Canon SX50 HS vs Panasonic ZS70: An Expert Comparison of Two Small Sensor Superzooms

I’ve spent years testing compact superzoom cameras of all stripes, from newcomers to obvious classics, and two names you often see compared are the Canon PowerShot SX50 HS and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS70 (also known as TZ90 in some markets). Both sit in the prized small sensor superzoom niche favored by travel, wildlife, and general enthusiast shooters who crave bridge-style cameras with long reach and a versatile all-in-one feel.

This detailed side-by-side comparison digs beneath the spec sheets, into the real-world performance and ergonomics I encountered in hands-on testing of both models over months of real shooting. If you’re weighing these two cameras, whether upgrading from an older model or hunting for a powerful yet pocketable travel companion, you’ll find practical insight here grounded in extensive field use and lab-style evaluation. Let’s dive in.

First Impressions: Size, Design, and Handling

Right off the bat, you can see these two cameras couldn’t be more different when it comes to physical size and handling. The Canon SX50 HS inherits a classic bulky SLR-like bridge camera body with its hefty 595g mass and robust dimensions of 123x87x106 mm. Designed for a firm grip and solid balance when zoomed to that amazing 50x focal length, it’s a camera you feel confident hefting around on long shoots, though it demands a dedicated space in your bag.

On the other hand, Panasonic ZS70 is much more compact and streamlined at just 322g and 112x67x41 mm. It feels more like a true travel superzoom that can slip into larger jacket pockets or smaller bags - much better for street, casual wildlife, or everyday shooting where discretion and portability matter.

Ergonomically, the Canon feels more traditional with a sizable handgrip and dedicated dials for direct access to shutter speed and aperture adjustments, while the ZS70 employs a minimalistic approach capitalizing on its touchscreen interface and fewer physical controls. That touchscreen is also fully functional, adding a very modern touch absent on Canon’s screen, which is smaller and non-touch, though it does articulate fully - useful for awkward-angle shooting.

Bottom line on size and handling: If you prefer a more classic, tactile experience and don’t mind a chunkier camera, Canon wins here. But for the nimble traveler or street shooter, Panasonic’s lightweight design and touchscreen give it a significant edge.

Viewing and Composition: Screens and Viewfinders

Looking from above, the Canon opts for a larger array of physical buttons and dials, giving palpable confidence for quick adjustments without digging through menus. The Panasonic keeps it minimal, relying on a touchscreen that adds speed but can slow down tactile shooters preferring knobs.

On the rear, the Canon’s 2.8-inch fully articulated screen comes in at 461k dots resolution - adequate but rather quaint for 2013 standards. In contrast, the ZS70 sports a 3-inch tilting touchscreen with a crisp 1040k dots, doubling the resolution and offering direct touch focus and exposure control. This makes framing and reviewing shots under bright conditions much easier.

The electronic viewfinders (EVFs) are telling, too. Canon’s EVF clocks in at a mere 202k dots resolution - noticeably pixelated in use, and frustrating when you need precision focus or manual exposure adjustments. Panasonic’s EVF shines here with 1.16 million dots resolution and 100% coverage, closer to what I’d expect on a mid-level mirrorless camera. The magnification factor of 0.46x on Panasonic also aids with steadier framing.

For natural-light shooting or street contexts where the rear LCD is the main tool, Panasonic’s touchscreen is king. For more deliberate composition requiring a viewfinder, Panasonic again offers a more comfortable experience.

Sensor and Image Quality: Size, Resolution, and Processing

Both cameras deploy a 1/2.3-inch BSI-CMOS sensor measuring 6.17x4.55 mm (28.07 mm²), a tiny sensor by any standard, limiting noise performance and dynamic range compared to larger APS-C or full-frame rivals. However, this sensor size is standard for superzooms in this price and zoom range.

The Canon SX50 HS features a 12MP resolution, which, combined with its older DIGIC 5 processor, produces nicely detailed JPEGs but lacks the refining power and noise control found in later generations. On the other hand, Panasonic’s ZS70 ups the ante with a 20MP sensor and its Venus Engine processor offering better detail and improved low-light abilities - all while maintaining manageable noise up to ISO 3200, native, and 6400 boosted.

However, keep in mind that pushing the ZS70 sensor to 20MP with such a small physical sensor size brings its own challenges - namely, increased noise and somewhat aggressive noise reduction at higher ISOs that can smudge fine textures.

Regarding dynamic range, Canon edges slightly ahead, benefiting from a more modest pixel count, resulting in cleaner shadow recovery in daylight landscapes during RAW processing. But Panasonic’s newer processing engine compensates with smoother tonal transitions and generally punchier colors straight from the camera. Having raw support on both cameras means you can coax the most out of shadows and highlights with dedicated software at post-processing time.

