street photography features
49
screen can move to multiple angles
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
heavier than others in class (600 grams)
61
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (214g)
no moving screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX20 IS Sports photography details
Panasonic ZS5 Sports photography details
34
incredible zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
low fps (1.0 frames/s)
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
31
built in image stabilization (Optical)
offers tracking autofocus
low maximum shutter speed (1/1,300 seconds)
max fps low (2.0 frames/s)
low MP (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX20 IS Travel photography info
Panasonic ZS5 Travel photography info
53
flash built-in
display is selfie friendly
relatively wide (28mm)
very long zoom (560mm)
lack of Time Lapse mode
heavier than others in class (600 grams)
resolution not great (12MP)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
63
lighter than competition (214 grams)
has built in flash
quite wide (25mm)
very long zoom (300mm)
does not have Time Lapse recording
low MP (12 megapixels)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX20 IS Landscape photography information
Panasonic ZS5 Landscape photography information
35
you can focus manually
relatively wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is small (2.5")
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
lack of Time Lapse mode
33
quite wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
low MP (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
does not have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon SX20 IS
Vlogging with Panasonic ZS5
50
relatively wide (28mm)
display is selfie friendly
built in image stabilization (Optical)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of mic socket
heavier than others in class (600 grams)
31
quite wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection focusing
lighter than competition (214g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have external mic socket
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Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic ZS5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX20 IS and Panasonic ZS5
 Canon PowerShot SX20 ISPanasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5
General Information
Company Canon Panasonic
Model Canon PowerShot SX20 IS Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5
Also called - Lumix DMC-TZ8
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2010-07-06 2010-06-16
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Digic 4 Venus Engine HD II
Sensor type CCD CCD
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 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 1600 6400
Lowest native ISO 80 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 9 11
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-560mm (20.0x) 25-300mm (12.0x)
Largest aperture f/2.8-5.7 f/3.3-4.9
Macro focus distance 0cm 3cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display size 2.5 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of display 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15 secs 60 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/3200 secs 1/1300 secs
Continuous shooting rate 1.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 6.80 m 5.30 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/500 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) 1280 x 720 (30fps), 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 Motion JPEG
Mic 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
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 600 grams (1.32 lb) 214 grams (0.47 lb)
Dimensions 128 x 88 x 87mm (5.0" x 3.5" x 3.4") 103 x 60 x 32mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 model 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 1 1
Retail price $500 $300