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Canon SX270 HS vs Panasonic ZS20

Portability
91
Imaging
36
Features
43
Overall
38
Canon PowerShot SX270 HS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 front
Portability
92
Imaging
37
Features
46
Overall
40

Canon SX270 HS vs Panasonic ZS20 Key Specs

Canon SX270 HS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-500mm (F3.5-6.8) lens
  • 233g - 106 x 63 x 33mm
  • Announced March 2013
  • Succeeded the Canon SX260 HS
  • Renewed by Canon SX280 HS
Panasonic ZS20
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • 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
  • Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-TZ30
  • Older Model is Panasonic ZS15
  • Refreshed by Panasonic ZS25
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Canon SX270 HS vs Panasonic ZS20 Overview

In this write-up, we will be matching up the Canon SX270 HS vs Panasonic ZS20, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by competitors Canon and Panasonic. The resolution of the SX270 HS (12MP) and the ZS20 (14MP) is pretty well matched and they enjoy the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The SX270 HS was manufactured 11 months later than the ZS20 so they are both of a similar age. Both the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before getting through a step-by-step comparison, below is a brief view of how the SX270 HS scores versus the ZS20 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX270 HS over the Panasonic ZS20

 SX270 HS ZS20 
ReleasedMarch 2013April 2012Fresher by 11 months
Manually focus Dial exact focusing
Screen resolution461k460kCrisper screen (+1k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS20 over the Canon SX270 HS

 ZS20 SX270 HS 
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Canon SX270 HS and Panasonic ZS20

 SX270 HS ZS20 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen measurement
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen

Canon SX270 HS vs Panasonic ZS20 Physical Comparison

For those who are looking to carry your camera, you'll have to factor its weight and size. The Canon SX270 HS comes with outer dimensions of 106mm x 63mm x 33mm (4.2" x 2.5" x 1.3") with a weight of 233 grams (0.51 lbs) while the Panasonic ZS20 has specifications of 105mm x 59mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") with a weight of 206 grams (0.45 lbs).

See the Canon SX270 HS vs Panasonic ZS20 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are using during that time. Underneath is the front view measurements comparison of the SX270 HS compared to the ZS20.

Canon SX270 HS vs Panasonic ZS20 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SX270 HS and ZS20 is 91 and 92 respectively.

Canon SX270 HS vs Panasonic ZS20 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX270 HS vs Panasonic ZS20 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it can be difficult to visualize the difference between sensor sizing only by checking a spec sheet. The graphic here might give you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the SX270 HS and ZS20.

Clearly, the 2 cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit different megapixels. You can expect the Panasonic ZS20 to resolve extra detail due to its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will also help you crop photographs a little more aggressively. The more recent SX270 HS provides a benefit when it comes to sensor technology.

Canon SX270 HS vs Panasonic ZS20 sensor size comparison

Canon SX270 HS vs Panasonic ZS20 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX270 HS vs Panasonic ZS20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX270 HS as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic ZS20 as a Portrait photography camera
34
focusing manually
has face detection focusing
external flash not possible
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
30
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
no manual focus
can't use external flash
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon SX270 HS Street photography features
Panasonic ZS20 Street photography features
61
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (233 grams)
screen is fixed
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
65
image stabilization (Optical)
offers focus by touch
lighter than competitors (206g)
fixed screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX270 HS Sports photography factors
Panasonic ZS20 Sports photography factors
36
long zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
has tracking autofocus
slow fps (4.0 fps)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
bad battery life (210 shots)
has no phase detect AF
47
great zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
has tracking autofocus
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
not so great battery power (260 CIPA)
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX270 HS Travel photography features
Panasonic ZS20 Travel photography features
61
lighter than average (233g)
has built in flash
quite wide (25mm)
great reach (500mm)
does not have Timelapse recording
bad battery life (210 CIPA)
megapixel count low (12MP)
does not offer selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
68
lighter than competitors (206g)
offers focus by touch
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (24mm)
very long zoom (480mm)
no Time Lapse mode
not so great battery power (260 shots)
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon SX270 HS
Landscape photography with Panasonic ZS20
41
focusing manually
quite wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
bad battery life (210 per charge)
does not have Timelapse recording
42
reasonably wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
not so great battery power (260 shots)
no Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon SX270 HS
Vlogging with Panasonic ZS20
34
quite wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
has face detection focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than average (233 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
does not offer selfie friendly display
does not have external microphone socket
34
reasonably wide (24mm)
built-in touchscreen
image stabilization (Optical)
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competitors (206g)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
no external mic jack
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Canon SX270 HS vs Panasonic ZS20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX270 HS and Panasonic ZS20
 Canon PowerShot SX270 HSPanasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Panasonic
Model Canon PowerShot SX270 HS Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20
Alternate name - Lumix DMC-TZ30
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2013-03-21 2012-04-26
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Digic 6 -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 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 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4000 x 3000 4320 x 3240
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points - 23
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-500mm (20.0x) 24-480mm (20.0x)
Max aperture f/3.5-6.8 f/3.3-6.4
Macro focus range 5cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 461k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15 seconds 15 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/3200 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 4.0 frames per sec 10.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 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
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60, 30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30, 120 fps), 320 x 240 (240 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (220 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 233 gr (0.51 lbs) 206 gr (0.45 lbs)
Dimensions 106 x 63 x 33mm (4.2" x 2.5" x 1.3") 105 x 59 x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1")
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 210 photos 260 photos
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NB-6L -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots One One
Price at launch $284 $349