Canon SX70 HS vs Panasonic ZS20: A Hands-On Superzoom Showdown for Every Photographer

When comparing superzoom cameras, it’s easy to get lost in specs without understanding how those numbers translate to everyday photography. Having thoroughly tested both the Canon PowerShot SX70 HS and the Panasonic Lumix ZS20 over many shooting scenarios - ranging from landscapes to wildlife - I’m excited to share an in-depth comparison that goes beyond the specs sheet. I want to help you discover which model truly suits your creative ambitions and shooting style.

Both cameras cater to enthusiasts aiming for an all-in-one, versatile solution, yet crucial differences arise from their designs, imaging technologies, and feature sets. So, let me walk you through my findings gathered from dozens of hours behind the lens, so you can make an informed choice.

First Impressions: Ergonomics and Handling in Real Life

Before grabbing the first shot, how a camera feels in your hands shapes your entire shooting experience. Comfort, control layout, and portability matter more than one might expect.

The Canon SX70 HS strikes me immediately as a robust, bridge-style camera with a substantial grip, making it feel secure even during extended handheld shooting. Its larger size (127x91x117 mm) and higher weight (608g) confer a serious, professional vibe. It feels like something you can trust for demanding outings, especially when paired with long focal lengths.

In contrast, the Panasonic ZS20 is noticeably compact and lightweight (105x59x28 mm, 206g), making it fantastic for travelers or street shooters who prize discretion and ease of carry. Its pocketability is a major plus, despite the trade-off of smaller physical controls, which sometimes can slow down operation compared to the SX70 HS.

Looking at the control arrangement, Canon's SX70 HS offers more tactile dials and buttons - perfect for quick adjustments without relying heavily on menus. Panasonic’s ZS20 opts for a more minimalistic approach, with fewer dedicated controls but a touchscreen to help compensate, which feels intuitive once you get accustomed, though it’s fixed and not articulated.

If your shooting style depends on rapid manual changes or you shoot handheld for hours, the SX70 HS generally wins for ergonomics. However, for on-the-go casual shutterbugs, the ZS20’s pocket-friendly build is a compelling advantage.

Sensor Size and Image Quality: The Core of Every Picture

Both cameras sport the ubiquitous 1/2.3" sensor size typical to superzooms, but the Canon edges it slightly in sensor area and resolution.

• Canon SX70 HS: 20MP 1/2.3" BSI-CMOS sensor with DIGIC 8 processor
• Panasonic ZS20: 14MP 1/2.3" CMOS sensor without latest processing

The Canon’s backside illuminated (BSI) sensor, combined with its DIGIC 8 processor, delivers superior noise handling and more refined detail retrieval. This combination is invaluable, particularly when capturing landscapes or shooting in varied lighting. The ZS20’s sensor, while competent and capable of delivering clean results in optimal light, tends to struggle earlier with ISO noise and dynamic range limitations.

During my real-world testing, landscapes and cityscapes captured with the SX70 HS showed more vibrant colors, better shadow detail, and the flexibility to work with RAW files (a big bonus for post-processing). The ZS20 lacks RAW support, which limits creative flexibility - especially for photographers who like to tweak exposure or colors after capture.

For pixel peepers or anyone investing serious effort into image quality, the SX70 HS is unquestionably the better tool. But for simple point-and-shoot users, the Panasonic's JPGs can still impress.

Flexibility in Zoom: Reach That Matches Your Vision

Superzooms’ bread and butter is focal range, and here differences become quite dramatic.

• Canon SX70 HS: 21-1365mm (65x zoom)
• Panasonic ZS20: 24-480mm (20x zoom)

The Canon SX70 HS takes versatility to a whole new level with an ultra-telephoto 1365mm equivalent end. This enables me to capture distant wildlife or sports action without lugging heavy lenses. Although the max aperture narrows to f/6.5 at full zoom, the optical image stabilization helps maintain sharpness - more on that shortly.

The Panasonic ZS20’s 480mm reach is respectable and well-suited for casual telephoto needs but falls short for serious telephoto work. This shorter range often means the camera’s versatility shines in street, travel, and everyday photography rather than specialized wildlife or sports.

If you prioritize extreme reach and don’t mind a larger camera, the Canon’s massive zoom is a decisive advantage. For lightweight travel or street photography, ZS20’s more modest zoom is a fair compromise.

Display and Viewfinder: Composing Your Shots With Confidence

Both the LCD screen and viewfinder greatly affect shooting comfort and accuracy.

The Canon SX70 HS includes a 3” fully articulated screen with 922K dot resolution, giving me flexible angles for shooting at waist or overhead, something invaluable for macro or street photography. This flexibility feels like a major step up from the ZS20’s fixed 3” LCD, which is also lower resolution at 460K dots. The ZS20’s touchscreen facilitates quick navigation, a helpful feature for those less familiar with handling controls.

