Canon SX500 IS vs Panasonic FH20
80 Imaging
39 Features
40 Overall
39


93 Imaging
36 Features
21 Overall
30
Canon SX500 IS vs Panasonic FH20 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 1600
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 24-720mm (F3.4-5.8) lens
- 341g - 104 x 70 x 80mm
- Revealed August 2012
- Refreshed by Canon SX510 HS
(Full Review)
- 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Display
- ISO 80 - 6400
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 28-224mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
- 178g - 100 x 56 x 28mm
- Introduced January 2010
- Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-FS30

Canon SX500 IS vs Panasonic FH20 Overview
Let's look a little more in depth at the Canon SX500 IS versus Panasonic FH20, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by competitors Canon and Panasonic. The image resolution of the SX500 IS (16MP) and the FH20 (14MP) is fairly comparable and both cameras boast the same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

The SX500 IS was revealed 2 years after the FH20 which is a fairly significant gap as far as camera technology is concerned. The two cameras have the same body design (Compact).
Before we go right into a in depth comparison, here is a simple synopsis of how the SX500 IS grades against the FH20 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Canon SX500 IS vs Panasonic FH20 Gallery
Following is a sample of the gallery pictures for Canon PowerShot SX500 IS and Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH20. The full galleries are available at Canon SX500 IS Gallery and Panasonic FH20 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX500 IS over the Panasonic FH20
SX500 IS | FH20 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | August 2012 | ![]() | January 2010 | More modern by 32 months |
Manually focus | ![]() | More exact focus | ||
Display dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Larger display (+0.3") |
Display resolution | 461k | ![]() | 230k | Crisper display (+231k dot) |
Reasons to pick Panasonic FH20 over the Canon SX500 IS
FH20 | SX500 IS |
---|
Common features in the Canon SX500 IS and Panasonic FH20
SX500 IS | FH20 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Selfie screen | ![]() | No selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Neither includes Touch friendly display |
Canon SX500 IS vs Panasonic FH20 Physical Comparison
For those who are planning to carry around your camera, you need to consider its weight and volume. The Canon SX500 IS features outside measurements of 104mm x 70mm x 80mm (4.1" x 2.8" x 3.1") and a weight of 341 grams (0.75 lbs) and the Panasonic FH20 has sizing of 100mm x 56mm x 28mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.1") with a weight of 178 grams (0.39 lbs).
Check the Canon SX500 IS versus Panasonic FH20 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you have attached at that time. Here is a front view scale comparison of the SX500 IS versus the FH20.

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SX500 IS and FH20 is 80 and 93 respectively.

Canon SX500 IS vs Panasonic FH20 Sensor Comparison
Typically, it's hard to visualize the difference in sensor sizes only by checking out a spec sheet. The pic here may give you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the SX500 IS and FH20.
Clearly, the two cameras have the same sensor dimensions but different MP. You should anticipate the Canon SX500 IS to show extra detail because of its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop photos a bit more aggressively. The fresher SX500 IS should have an edge when it comes to sensor tech.

Canon SX500 IS vs Panasonic FH20 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX500 IS vs Panasonic FH20 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SX500 IS | Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH20 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Canon | Panasonic |
Model type | Canon PowerShot SX500 IS | Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH20 |
Alternative name | - | Lumix DMC-FS30 |
Type | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Compact |
Revealed | 2012-08-21 | 2010-01-06 |
Physical type | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | Digic 4 | - |
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 area | 28.1mm² | 27.7mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16 megapixel | 14 megapixel |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Highest Possible resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4320 x 3240 |
Maximum native ISO | 1600 | 6400 |
Minimum native ISO | 80 | 80 |
RAW data | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Touch to focus | ||
Continuous AF | ||
Single AF | ||
AF tracking | ||
Selective AF | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
AF multi area | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detection focusing | ||
Contract detection focusing | ||
Phase detection focusing | ||
Total focus points | 1 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 24-720mm (30.0x) | 28-224mm (8.0x) |
Largest aperture | f/3.4-5.8 | f/3.3-5.9 |
Macro focusing range | 1cm | 5cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen sizing | 3 inch | 2.7 inch |
Screen resolution | 461k dots | 230k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch display | ||
Screen technology | TFT Color LCD | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 15s | 60s |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/1600s | 1/1600s |
Continuous shutter rate | 1.0 frames/s | 5.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Change WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash distance | 5.00 m | 5.80 m (Auto ISO) |
Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro |
External flash | ||
AEB | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Fastest flash synchronize | 1/1600s | - |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (25 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) | 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 data format | H.264 | Motion JPEG |
Mic port | ||
Headphone port | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Eye-Fi Connected | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 341 gr (0.75 lbs) | 178 gr (0.39 lbs) |
Physical dimensions | 104 x 70 x 80mm (4.1" x 2.8" x 3.1") | 100 x 56 x 28mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.1") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall 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 images | - |
Battery type | Battery Pack | - |
Battery ID | NB-6L | - |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Storage type | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal |
Card slots | 1 | 1 |
Launch cost | $299 | $179 |