In practical terms:

• Portraits and general travel images: Panasonic’s higher resolution brings crisper images with better detail rendition, especially facial features.
• Landscapes: Canon’s marginally better dynamic range helps scenes with high contrast skies and shadow detail.
• Low light: Panasonic wins with cleaner ISO 800 to 1600 shots, but neither excels deep into very high ISO territory.

Zoom Range and Lens Performance

A key consideration in this class is how much zoom reach you actually get.

Canon SX50 HS offers an astonishing 50x optical zoom range translating to 24-1200 mm (35mm equivalent). This is ideal for birders, wildlife shooters, or anyone needing extreme reach without carrying long lenses. The maximum aperture ranges from f/3.4 at wide-angle to f/6.5 at full zoom, fairly standard but tends to limit low-light telephoto usability.

Panasonic ZS70 features a 30x zoom from 24 to 720 mm with an aperture of f/3.3-6.4 - modestly faster wide end, a hair better at the extreme telephoto. While not nearly as long as Canon’s “monster zoom,” Panasonic’s optics are newer, showing improved sharpness, less chromatic aberration, and less distortion at wide angles in my testing.

So the choice comes down to:

• Needing extreme 50x reach? Canon is unmatched here but with less sharpness at full zoom.
• Want better optical quality and slightly wider maximum aperture at tele end? Panasonic ZS70 is a sweeter all-rounder zoom lens though limited to 30x.

Neither camera has interchangeable lenses, so you’re locked into these zoom ranges.

Autofocus: Speed, Accuracy, and Tracking in Action

Autofocus is another critical aspect where these two diverge noticeably.

Canon’s SX50 HS utilizes nine contrast-detection AF points. It’s adequate for static subjects and daylight conditions but noticeably slower and less reliable in tracking moving subjects or low contrast environments. Continuous AF is supported at a slow 2fps burst rate, which can frustrate sports or wildlife shooters who need rapid focus acquisition.

The Panasonic ZS70 is a generation or two newer and steps up with 49 contrast-detection AF points, a touchscreen for touch-to-focus, face detection, and continuous tracking functioning at a much livelier 10fps burst mode. It also supports focus bracketing, focus stacking, and post-focus features for macro and creative shooting. In real-world terms, Panasonic’s AF feels more confident, quicker, and more accurate across diverse scenarios, from children’s sports to quick street candid moments.

Both cameras lack phase-detection AF, a limitation inherited from sensor size and class; however, Panasonic’s software algorithms and sensor improvements carry it ahead decisively.

Continuous Shooting and Buffer

Sports and action photographers will appreciate the importance of burst shooting.

Canon’s SX50 HS manages a sluggish 2 frames per second maximum and limited buffer depth, which is frustrating when trying to capture fast movement. The small buffer and slow writing speed hold you back during rapid shooting.

Panasonic ZS70 offers a much better 10fps continuous mode, enabling you to freeze action sequences more reliably, especially coupled with better autofocus tracking. It’s no pro sports camera, but far more suited to casual or enthusiast sports shooting.

Video Capabilities: Which Superzoom Excels?

Video recording has become increasingly indispensable, so let’s see the offerings:

• Canon SX50 HS: Limited to Full HD 1080p at 24fps, no 4K options, and basic H.264 codec. No microphone or headphone jacks; audio quality is adequate but nothing special. The absence of electronic stabilization and limited manual control during video production reflects its aging design.

• Panasonic ZS70: Offers 4K UHD at 30p plus Full HD at up to 60p. This is a huge advantage for crispness and freedom to crop or pull 8MP stills (the handy “4K photo” feature). Panasonic also includes built-in optical stabilization, smooth focus transition in video, and some manual exposure controls. While lacking external mic input, the audio quality is reasonable for casual use.

In the video domain, Panasonic clearly pulls ahead for anyone including video in their workflow or wanting to capture fast action with greater resolution.

Portrait and Macro Photography: Handling Skin Tones, Bokeh, and Close Focus

For portraits, both cameras offer face detection autofocus, aiding in locking focus on eyes and faces, though neither supports modern eye-detection tracking or animal eye AF. Panasonic’s higher resolution sensor yields greater detail in skin textures, while Canon’s slightly better color depth renders skin tones with a sunnier warmth. However, the small sensors of both limit true bokeh quality - the out-of-focus areas tend to be busy or noisy due to small aperture and sensor size.

On macro photography: Panasonic leads with a minimum focusing distance of 3 cm and the addition of focus stacking and bracketing, enabling you to push creative boundaries. Canon’s focus range starts at 0 cm (according to specs), but actual macro use is limited by its slower AF and less advanced features.

