Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic ZS50
65 Imaging
35 Features
40 Overall
37


90 Imaging
37 Features
57 Overall
45
Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic ZS50 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
- Released July 2010
- Replaced the Canon SX10 IS
- Updated by Canon SX30 IS
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 80 - 6400
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 24-720mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
- 243g - 111 x 65 x 34mm
- Introduced January 2015
- Additionally Known as Lumix DMC-TZ70
- Earlier Model is Panasonic ZS45
- Replacement is Panasonic ZS60

Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic ZS50 Overview
Below is a thorough comparison of the Canon SX20 IS and Panasonic ZS50, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by companies Canon and Panasonic. The image resolution of the SX20 IS (12MP) and the ZS50 (12MP) is very close and they possess the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").

The SX20 IS was brought out 5 years prior to the ZS50 and that is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of these cameras offer different body type with the Canon SX20 IS being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Panasonic ZS50 being a Compact camera.
Before diving through a detailed comparison, below is a brief summary of how the SX20 IS grades against the ZS50 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic ZS50 Gallery
The following is a sample of the gallery pics for Canon PowerShot SX20 IS & Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS50. The entire galleries are viewable at Canon SX20 IS Gallery & Panasonic ZS50 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX20 IS over the Panasonic ZS50
SX20 IS | ZS50 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display type | Fully Articulated | ![]() | Fixed | Fully Articulating display |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Easy selfies |
Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS50 over the Canon SX20 IS
ZS50 | SX20 IS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | January 2015 | ![]() | July 2010 | More recent by 54 months |
Display sizing | 3" | ![]() | 2.5" | Larger display (+0.5") |
Display resolution | 1040k | ![]() | 230k | Clearer display (+810k dot) |
Common features in the Canon SX20 IS and Panasonic ZS50
SX20 IS | ZS50 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | More precise focusing | ||
Touch display | ![]() | Neither offers Touch display |
Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic ZS50 Physical Comparison
For anyone who is going to lug around your camera frequently, you will want to factor in its weight and proportions. The Canon SX20 IS offers outside 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 ZS50 has measurements of 111mm x 65mm x 34mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.3") along with a weight of 243 grams (0.54 lbs).
Contrast the Canon SX20 IS and Panasonic ZS50 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you have attached at the time. Following is the front view dimension comparison of the SX20 IS versus the ZS50.

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the SX20 IS and ZS50 is 65 and 90 respectively.

Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic ZS50 Sensor Comparison
In many cases, it is very tough to visualise the difference in sensor measurements just by researching specifications. The graphic here will provide you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the SX20 IS and ZS50.
To sum up, both cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing and the same exact resolution so you can expect comparable quality of pictures however you may want to consider the launch date of the cameras into account. The older SX20 IS will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor technology.

Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic ZS50 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic ZS50 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SX20 IS | Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS50 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Canon | Panasonic |
Model | Canon PowerShot SX20 IS | Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS50 |
Alternate name | - | Lumix DMC-TZ70 |
Class | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Released | 2010-07-06 | 2015-01-06 |
Body design | SLR-like (bridge) | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | Digic 4 | - |
Sensor type | CCD | CMOS |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor measurements | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
Sensor surface area | 28.1mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12 megapixel | 12 megapixel |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 16:9 | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Max resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 4000 x 3000 |
Max native ISO | 1600 | 6400 |
Min native ISO | 80 | 80 |
RAW support | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detection autofocus | ||
Contract detection autofocus | ||
Phase detection autofocus | ||
Number of focus points | 9 | 23 |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 28-560mm (20.0x) | 24-720mm (30.0x) |
Largest aperture | f/2.8-5.7 | f/3.3-6.4 |
Macro focus distance | 0cm | 3cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fully Articulated | Fixed Type |
Screen size | 2.5 inch | 3 inch |
Resolution of screen | 230 thousand dot | 1,040 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch capability | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Electronic | Electronic |
Viewfinder resolution | - | 1,166 thousand dot |
Viewfinder coverage | - | 100% |
Viewfinder magnification | - | 0.46x |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 15 seconds | 4 seconds |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/3200 seconds | 1/2000 seconds |
Continuous shutter speed | 1.0 frames per sec | 10.0 frames per sec |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Set white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash range | 6.80 m | 6.40 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 | ||
AE bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Fastest flash sync | 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 (60p/60i/30p), 1280 x 720 (60p/30p), 640 x 480 (30p) |
Max video resolution | 1280x720 | 1920x1080 |
Video format | H.264 | MPEG-4, AVCHD |
Microphone input | ||
Headphone input | ||
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 seal | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 600g (1.32 pounds) | 243g (0.54 pounds) |
Dimensions | 128 x 88 x 87mm (5.0" x 3.5" x 3.4") | 111 x 65 x 34mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.3") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall score | not tested | 44 |
DXO Color Depth score | not tested | 20.0 |
DXO Dynamic range score | not tested | 11.2 |
DXO Low light score | not tested | 138 |
Other | ||
Battery life | - | 300 shots |
Style of battery | - | Battery Pack |
Battery model | 4 x AA | - |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Type of storage | SD / SDHC / MMC / MMC Plus / HC MMC Plus | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal |
Storage slots | Single | Single |
Pricing at release | $500 | $350 |