• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 560.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 20.3 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600

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Differences

Canon SX20 IS advantages over Panasonic GH5 II

  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 600 vs 410 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/500 vs 1/250 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 108 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Panasonic GH5 II advantages over Canon SX20 IS

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    4/3 vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 3.34 vs 1.54 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Shoot 4K video
    5K vs 720p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More dots on screen
    1840k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • More pixels
    20.3 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 15 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    12.0 fps vs 1.1 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/3200 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 3200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities

Common Weaknesses

  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter

User reviews

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  • Body Only
  • Kit with 12-35mm F2.8 Lens
  • Kit with 12-60mm Lens
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Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Canon SX10 IS

Canon SX20 IS
Canon SX10 IS
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • HDMI out
  • More pixels
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Faster JPEG shooting

Compare Canon SX20 IS vs Canon SX10 IS

Panasonic GH5 II
Canon SX10 IS
  • $1298
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Internal flash

Compare Panasonic GH5 II vs Canon SX10 IS

Compared to Canon SX1 IS

Canon SX20 IS
Canon SX1 IS
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $600
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • RAW file ability
  • Shoots 1080p video

Compare Canon SX20 IS vs Canon SX1 IS

Panasonic GH5 II
Canon SX1 IS
  • $1298
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
  • $600
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Internal flash
  • Higher max flash sync

Compare Panasonic GH5 II vs Canon SX1 IS

Compared to Panasonic DMC-FZ100

Canon SX20 IS
Panasonic DMC-FZ100
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $500
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • RAW file ability
  • Fast startup

Compare Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic DMC-FZ100

Panasonic GH5 II
Panasonic DMC-FZ100
  • $1298
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
  • $500
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Internal flash

Compare Panasonic GH5 II vs Panasonic DMC-FZ100

Compared to Leica V-LUX 2

Canon SX20 IS
Leica V-LUX 2
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Faster shutter
  • $850
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • RAW file ability
  • Manual focus

Compare Canon SX20 IS vs Leica V-LUX 2

Panasonic GH5 II
Leica V-LUX 2
  • $1298
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
  • $850
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Internal flash

Compare Panasonic GH5 II vs Leica V-LUX 2

Compared to Panasonic FZ150

Canon SX20 IS
Panasonic FZ150
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $498
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • RAW file ability
  • Manual focus

Compare Canon SX20 IS vs Panasonic FZ150

Panasonic GH5 II
Panasonic FZ150
  • $1298
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
  • $498
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Internal flash

Compare Panasonic GH5 II vs Panasonic FZ150

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