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Canon SX420 IS vs Panasonic ZS5

Portability
80
Imaging
46
Features
34
Overall
41
Canon PowerShot SX420 IS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5 front
Portability
92
Imaging
35
Features
30
Overall
33

Canon SX420 IS vs Panasonic ZS5 Key Specs

Canon SX420 IS
(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
  • Revealed January 2016
Panasonic ZS5
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-300mm (F3.3-4.9) lens
  • 214g - 103 x 60 x 32mm
  • Announced June 2010
  • Also referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ8
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Canon SX420 IS vs Panasonic ZS5 Overview

Here, we will be reviewing the Canon SX420 IS versus Panasonic ZS5, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by manufacturers Canon and Panasonic. There exists a considerable gap among the sensor resolutions of the SX420 IS (20MP) and ZS5 (12MP) but both cameras posses the identical sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The SX420 IS was announced 5 years after the ZS5 which is a fairly large difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of the cameras feature different body design with the Canon SX420 IS being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Panasonic ZS5 being a Compact camera.

Before diving right into a complete comparison, here is a short summation of how the SX420 IS grades against the ZS5 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX420 IS over the Panasonic ZS5

 SX420 IS ZS5 
AnnouncedJanuary 2016June 2010More modern by 68 months
Focus manually Dial exact focus
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS5 over the Canon SX420 IS

 ZS5 SX420 IS 

Common features in the Canon SX420 IS and Panasonic ZS5

 SX420 IS ZS5 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kSame screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Lack of Touch friendly screen

Canon SX420 IS vs Panasonic ZS5 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is planning to carry around your camera regularly, you need to factor its weight and volume. The Canon SX420 IS has outer measurements of 104mm x 69mm x 85mm (4.1" x 2.7" x 3.3") accompanied by a weight of 325 grams (0.72 lbs) and the Panasonic ZS5 has sizing of 103mm x 60mm x 32mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") along with a weight of 214 grams (0.47 lbs).

Contrast the Canon SX420 IS versus Panasonic ZS5 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are using at that time. Following is a front view proportions comparison of the SX420 IS and the ZS5.

Canon SX420 IS vs Panasonic ZS5 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SX420 IS and ZS5 is 80 and 92 respectively.

Canon SX420 IS vs Panasonic ZS5 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX420 IS vs Panasonic ZS5 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it's difficult to picture the gap in sensor sizes simply by viewing a spec sheet. The picture here might provide you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the SX420 IS and ZS5.

As you can see, each of the cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit different megapixels. You can count on the Canon SX420 IS to provide you with extra detail with its extra 8MP. Higher resolution will allow you to crop shots way more aggressively. The more modern SX420 IS should have an edge with regard to sensor technology.

Canon SX420 IS vs Panasonic ZS5 sensor size comparison

Canon SX420 IS vs Panasonic ZS5 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX420 IS vs Panasonic ZS5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX420 IS Portrait photography advice
Panasonic ZS5 Portrait photography advice
44
focusing manually
MP count good (20MP)
includes face detection autofocus
no manual control
cannot use external flash
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
27
supports face detection autofocus
focusing manually not possible
no external flash support
low MP (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon SX420 IS Street photography information
Panasonic ZS5 Street photography information
52
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
61
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (214g)
screen does not articulate
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon SX420 IS
Sports photography with Panasonic ZS5
41
excellent zoom range (24-1008mm 42.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (20 megapixels)
very slow continuous shooting (0.5 fps)
no shutter priority mode
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
not so great battery power (195 shots)
lack of phase detect autofocus
31
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports tracking autofocus
maximum shutter speed is a little low (1/1,300 seconds)
continuous shooting slow (2.0 frames per second)
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX420 IS as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic ZS5 as a Travel photography camera
61
MP count good (20 megapixels)
has built in flash
relatively wide (24mm)
great reach (1008mm)
no Timelapse mode
not so great battery power (195 CIPA)
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
63
lighter than competition in class (214 grams)
has built in flash
decently wide (25mm)
long reach (300mm)
does not have Time Lapse function
low MP (12 megapixels)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX420 IS Landscape photography highlights
Panasonic ZS5 Landscape photography highlights
47
focusing manually
relatively wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (20 megapixels)
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
no manual control
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
not so great battery power (195 per charge)
no Timelapse mode
33
decently wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
small screen (2.7")
low MP (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
does not have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX420 IS Vlogging highlights
Panasonic ZS5 Vlogging highlights
29
relatively wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detection autofocus
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
display is not selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
no external microphone jack
31
decently wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detection autofocus
lighter than competition in class (214 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have external mic support
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Canon SX420 IS vs Panasonic ZS5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX420 IS and Panasonic ZS5
 Canon PowerShot SX420 ISPanasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5
General Information
Make Canon Panasonic
Model type Canon PowerShot SX420 IS Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5
Also called - Lumix DMC-TZ8
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2016-01-05 2010-06-16
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Chip DIGIC 4+ Venus Engine HD II
Sensor type CCD CCD
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 20 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 5152 x 3864 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 1600 6400
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points - 11
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-1008mm (42.0x) 25-300mm (12.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.5-6.6 f/3.3-4.9
Macro focusing distance 0cm 3cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of display 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15s 60s
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000s 1/1300s
Continuous shooting rate 0.5 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 5.00 m 5.30 m
Flash modes Auto, flash on, slow synchro, flash off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (25p), 640 x 480 (30p) 1280 x 720 (30fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic 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
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 325g (0.72 lbs) 214g (0.47 lbs)
Physical dimensions 104 x 69 x 85mm (4.1" x 2.7" x 3.3") 103 x 60 x 32mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3")
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 195 photos -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID NB-11LH -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Cost at launch $299 $300