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Canon SX230 HS vs Panasonic ZS20

Portability
91
Imaging
35
Features
43
Overall
38
Canon PowerShot SX230 HS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 front
Portability
92
Imaging
37
Features
46
Overall
40

Canon SX230 HS vs Panasonic ZS20 Key Specs

Canon SX230 HS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-392mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 223g - 106 x 62 x 33mm
  • Announced July 2011
  • Earlier Model is Canon SX210 IS
  • Updated by Canon SX240 HS
Panasonic ZS20
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-480mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 206g - 105 x 59 x 28mm
  • Released April 2012
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-TZ30
  • Superseded the Panasonic ZS15
  • Renewed by Panasonic ZS25
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Canon SX230 HS vs Panasonic ZS20 Overview

Lets look a little more in depth at the Canon SX230 HS versus Panasonic ZS20, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by rivals Canon and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the SX230 HS (12MP) and the ZS20 (14MP) is fairly comparable and both cameras offer the identical sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The SX230 HS was announced 9 months earlier than the ZS20 and they are both of a similar generation. Each of the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before delving straight to a more detailed comparison, here is a simple summary of how the SX230 HS grades against the ZS20 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX230 HS over the Panasonic ZS20

 SX230 HS ZS20 
Manual focus Dial exact focus
Display resolution461k460kCrisper display (+1k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS20 over the Canon SX230 HS

 ZS20 SX230 HS 
ReleasedApril 2012July 2011More recent by 9 months
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Canon SX230 HS and Panasonic ZS20

 SX230 HS ZS20 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display size3"3"Same display sizing
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen

Canon SX230 HS vs Panasonic ZS20 Physical Comparison

For those who are aiming to lug around your camera, you have to consider its weight and dimensions. The Canon SX230 HS enjoys exterior measurements of 106mm x 62mm x 33mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.3") and a weight of 223 grams (0.49 lbs) whilst the Panasonic ZS20 has dimensions of 105mm x 59mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") and a weight of 206 grams (0.45 lbs).

Look at the Canon SX230 HS versus Panasonic ZS20 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you use at that moment. Here is a front view measurement comparison of the SX230 HS and the ZS20.

Canon SX230 HS vs Panasonic ZS20 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the SX230 HS and ZS20 is 91 and 92 respectively.

Canon SX230 HS vs Panasonic ZS20 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX230 HS vs Panasonic ZS20 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is very tough to visualise the gap in sensor measurements purely by checking out specs. The visual below may offer you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the SX230 HS and ZS20.

All in all, both of these cameras come with the identical sensor size but not the same resolution. You should anticipate the Panasonic ZS20 to produce more detail with its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop pics a good deal more aggressively. The older SX230 HS will be behind when it comes to sensor technology.

Canon SX230 HS vs Panasonic ZS20 sensor size comparison

Canon SX230 HS vs Panasonic ZS20 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX230 HS vs Panasonic ZS20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX230 HS Portrait photography info
Panasonic ZS20 Portrait photography info
34
has manual focus
features face detect focus
can't use external flash
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
30
good megapixels (14MP)
no manual focus
cannot use external flash
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Canon SX230 HS Street photography info
Panasonic ZS20 Street photography info
60
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (223 grams)
screen is fixed
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
65
image stabilization (Optical)
provides focus by touch
lighter than competitors in class (206 grams)
screen does not articulate
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX230 HS Sports photography features
Panasonic ZS20 Sports photography features
36
excellent zoom range (28-392mm 14.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
features tracking focus
continuous shooting slow (3.0 frames per second)
low resolution sensor (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
terrible battery (210 CIPA)
has no phase detect auto focus
47
amazing zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (14MP)
has tracking focus
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
bad battery life (260 per charge)
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX230 HS Travel photography factors
Panasonic ZS20 Travel photography factors
61
lighter than competition (223g)
flash built-in
really wide (28mm)
very long zoom (392mm)
lack of Time Lapse recording
terrible battery (210 per charge)
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f3.1)
68
lighter than competitors in class (206g)
provides focus by touch
good megapixels (14MP)
flash built-in
relatively wide (24mm)
very long reach (480mm)
lack of Timelapse recording
bad battery life (260 per charge)
display is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX230 HS as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic ZS20 as a Landscape photography camera
41
has manual focus
really wide (28mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
low resolution sensor (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
terrible battery (210 CIPA)
lack of Time Lapse recording
42
relatively wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (14MP)
no manual focus
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
bad battery life (260 shots)
lack of Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX230 HS Vlogging info
Panasonic ZS20 Vlogging info
34
really wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition (223 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
lack of mic jack
34
relatively wide (24mm)
built-in touchscreen
image stabilization (Optical)
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competitors in class (206 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
display is not selfie friendly
lack of microphone jack
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Canon SX230 HS vs Panasonic ZS20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX230 HS and Panasonic ZS20
 Canon PowerShot SX230 HSPanasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20
General Information
Brand Canon Panasonic
Model type Canon PowerShot SX230 HS Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20
Also referred to as - Lumix DMC-TZ30
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2011-07-19 2012-04-26
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip DIGIC 4 with iSAPS technology -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 14MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4000 x 3000 4320 x 3240
Max native ISO 3200 6400
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 9 23
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-392mm (14.0x) 24-480mm (20.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.1-5.9 f/3.3-6.4
Macro focusing range 5cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 461k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display tech PureColor II TG TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15s 15s
Fastest shutter speed 1/3200s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter speed 3.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 3.50 m 6.40 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (24fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 120 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 240 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (220 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 223 gr (0.49 lb) 206 gr (0.45 lb)
Physical dimensions 106 x 62 x 33mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.3") 105 x 59 x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1")
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 210 photos 260 photos
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NB-5L -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC/MMC/MMCplus/HC MMCplus SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Retail price $399 $349