Additionally, the SX70 HS sports a high-resolution electronic viewfinder (EVF) with 2.36M dots and full 100% coverage. This EVF provides a bright, sharp framing preview ideal for bright daylight conditions, an aspect I missed glaringly on the ZS20, which lacks any EVF. This absence often forced me to rely solely on the screen, causing difficulties in sunny outdoor shoots.

For photographers accustomed to SLR-like shooting or those in challenging light, the Canon’s articulated screen plus EVF combo is a clear win. Casual users comfortable composing via screen or with touchscreen input might prefer the simplicity of the ZS20 setup.

Autofocus and Burst Shooting: Capturing the Moment

Speed and accuracy define successful shooting for wildlife, sports, or any action-packed scenarios.

• Both cameras offer 10fps continuous shooting - a strong performance for bridge cameras in their era.
• Canon SX70 HS features 9 focus points with face detection and continuous AF, enhancing tracking.
• Panasonic ZS20 provides 23 contrast-detection points but lacks face detection and continuous AF in single-shot mode.

In my experience, the Canon SX70 HS’s autofocus system proved faster and more reliable, especially in tracking moving subjects. For example, during a local birdwatching trip, it continuously kept feathers razor-sharp even when swifts zipped erratically. Conversely, the ZS20 sometimes struggled to maintain focus on erratic wildlife or engaging sports, requiring more patience.

The face detection on the Canon is a boon for portrait or event photographers, helping achieve tack-sharp eyes without fuss.

If action is your priority, Canon’s autofocus system offers more precision and confidence. The Panasonic can handle casual motion well but may frustrate in fast-paced conditions.

Portraits and Bokeh: Rendering Skin Tones and Backgrounds

The subtlety in how a camera renders skin tones and bokeh quality can transform portraits from snapshots into stunning art.

With the Canon SX70 HS shooting wide open at F3.4 on the short end and an impressively smooth background blur with its 65x zoom, I found the portraits rendered with skin tones that were natural and flattering. The camera’s Digic 8 engine handles color processing with vibrancy but avoiding oversaturation.

The Panasonic ZS20’s lens max aperture of F3.3 on the wide end supports decent subject isolation, with decent bokeh quality in close-up shots. However, the smaller sensor and fewer megapixels showed less detail in skin and softer tonal gradations. Its lack of face detection also impacted focusing precision adversely compared to Canon.

In controlled studio rooms or casual portraits, both can deliver respectable images, but the Canon’s combination of processing, sensor resolution, and autofocus finesse gives it an edge for serious portraiture demands.

Landscape Photography: Detail, Dynamic Range, and Build Durability

As an avid landscape photographer, I gauge cameras on their ability to capture expansive dynamic range, subtle tonal shifts, and handle weather conditions.

Neither of these cameras is weather sealed, so protecting them in tricky conditions is wise. The Canon’s larger build, however, feels more durable and confidence-inspiring in the field.

The Canon’s higher resolution sensor (20MP) captures more fine detail, critical in landscapes. Its sensor size and newer processor also deliver better dynamic range, helping preserve highlights in bright skies and maintaining shadow details in forests or mountains.

The Panasonic ZS20’s 14MP sensor renders landscapes well but shinier highlights occasionally clip, and shadow details flatten. The absence of RAW support limits post-processing rescue options, deterring landscape photographers who demand flexibility.

If you camp, hike, or explore intensely, the Canon SX70 HS better suits detailed and flexible landscape work paired with mindful protection.

Wildlife and Sports: Telephoto Performance Under Pressure

Here, enormous zoom and autofocus speed define success.

The Canon’s 65x zoom and advanced AF system excelled in tracking wildlife or sports during my tests. Burst shooting at 10fps works well, and optical image stabilization (OIS) compensates for shake at extreme focal lengths.

The Panasonic ZS20’s 20x zoom and slower AF made it more challenging to get crisp wildlife portraits or fast-action sequences. OIS helps, but long-distance sharpness and tracking lag can bite.

For serious wildlife or sports photographers on a budget, the Canon SX70 HS offers a clear advantage.

Street and Travel Photography: Discreetness and Portability

If subtlety and convenience top your wishlist, the ZS20’s compact body and quiet operation are appealing. Its fixed, small lens and pocketable size enable spontaneous street shooting without drawing attention.

The SX70 HS, being larger and more rugged, is bulkier for city strolls or travels where light packing is key. The articulated screen and EVF are helpful but add size.

Battery life favors Canon slightly (325 shots vs. Panasonic’s 260), supporting longer shooting days without swapping batteries.

For casual tourists or street photographers valuing stealth and mobility, the ZS20 makes sense. For those favoring flexibility and image control over size, Canon still stands tall.

Close-Ups and Macro: Getting Up Close With Confidence

Macro capabilities can be essential for nature enthusiasts or creative shooters.

The Panasonic ZS20 has a close macro focusing distance of 3cm, better suited for extreme close-ups, while the Canon SX70 HS has no official macro mode or extremely close focusing distance.

In practice, the Panasonic’s macro performance shines for flower photography or detail shots, aided by its touchscreen focusing. However, the lower resolution sensor limits detail compared to Canon’s overall image quality.

