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Canon SX420 IS vs Panasonic FS12

Portability
80
Imaging
46
Features
34
Overall
41
Canon PowerShot SX420 IS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12 front
Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
14
Overall
26

Canon SX420 IS vs Panasonic FS12 Key Specs

Canon SX420 IS
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-1008mm (F3.5-6.6) lens
  • 325g - 104 x 69 x 85mm
  • Announced January 2016
Panasonic FS12
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600 (Boost to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 31-124mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 129g - 97 x 55 x 22mm
  • Launched April 2009
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Canon SX420 IS vs Panasonic FS12 Overview

In this article, we will be reviewing the Canon SX420 IS vs Panasonic FS12, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Ultracompact by brands Canon and Panasonic. There is a crucial difference among the image resolutions of the SX420 IS (20MP) and FS12 (12MP) but they come with the same exact sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The SX420 IS was announced 6 years later than the FS12 and that is a fairly serious gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of these cameras offer different body type with the Canon SX420 IS being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Panasonic FS12 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before diving through a thorough comparison, below is a quick highlight of how the SX420 IS grades against the FS12 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX420 IS over the Panasonic FS12

 SX420 IS FS12 
LaunchedJanuary 2016April 2009Fresher by 82 months
Focus manually Very exact focus
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")

Reasons to pick Panasonic FS12 over the Canon SX420 IS

 FS12 SX420 IS 

Common features in the Canon SX420 IS and Panasonic FS12

 SX420 IS FS12 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kIdentical screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Lack of Touch friendly screen

Canon SX420 IS vs Panasonic FS12 Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to carry your camera, you have to factor its weight and proportions. The Canon SX420 IS comes with outer dimensions of 104mm x 69mm x 85mm (4.1" x 2.7" x 3.3") having a weight of 325 grams (0.72 lbs) and the Panasonic FS12 has measurements of 97mm x 55mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.9") with a weight of 129 grams (0.28 lbs).

Compare the Canon SX420 IS vs Panasonic FS12 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you have at that moment. Below is the front view physical size comparison of the SX420 IS against the FS12.

Canon SX420 IS vs Panasonic FS12 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the SX420 IS and FS12 is 80 and 95 respectively.

Canon SX420 IS vs Panasonic FS12 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX420 IS vs Panasonic FS12 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it can be hard to envision the difference in sensor sizing merely by seeing a spec sheet. The visual below may offer you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the SX420 IS and FS12.

As you can see, each of these cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same resolution. You should expect the Canon SX420 IS to provide greater detail with its extra 8MP. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop photographs far more aggressively. The more modern SX420 IS will have an advantage in sensor innovation.

Canon SX420 IS vs Panasonic FS12 sensor size comparison

Canon SX420 IS vs Panasonic FS12 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX420 IS vs Panasonic FS12 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX420 IS Portrait photography features
Panasonic FS12 Portrait photography features
44
focusing manually
MP count decent (20 megapixels)
includes face detection autofocus
no manual control
no external flash support
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
21
no manual focus
manual mode not possible
cannot use external flash
low resolution sensor (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon SX420 IS Street photography features
Panasonic FS12 Street photography features
52
image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
57
image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX420 IS as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic FS12 as a Sports photography camera
41
incredible zoom range (24-1008mm 42.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (20MP)
very slow continuous shooting (0.5 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
sensor is small (1/2.3")
bad battery pack (195 per charge)
lack of phase detect autofocus
25
image stabilization (Optical)
slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
low resolution sensor (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX420 IS Travel photography details
Panasonic FS12 Travel photography details
61
MP count decent (20 megapixels)
has built in flash
really wide (24mm)
great zoom (1008mm)
lack of Time Lapse function
bad battery pack (195 per charge)
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
51
built-in flash
no Timelapse recording
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
wide angle not good (31mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon SX420 IS
Landscape photography with Panasonic FS12
47
focusing manually
really wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (20MP)
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
no manual control
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
bad battery pack (195 shots)
lack of Time Lapse function
28
image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (31mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
manual mode not possible
low resolution sensor (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
no Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX420 IS as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic FS12 as a Vlogging camera
29
really wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detection autofocus
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of external mic support
25
image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not good (31mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
video res low (640 x 480 pixels)
no external microphone socket
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Canon SX420 IS vs Panasonic FS12 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX420 IS and Panasonic FS12
 Canon PowerShot SX420 ISPanasonic Lumix DMC-FS12
General Information
Brand Name Canon Panasonic
Model Canon PowerShot SX420 IS Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Ultracompact
Announced 2016-01-05 2009-04-17
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Chip DIGIC 4+ -
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 20 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 5152 x 3864 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 1600 1600
Maximum enhanced ISO - 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-1008mm (42.0x) 31-124mm (4.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.5-6.6 f/2.8-5.9
Macro focus range 0cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inches 2.7 inches
Screen resolution 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 15 secs 60 secs
Max shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 0.5 frames per second 2.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 5.00 m 6.30 m
Flash options Auto, flash on, slow synchro, flash off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (25p), 640 x 480 (30p) 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 640x480
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
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 None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 325 grams (0.72 lb) 129 grams (0.28 lb)
Dimensions 104 x 69 x 85mm (4.1" x 2.7" x 3.3") 97 x 55 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 195 images -
Battery type Battery Pack -
Battery model NB-11LH -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC card, Internal
Card slots One One
Launch cost $299 $228