Clicky

Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic ZS8

Portability
65
Imaging
35
Features
40
Overall
37
Canon PowerShot SX20 IS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8 front
Portability
92
Imaging
37
Features
39
Overall
37

Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic ZS8 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
  • Refreshed by Canon SX30 IS
Panasonic ZS8
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-384mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 210g - 105 x 58 x 33mm
  • Launched July 2011
  • Additionally referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ18
  • Old Model is Panasonic ZS7
Ulanzi's Tripod Ensures Ultra Smooth Filming

Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic ZS8 Overview

Below, we will be looking at the Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic ZS8, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by manufacturers Canon and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the SX20 IS (12MP) and the ZS8 (14MP) is pretty well matched and they enjoy the exact same sensor size (1/2.3").

Europe Approves Revolutionary AI Legislation

The SX20 IS was introduced 12 months prior to the ZS8 so they are of a similar generation. Each of these cameras come with different body type with the Canon SX20 IS being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Panasonic ZS8 being a Compact camera.

Before delving in to a more detailed comparison, below is a concise highlight of how the SX20 IS grades versus the ZS8 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

TikTok Developing Photo App to Challenge Instagram's Dominance
	
	

Reasons to pick Canon SX20 IS over the Panasonic ZS8

 SX20 IS ZS8 
Manual focus More exact focus
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS8 over the Canon SX20 IS

 ZS8 SX20 IS 
LaunchedJuly 2011July 2010More modern by 12 months
Screen dimension3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")

Common features in the Canon SX20 IS and Panasonic ZS8

 SX20 IS ZS8 
Screen resolution230k230kExact same screen resolution
Touch screen Lack of Touch screen

Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic ZS8 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is planning to carry around your camera often, you should factor in its weight and proportions. The Canon SX20 IS comes with external dimensions of 128mm x 88mm x 87mm (5.0" x 3.5" x 3.4") and a weight of 600 grams (1.32 lbs) whilst the Panasonic ZS8 has measurements of 105mm x 58mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") along with a weight of 210 grams (0.46 lbs).

Examine the Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic ZS8 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you are employing at that time. Here is the front view dimension comparison of the SX20 IS and the ZS8.

Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic ZS8 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the SX20 IS and ZS8 is 65 and 92 respectively.

Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic ZS8 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic ZS8 Sensor Comparison

Usually, its hard to see the gap between sensor sizes simply by looking at specifications. The image underneath may give you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the SX20 IS and ZS8.

To sum up, the two cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements albeit not the same MP. You should expect the Panasonic ZS8 to give extra detail using its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also help you crop shots somewhat more aggressively. The more aged SX20 IS is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor innovation.

Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic ZS8 sensor size comparison

Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic ZS8 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic ZS8 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Google AI Gemini Could Enhance iPhone Experience, Talks Suggest

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX20 IS Portrait photography advice
Panasonic ZS8 Portrait photography advice
37
focusing manually
above average flash sync (1/500 seconds)
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
30
decent MP (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
cannot use external flash
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW support
Peek Behind the Lens of 'Photographer' and Their Go-To Cameras

Street Comparison

Canon SX20 IS as a Street photography camera
Panasonic ZS8 as a Street photography camera
49
screen articulates fully
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
more heavy than others (600 grams)
61
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (210g)
no moving screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW support
Fujifilm accuses Eastman Kodak of patent violation in new lawsuit

Sports Comparison

Canon SX20 IS Sports photography info
Panasonic ZS8 Sports photography info
34
great zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
47
excellent zoom range (24-384mm 16.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (14 megapixels)
offers tracking autofocus
max frames per second very slow (2.0 fps)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
Apple patent reveals improved iPhone camera durability

Travel Comparison

Canon SX20 IS as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic ZS8 as a Travel photography camera
53
has built in flash
screen is selfie friendly
relatively wide (28mm)
great zoom (560mm)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
more heavy than others (600 grams)
low megapixels (12MP)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
69
lighter than competition in class (210g)
decent MP (14MP)
has built in flash
pretty wide (24mm)
long zoom (384mm)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
Leica struggles with L-Mount camera sales, tougher than Q or M

Landscape Comparison

Canon SX20 IS Landscape photography info
Panasonic ZS8 Landscape photography info
35
focusing manually
relatively wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen is somewhat small (2.5")
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
doesn't have Timelapse recording
44
pretty wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (14MP)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW support
doesn't have Timelapse mode
AI-Powered Photo Editing Tools Could Be Added to WhatsApp

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX20 IS Vlogging advice
Panasonic ZS8 Vlogging advice
50
relatively wide (28mm)
screen is selfie friendly
image stabilization (Optical)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have microphone port
more heavy than others (600 grams)
30
pretty wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (210 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have external microphone support
Nikon Coolpix camera search on Google skyrockets by 8,500%

Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic ZS8 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX20 IS and Panasonic ZS8
 Canon PowerShot SX20 ISPanasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8
General Information
Brand Canon Panasonic
Model Canon PowerShot SX20 IS Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8
Also referred to as - Lumix DMC-TZ18
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2010-07-06 2011-07-19
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Digic 4 Venus Engine FHD
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4000 x 3000 4320 x 3240
Highest native ISO 1600 6400
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 9 11
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-560mm (20.0x) 24-384mm (16.0x)
Highest aperture f/2.8-5.7 f/3.3-5.9
Macro focus range 0cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.5 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen tech - TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15s 60s
Maximum shutter speed 1/3200s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting rate 1.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 6.80 m 5.00 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/500s -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format H.264 MPEG-4
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 600 grams (1.32 lb) 210 grams (0.46 lb)
Dimensions 128 x 88 x 87mm (5.0" x 3.5" x 3.4") 105 x 58 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" 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 life - 340 pictures
Battery style - Battery Pack
Battery model 4 x AA -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD / SDHC / MMC / MMC Plus / HC MMC Plus SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Price at launch $500 $275