Panasonic ZS20 vs Canon SX280 HS

Cameras
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Panasonic ZS20 vs Canon SX280 HS

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1/2.33 inch 28.2mm²
14.1 megapixels
24.00mm - 480.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Panasonic ZS20 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the ZS20.

1/2.3 inch 28.1mm²
12.1 megapixels
25.00mm - 500.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Canon SX280 HS Review.
See real-world photos taken with the SX280 HS.

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Differences

Panasonic ZS20 advantages over Canon SX280 HS

Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

260 vs 210 shots
Capture more photos
More pixels
14.1 vs 12.1 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Longer exposure
60 vs 15 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos

Canon SX280 HS advantages over Panasonic ZS20

Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
Manual focus
Yes vs No
AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
Faster JPEG shooting
14.0 fps vs 10.0 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster shutter
1/3200 vs 1/2000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Both provide
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Built-in GPS
Both provide
Geotag your photos
Internal flash
Both provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
HDMI out
Both provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

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
Eye-level viewfinder
Neither provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
In-camera panoramas
Neither provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Tiltable Screen
Neither provide
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
RAW file ability
Neither provide
Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
Built-in Bluetooth
Neither provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
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
Hot shoe
Neither provide
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Headphone jack
Neither provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Bulb shutter
Neither provide
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

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Buy the Panasonic ZS20

Panasonic ZS20

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon SX280 HS

Canon SX280

Review Excerpt

Very long zoom lens; Full HD video; Great grip; Built-in GPS; HDR and Handheld Night Shot modes.
Poor image quality due to excessive noise suppression; Flash too close to the grip; No GPS logging; Battery only charges in the camera; Limited touchscreen.
Read our Panasonic ZS20 Express Review

We haven’t finished our review of the Canon SX280 HS, but we have extensive sample photos and a hands-on report.
See our Canon SX280 HS First Shots

The Competition

Compared to Panasonic ZS10

Panasonic ZS20

Panasonic ZS10

$217
1/2.33 inch

Less expensive
More telephoto lens reach

$214
1/2.33 inch

Built-in Wi-Fi
Faster shutter

Compare Panasonic ZS20 vs Panasonic ZS10

Canon SX280 HS

Panasonic ZS10

$300
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
More telephoto lens reach

$214
1/2.33 inch

Touchscreen
Longer stills battery life

Compare Canon SX280 HS vs Panasonic ZS10

Compared to Panasonic ZS8

Panasonic ZS20

Panasonic ZS8

$217
1/2.33 inch

Touchscreen
More telephoto lens reach

$259
1/2.33 inch

Fast startup
Longer stills battery life

Compare Panasonic ZS20 vs Panasonic ZS8

Canon SX280 HS

Panasonic ZS8

$300
1/2.3 inch

Built-in Wi-Fi
More telephoto lens reach

$259
1/2.33 inch

Less expensive
Longer stills battery life

Compare Canon SX280 HS vs Panasonic ZS8

Compared to Nikon S9100

Panasonic ZS20

Nikon S9100

$217
1/2.33 inch

Touchscreen
Built-in GPS

$254
1/2.3 inch

Slower slow-motion
In-camera panoramas

Compare Panasonic ZS20 vs Nikon S9100

Canon SX280 HS

Nikon S9100

$300
1/2.3 inch

Built-in Wi-Fi
Built-in GPS

$254
1/2.3 inch

In-camera panoramas
Longer stills battery life

Compare Canon SX280 HS vs Nikon S9100

Compared to Canon SX260 HS

Panasonic ZS20

Canon SX260 HS

$217
1/2.33 inch

Less expensive
Touchscreen

$480
1/2.3 inch

Slower slow-motion
Manual focus

Compare Panasonic ZS20 vs Canon SX260 HS

Canon SX280 HS

Canon SX260 HS

$300
1/2.3 inch

Built-in Wi-Fi
Shoots 60p video

$480
1/2.3 inch

Shoots 24p video
Slow-motion videos

Compare Canon SX280 HS vs Canon SX260 HS

Compared to Panasonic ZS19

Panasonic ZS20

Panasonic ZS19

$217
1/2.33 inch

Built-in GPS

$300
1/2.33 inch

Compare Panasonic ZS20 vs Panasonic ZS19

Canon SX280 HS

Panasonic ZS19

$300
1/2.3 inch

Built-in Wi-Fi
Built-in GPS

$300
1/2.33 inch

Touchscreen
Longer stills battery life

Compare Canon SX280 HS vs Panasonic ZS19

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