If macro photography occupies a meaningful part of your work, the ZS20 holds an edge in ease for close focusing though with less pixel crunching.

Low Light and Night/Astro Photography

Shooting in dim conditions quickly reveals sensor and image stabilization prowess.

Thanks to the Canon’s BSI sensor and DIGIC 8 engine, it maintains superior clarity at ISO 800-1600, with less noise and color degradation than the Panasonic, which becomes noisy above ISO 400. The SX70 HS’s optical stabilization aids handholding at slower shutter speeds - a critical benefit for handheld night photography.

Starry skies captured on the Canon showed more detail and less noise after long exposures. Panasonic’s lack of RAW and weaker noise control limit post-processing outcomes for starry scenes.

For aspiring astrophotographers or night shooters, Canon’s technological advantage is substantial.

Video Capabilities: More Than Just Stills

Video matters for many hybrid shooters and creatives.

The Canon SX70 HS records 4K UHD video at 30p with a solid 120 Mbps bitrate using H.264 codec. It also includes a microphone input, which is invaluable for capturing quality audio in interviews or narrative film projects.

The Panasonic ZS20 maxes out at 1080p at 60p and lacks a microphone jack, limiting audio options. It relies on AVCHD and MPEG-4 formats, which while solid for casual use, fall behind Canon’s smoother 4K.

In-camera stabilization on both helps smooth handheld footage, but Canon’s extended zoom range and higher-quality video make it a superior choice for multimedia creators.

Workflow and Connectivity: Staying Efficient from Capture to Share

The ability to move images quickly to compatible devices matters greatly in today’s connected world.

The Canon SX70 HS benefits from built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, making wireless image transfer and remote control straightforward with dedicated apps. USB 2.0 and HDMI connectivity round out a versatile package.

Panasonic’s ZS20 has no wireless features and also supports USB 2.0 and HDMI. It does include built-in GPS to geotag images - a nice addition missing from the Canon.

For photographers who share or upload content regularly on the go, Canon’s wireless connectivity wins. However, Panasonic’s GPS is helpful for travelers logging locations automatically.

Storage and Battery Life: Practical Matters

Both cameras accept SD/SDHC/SDXC cards, a standard and flexible choice.

Battery life rated at 325 shots for Canon and 260 for Panasonic aligns with my experience of two full shooting days per charge for Canon and needing recharge or spare batteries a bit more often with Panasonic.

The Canon’s larger battery pack justifies its body weight to some degree, while Panasonic uses a smaller battery pack fitting its compact form.

Prices and Value: Stretching Every Dollar

At launch prices and current street values:

• Canon SX70 HS: approx. $550
• Panasonic ZS20: approx. $350

The Canon commands a premium reflecting newer technology, higher resolution, greater zoom reach, 4K video, EVF, and wireless connectivity.

The Panasonic offers excellent entry-level value for travelers or beginners wanting a compact superzoom with usable zoom and video.

Summary of Strengths and Weaknesses

Final Recommendations: Who Should Choose Which?

Choose Canon SX70 HS if you are a photography enthusiast or professional who:

• Needs extreme zoom reach for wildlife, sports, or distant landscapes
• Values high image quality with RAW support and better noise handling
• Wants a versatile, fully articulated screen and EVF for flexible composing
• Requires 4K video with external mic input for hybrid shooting
• Prefers faster, more reliable autofocus and face detection for portraits
• Doesn’t mind a larger, heavier camera and price premium

Its combination of powerful zoom, modern sensor, advanced video and connectivity make it a very capable all-rounder ideal for serious shooters on a budget-conscious level.

Choose Panasonic Lumix ZS20 if you are a casual user, traveler, or beginner who:

• Prioritizes compact, lightweight design for easy portability and pocket carry
• Wants fast, decent zoom without bulk for everyday travel or street photography
• Prefers touchscreen controls to physical dials or just wants simplicity
• Is content with 1080p video and doesn’t need external audio input
• Does not plan to do extensive post-processing (no RAW support)
• Values built-in GPS for geotagging adventures
• Needs the lowest possible price point for a superzoom camera

Despite its age and limitations, the ZS20 remains a practical companion for casual photographers wanting respectable zoom and simple operation without breaking the bank.

Closing Thoughts

Having used these cameras side-by-side, I understand the appeal of both but will confess my bias toward the Canon SX70 HS for its remarkable zoom, 4K video, and superior overall image quality. It’s a camera that empowers creativity across multiple genres with confidence.

That said, the Panasonic ZS20 is no slouch and serves as a lean, light travel kit that can introduce many to superzoom photography affordably.

Choosing between them ultimately depends on your priorities: image quality, zoom reach, and modern features versus portability and price. I hope my real-world insights and technical analysis give you clarity as you pursue your photographic passions.

Happy shooting!

Canon SX70 HS front Canon SX70 HS screen back Panasonic ZS20 front Panasonic ZS20 screen back