Weather Sealing and Build Reliability

Neither camera features environmental sealing to any significant degree. Both lack waterproof, dustproof, shockproof, crushproof, or freezeproof certifications and should be treated as gentle companions rather than rugged tools.

Build quality on the Canon SX50 HS is robust, with more traditional, stiff construction giving the feeling of a camera designed for longevity, but its older design shows wear on buttons over time.

Panasonic ZS70, while lighter and more plastic-heavy, feels solid, with modern hinge mechanisms on the tilting touchscreen and reliable button feedback.

Connectivity and Storage

Panasonic includes built-in wireless connectivity for image transfer and remote control - something Canon skips completely. With zero Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or NFC on the Canon SX50 HS, you’re left to transferring files manually over USB 2.0 or via SD card.

Both cameras use SD/SDHC/SDXC cards, with a single card slot. Battery life slightly favors Panasonic’s model (380 shots vs 315), which may matter if you’re trekking or shooting long sessions outdoors without spares.

Image Samples: Real-World Output Quality

Canon SX50 HS front Canon SX50 HS screen back Panasonic ZS70 front

Looking at gallery samples from both cameras, notice immediately Panasonic’s finer detail and more vibrant colors owing to the higher resolution sensor and newer image processing tech. Canon’s images are softer, and high ISO noise is more intrusive, though its color rendition and dynamic range are more natural.

At telephoto, Canon’s 50x zoom capability is a marvel - subjects not visible through Panasonic’s 30x lens are clearly grabbed, though with some softness. Panasonic’s images maintain better sharpness and less chromatic aberration at max zoom but reach only two-thirds of Canon’s reach.

Performance Scores

By overall performance metrics (DxOMark and in-lab testing), Canon scores a 47 overall due largely to sensor limitations, while Panasonic lacks an official DxOMark result but outperforms Canon in low-light and image quality metrics, especially in resolution and autofocus.

Specialized Photography Type Ratings

• Portrait: Panasonic preferred for detail, skin texture, and autofocus speed.
• Landscape: Canon slightly better for dynamic range and color fidelity, but Panasonic’s resolution wins overall.
• Wildlife: Canon for zoom range; Panasonic for AF tracking and speed.
• Sports: Panasonic dominates with higher fps and better continuous AF.
• Street: Panasonic preferred for portability, discretion, and quieter operation.
• Macro: Panasonic for close focus abilities and focus stacking.
• Night/Astro: Panasonic benefits from 4K timelapse and cleaner high ISO.
• Video: Panasonic vastly superior due to 4K, higher frame rates, and better stabilization.
• Travel: Panasonic’s size, battery life, and connectivity give it the edge.
• Professional: Neither truly professional-grade, but Panasonic’s features and image quality make it more useful in professional casual or backup roles.

Who Should Buy Which?

Choose the Canon SX50 HS if:

• You demand the longest possible zoom (50x) for distant wildlife or detailed telephoto shooting.
• You prefer a traditional, large bridge camera with physical dials and a heftier grip.
• You shoot primarily in good daylight and find value in accurate color and decent dynamic range over resolution.
• You prioritize tactile manual controls over touchscreen responsiveness.
• You do not require advanced video features or wireless connectivity.

Choose the Panasonic ZS70 if:

• You want a compact, lightweight camera with a vibrant, high-resolution 20MP sensor.
• You prioritize fast and accurate autofocus with many points and continuous tracking.
• You will use video in 4K and want advanced video features.
• You plan to shoot macro often and appreciate focus bracketing and stacking.
• You want a tilting touchscreen with touch AF and wireless image transfer.
• Battery life and portability are significant concerns.
• You desire a zoom lens with excellent optical quality (albeit shorter reach).

Final Thoughts

As someone with personal experience pushing both these cameras through the paces, I find the Panasonic ZS70 to be a more versatile and modern offering. It encapsulates the best qualities of compact superzooms in 2017, blending respectable zoom reach with advanced autofocus, better image quality, and pro features such as 4K video and focus stacking not present on the older Canon.

That said, Canon’s SX50 HS remains a remarkable camera for what it was built to do - delivering an unparalleled zoom length in a simple package optimized for daylight wildlife and nature photography. Its more substantial build and classic controls may still appeal to users familiar with older bridge cameras.

My personal recommendation? If you’re mostly shooting travel, street, portraits, and videos, Panasonic ZS70 is the clear all-around choice. If your primary concern is the longest telephoto reach and classic handling, Canon SX50 HS has a nostalgic charm and reach you can’t beat.

Hopefully this in-depth comparison helps you pick the right tool for your photographic journey.

Happy shooting!