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Canon SX280 HS vs Panasonic ZS20

Portability
91 Imaging
36 Features
43 Overall
38
Canon PowerShot SX280 HS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 front
Portability
92 Imaging
37 Features
46 Overall
40

Canon SX280 HS vs Panasonic ZS20 Key Specs

Canon SX280 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
  • Revealed March 2013
  • Succeeded the Canon SX270 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
  • Introduced April 2012
  • Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-TZ30
  • Previous Model is Panasonic ZS15
  • Replacement is Panasonic ZS25
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Canon SX280 HS vs Panasonic ZS20 Overview

In this article, we will be reviewing the Canon SX280 HS vs Panasonic ZS20, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by companies Canon and Panasonic. The resolution of the SX280 HS (12MP) and the ZS20 (14MP) is relatively close and they possess the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The SX280 HS was launched 11 months after the ZS20 so they are of a similar generation. The two cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before delving straight into a thorough comparison, below is a quick view of how the SX280 HS grades vs the ZS20 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX280 HS over the Panasonic ZS20

					

					

						
 SX280 HS ZS20 
IntroducedMarch 2013April 2012Newer by 11 months
Manual focus  Dial precise focusing
Screen resolution461k460kCrisper screen (+1k dot)
					

				


				

					

						
Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS20 over the Canon SX280 HS

					

					

						
 ZS20 SX280 HS 
Touch friendly screen  Quickly navigate
					

				


				

					

						
Common features in the Canon SX280 HS and Panasonic ZS20

					

					

						
 SX280 HS ZS20 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen dimensions
Selfie screen  Lack of selfie screen
					

				

				

	
	
	
	

				

					

						
Canon SX280 HS vs Panasonic ZS20 Physical Comparison

					

					

						
In case you're planning to travel with your camera frequently, you will want to think about its weight and measurements. The Canon SX280 HS has exterior dimensions of 106mm x 63mm x 33mm (4.2" x 2.5" x 1.3") having a weight of 233 grams (0.51 lbs) while the Panasonic ZS20 has proportions of 105mm x 59mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 206 grams (0.45 lbs).
Look at the Canon SX280 HS vs Panasonic ZS20 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses
Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are working with at the time. Here is the front view over all size comparison of the SX280 HS vs the ZS20.
Canon SX280 HS vs Panasonic ZS20 size comparison
Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SX280 HS and ZS20 is 91 and 92 respectively.
Canon SX280 HS vs Panasonic ZS20 top view buttons comparison					

				


				

					

						
Canon SX280 HS vs Panasonic ZS20 Sensor Comparison

					

					

						
Quite often, its difficult to see the gap in sensor dimensions just by viewing specs. The pic here should give you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the SX280 HS and ZS20.
All in all, the 2 cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same resolution. You should count on the Panasonic ZS20 to provide you with more detail utilizing its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will help you crop pictures far more aggressively. The newer SX280 HS will have an edge in sensor technology.

						Canon SX280 HS vs Panasonic ZS20 sensor size comparison
					

				


				

					

						
Canon SX280 HS vs Panasonic ZS20 Screen and ViewFinder

					

					

											

					Canon SX280 HS vs Panasonic ZS20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison				


								Photography Glossary				

	
	
	
	

				

					
Photography Type Scores

					

				

