Canon SX420 IS vs Panasonic ZS3
80 Imaging
45 Features
34 Overall
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91 Imaging
32 Features
30 Overall
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Canon SX420 IS vs Panasonic ZS3 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 1600
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 24-1008mm (F3.5-6.6) lens
- 325g - 104 x 69 x 85mm
- Released January 2016
(Full Review)
- 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 80 - 6400
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 25-300mm (F3.3-4.9) lens
- 229g - 103 x 60 x 33mm
- Revealed May 2009
- Additionally referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ7
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The following is a in-depth review of the Canon SX420 IS versus Panasonic ZS3, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by companies Canon and Panasonic. There exists a significant gap among the resolutions of the SX420 IS (20MP) and ZS3 (10MP) but they come with the exact same sensor sizes (1/2.3").
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD CardsThe SX420 IS was revealed 6 years after the ZS3 which is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both the cameras come with different body type with the Canon SX420 IS being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Panasonic ZS3 being a Compact camera.
Before delving in to a complete comparison, below is a quick overview of how the SX420 IS scores against the ZS3 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.
Photography Glossary Canon SX420 IS vs Panasonic ZS3 Gallery
Following is a sample of the gallery pics for Canon PowerShot SX420 IS and Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3. The full galleries are provided at Canon SX420 IS Gallery and Panasonic ZS3 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX420 IS over the Panasonic ZS3
| SX420 IS | ZS3 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revealed | January 2016 | May 2009 | Newer by 81 months | |
| Focus manually | More exact focus |
Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS3 over the Canon SX420 IS
| ZS3 | SX420 IS | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Display resolution | 460k | 230k | Clearer display (+230k dot) |
Common features in the Canon SX420 IS and Panasonic ZS3
| SX420 IS | ZS3 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Display type | Fixed | Fixed | Fixed display | |
| Display dimension | 3" | 3" | Identical display dimensions | |
| Selfie screen | Neither provides selfie screen | |||
| Touch friendly display | Neither provides Touch friendly display |
Canon SX420 IS vs Panasonic ZS3 Physical Comparison
If you're going to travel with your camera frequently, you'll have to factor in its weight and proportions. The Canon SX420 IS provides outer dimensions of 104mm x 69mm x 85mm (4.1" x 2.7" x 3.3") with a weight of 325 grams (0.72 lbs) while the Panasonic ZS3 has measurements of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") and a weight of 229 grams (0.50 lbs).
Take a look at the Canon SX420 IS versus Panasonic ZS3 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you use at that time. Here is the front view physical size comparison of the SX420 IS versus the ZS3.

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SX420 IS and ZS3 is 80 and 91 respectively.
Canon SX420 IS vs Panasonic ZS3 Sensor Comparison
Typically, it is very hard to see the difference in sensor dimensions just by researching a spec sheet. The pic below may offer you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the SX420 IS and ZS3.
As you can see, the two cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements but not the same MP. You should expect to see the Canon SX420 IS to provide you with extra detail because of its extra 10MP. Greater resolution will allow you to crop pics somewhat more aggressively. The more recent SX420 IS is going to have an edge with regard to sensor tech.
Canon SX420 IS vs Panasonic ZS3 Screen and ViewFinder
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Canon SX420 IS vs Panasonic ZS3 Specifications
| Canon PowerShot SX420 IS | Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Make | Canon | Panasonic |
| Model | Canon PowerShot SX420 IS | Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 |
| Also called | - | Lumix DMC-TZ7 |
| Category | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Superzoom |
| Released | 2016-01-05 | 2009-05-14 |
| Physical type | SLR-like (bridge) | Compact |
| 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 area | 28.1mm² | 27.7mm² |
| Sensor resolution | 20 megapixel | 10 megapixel |
| Anti aliasing filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
| Maximum resolution | 5152 x 3864 | 3648 x 2736 |
| Maximum native ISO | 1600 | 6400 |
| Minimum native ISO | 100 | 80 |
| RAW format | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Manual focus | ||
| Autofocus touch | ||
| Continuous autofocus | ||
| Single autofocus | ||
| Tracking autofocus | ||
| Selective autofocus | ||
| Center weighted autofocus | ||
| Autofocus multi area | ||
| Autofocus live view | ||
| Face detect focus | ||
| Contract detect focus | ||
| Phase detect focus | ||
| Number of focus points | - | 11 |
| Lens | ||
| Lens mounting type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
| Lens focal range | 24-1008mm (42.0x) | 25-300mm (12.0x) |
| Highest aperture | f/3.5-6.6 | f/3.3-4.9 |
| Macro focus distance | 0cm | 3cm |
| Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 5.9 |
| Screen | ||
| Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
| Display size | 3 inches | 3 inches |
| Display resolution | 230 thousand dots | 460 thousand dots |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch operation | ||
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder | None | None |
| Features | ||
| Lowest shutter speed | 15 seconds | 60 seconds |
| Highest shutter speed | 1/4000 seconds | 1/2000 seconds |
| Continuous shooting rate | 0.5fps | 2.0fps |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Expose Manually | ||
| Set white balance | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Inbuilt flash | ||
| Flash range | 5.00 m | 5.30 m (Auto ISO) |
| Flash settings | Auto, flash on, slow synchro, flash off | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync |
| Hot shoe | ||
| AEB | ||
| White balance bracketing | ||
| Exposure | ||
| Multisegment exposure | ||
| Average exposure | ||
| Spot exposure | ||
| Partial exposure | ||
| AF area exposure | ||
| Center weighted exposure | ||
| Video features | ||
| Video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (25p), 640 x 480 (30p) | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
| Maximum video resolution | 1280x720 | 1280x720 |
| Video file format | MPEG-4, H.264 | AVCHD Lite |
| Microphone support | ||
| Headphone support | ||
| 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 pounds) | 229 grams (0.50 pounds) |
| Dimensions | 104 x 69 x 85mm (4.1" x 2.7" x 3.3") | 103 x 60 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" 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 | 195 pictures | - |
| Battery style | Battery Pack | - |
| Battery model | NB-11LH | - |
| Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 secs) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
| Time lapse feature | ||
| Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal |
| Card slots | 1 | 1 |
| Cost at launch | $299 | $200 |