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Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic ZS50

Portability
65
Imaging
35
Features
40
Overall
37
Canon PowerShot SX20 IS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS50 front
Portability
90
Imaging
37
Features
57
Overall
45

Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic ZS50 Key Specs

Canon SX20 IS
(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
Panasonic ZS50
(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
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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").

Photography Glossary

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.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX20 IS over the Panasonic ZS50

 SX20 IS ZS50 
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS50 over the Canon SX20 IS

 ZS50 SX20 IS 
IntroducedJanuary 2015July 2010More recent by 54 months
Display sizing3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution1040k230kClearer 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic ZS50 size comparison

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 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic ZS50 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic ZS50 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX20 IS Portrait photography info
Panasonic ZS50 Portrait photography info
37
manual focus
high flash sync (1/500s)
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
42
manual focus
comes with face detect focus
delivers RAW files
cannot use external flash
megapixel count low (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Canon SX20 IS Street photography advice
Panasonic ZS50 Street photography advice
49
screen articulates fully
has image stabilization (Optical)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
more heavy than competition (600g)
68
has image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW files
lighter than competitors in class (243 grams)
no articulating screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX20 IS Sports photography advice
Panasonic ZS50 Sports photography advice
34
excellent zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
low resolution sensor (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
43
amazing zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
comes with tracking focus
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX20 IS Travel photography info
Panasonic ZS50 Travel photography info
53
flash built-in
selfie friendly display
reasonably wide (28mm)
long reach (560mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
more heavy than competition (600g)
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
66
lighter than competitors in class (243 grams)
flash built-in
really wide (24mm)
long zoom (720mm)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon SX20 IS
Landscape photography with Panasonic ZS50
35
manual focus
reasonably wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is small (2.5")
low resolution sensor (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
doesn't have Timelapse function
51
manual focus
really wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW files
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon SX20 IS
Vlogging with Panasonic ZS50
50
reasonably wide (28mm)
selfie friendly display
has image stabilization (Optical)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have microphone jack
more heavy than competition (600g)
34
really wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detect focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competitors in class (243 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
no microphone jack
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Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic ZS50 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX20 IS and Panasonic ZS50
 Canon PowerShot SX20 ISPanasonic 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