• 1/2.33 inch 28.2mm2
  • 10.1 megapixels
  • 30.00mm - 120.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • APS-C 328.6mm2
  • 10.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 1600

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Differences

Panasonic DMC-FS20 advantages over Canon XS

  • Less expensive
    $300 vs $700 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Thinner
    22 mm vs 61 mm
    Thinner
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Higher extended ISO
    6400 vs 1600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Canon XS advantages over Panasonic DMC-FS20

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1/2.33 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.71 vs 1.68 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 500 vs 280 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    2.9 fps vs 2.5 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    7 vs 3 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • 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
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • HDMI out
    Neither provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

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Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Sony DSC-W170

Panasonic DMC-FS20
Sony DSC-W170
  • $300
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Longer exposure
  • Faster JPEG shooting
  • $225
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Panasonic DMC-FS20 vs Sony DSC-W170

Canon XS
Sony DSC-W170
  • $440
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $225
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon XS vs Sony DSC-W170

Compared to Pentax K200D

Panasonic DMC-FS20
Pentax K200D
  • $300
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Panasonic DMC-FS20 vs Pentax K200D

Canon XS
Pentax K200D
  • $440
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon XS vs Pentax K200D

Compared to Fujifilm J150w

Panasonic DMC-FS20
Fujifilm J150w
  • $300
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Longer exposure
  • $200
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Panasonic DMC-FS20 vs Fujifilm J150w

Canon XS
Fujifilm J150w
  • $440
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $200
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner

Compare Canon XS vs Fujifilm J150w

Compared to Panasonic DMC-FS25S

Panasonic DMC-FS20
Panasonic DMC-FS25S
  • $300
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Faster JPEG shooting
  • $175
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Panasonic DMC-FS20 vs Panasonic DMC-FS25S

Canon XS
Panasonic DMC-FS25S
  • $440
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $175
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon XS vs Panasonic DMC-FS25S

Compared to Sony DSLR-A230

Panasonic DMC-FS20
Sony DSLR-A230
  • $300
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Panasonic DMC-FS20 vs Sony DSLR-A230

Canon XS
Sony DSLR-A230
  • $440
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor

Compare Canon XS vs Sony DSLR-A230

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