				
Portrait Comparison
 Canon SX280 HS as a Portrait photography camera
 Panasonic ZS20 as a Portrait photography camera
34
 manual focus
 has face detect focus
 no external flash support
 low MP (12MP)
 sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
 doesn't have RAW files
30
 sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
 lack of manual focus
 no external flash support
 sensor  is very small (1/2.3")
 does not have RAW format
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Street Comparison
Canon SX280 HS Street photography factors
Panasonic ZS20 Street photography factors
61
 image stabilization (Optical)
 lighter than others (233 grams)
 screen does not articulate
 sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
 doesn't have RAW files
65
 image stabilization (Optical)
 has touch to focus
 lighter than others (206 grams)
 screen does not articulate
 sensor  is very small (1/2.3")
 does not have RAW format
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Sports Comparison
Canon SX280 HS Sports photography advice
Panasonic ZS20 Sports photography advice
36
 amazing zoom range (25-500mm  20.0 x zoom)
 image stabilization (Optical)
 has tracking focus
 very slow continuous shooting (4.0 frames/s)
 low MP (12MP)
 sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
 not so great battery life (210 per charge)
 doesn't have phase detect auto focus
47
 great zoom range (24-480mm  20.0 x zoom)
 image stabilization (Optical)
 sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
 includes tracking focus
 sensor  is very small (1/2.3")
 not so great battery power (260 per charge)
 does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison
Canon SX280 HS Travel photography features
Panasonic ZS20 Travel photography features
61
 lighter than others (233 grams)
 has built in flash
 really wide (25mm)
 long reach (500mm)
 missing Time Lapse function
 not so great battery life (210 shots)
 low MP (12 megapixels)
 does not have selfie friendly screen
 sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
68
 lighter than others (206g)
 has touch to focus
 sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
 has built in flash
 pretty wide (24mm)
 great reach (480mm)
 lack of Timelapse recording
 not so great battery power (260 CIPA)
 doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
 sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison
Canon SX280 HS Landscape photography information
Panasonic ZS20 Landscape photography information
41
 manual focus
 really wide (25mm)
 screen is a decent size (3 inches)
 image stabilization (Optical)
 lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
 sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
 low MP (12 megapixels)
 sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
 doesn't have RAW files
 not so great battery life (210 CIPA)
 missing Time Lapse function
42
 pretty wide (24mm)
 decent sized screen (3 inch)
 image stabilization (Optical)
 sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
 lack of manual focus
 fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
 sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
 sensor  is very small (1/2.3")
 does not have RAW format
 not so great battery power (260 CIPA)
 lack of Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison
Vlogging with Canon SX280 HS
Vlogging with Panasonic ZS20
34
 really wide (25mm)
 image stabilization (Optical)
 has face detect focus
 high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
 lighter than others (233 grams)
 sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
 does not have selfie friendly screen
 missing mic port
34
 pretty wide (24mm)
 touchscreen enabled
 image stabilization (Optical)
 good video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
 lighter than others (206g)
 sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
 doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
 lack of microphone socket
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Canon SX280 HS vs Panasonic ZS20 Specifications

					

					

											


					

						Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX280 HS and Panasonic ZS20
 Canon PowerShot SX280 HSPanasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20
General Information
Brand Canon Panasonic
Model type Canon PowerShot SX280 HS Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20
Also called - Lumix DMC-TZ30
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2013-03-21 2012-04-26
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Digic 6 -
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 surface area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti alias filter    
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and  16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and  16:9
Highest resolution 4000 x 3000 4320 x 3240
Highest native ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW files    
Autofocusing
Focus manually    
Touch focus    
Continuous autofocus    
Autofocus single    
Tracking autofocus    
Selective autofocus    
Center weighted autofocus    
Autofocus multi area    
Autofocus live view    
Face detection focus    
Contract detection focus    
Phase detection focus    
Total focus points - 23
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-500mm (20.0x) 24-480mm (20.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.5-6.8 f/3.3-6.4
Macro focusing distance 5cm 3cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 461k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly    
Liveview    
Touch capability    
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15s 15s
Highest shutter speed 1/3200s 1/2000s
Continuous shooting rate 4.0 frames per second 10.0 frames per second
Shutter priority    
Aperture priority    
Manually set exposure    
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance    
Image stabilization    
Built-in flash    
Flash distance 3.50 m 6.40 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
External flash    
AE bracketing    
White balance bracketing    
Exposure
Multisegment    
Average    
Spot    
Partial    
AF area    
Center weighted    
Video features
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)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone port    
Headphone port    
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth    
NFC    
HDMI    
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn BuiltIn
Physical
Environment sealing    
Water proofing    
Dust proofing    
Shock proofing    
Crush proofing    
Freeze proofing    
Weight 233 gr (0.51 pounds) 206 gr (0.45 pounds)
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 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 shots 260 shots
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NB-6L -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording    
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Pricing at launch $325 $349